Last updated on: July 26, 2025
Imagine this: You’re scrolling through Netflix, looking for something new to binge. Suddenly, you see My Life with the Walter Boys—and bam! You’re hooked. That’s the Nikki Rodriguez effect. She’s not just another actress in the lineup. She’s the kind of performer who makes you pause, feel, and think. And honestly? She’s just getting started.
What If We Could Rank Her Roles—For Real?
What if I told you there was a way to figure out which of her performances are the best—not just by fan hype or press buzz, but with real numbers? That’s exactly what we’re doing here. We took IMDb ratings and multiplied them by how many people voted. Why? Because it tells us not only how good something is but also how many people care.
Let’s take a walk through Nikki’s top 7 performances—the ones that defined her journey, won hearts, and sparked some serious buzz. I’ll break down what makes each one special, not like a critic, but like a friend who can’t wait to share a great find.
Why Nikki’s the One to Watch
Before she was headlining her own Netflix series, Nikki was quietly making waves. You may have seen her as the sharp, grounded character in Back to Lyla or caught her in a one-off appearance in Speechless or Adam Ruins Everything. Those moments? Tiny glimpses of big potential.
What I really admire about Nikki is her honesty on screen. She doesn’t overact. She doesn’t chase drama for the sake of it. Whether she’s playing a city girl thrown into cowboy country or a high school girlfriend with a bit of sass, she brings realness to every line.
And here’s the kicker—she’s not just a performer. She’s also tried her hand at producing, which tells you she’s in this for the long haul. That mix of creativity and hustle? That’s rare.
How We Ranked These (And Why It Makes Sense)
Okay, let me explain the method behind the madness. We didn’t just slap a list together. We went full nerd with it—IMDb rating × number of votes. That way, we’re not just talking about how good something was on paper, but also how many people actually watched, loved, and cared enough to leave a review.
It’s kind of like this: Imagine two restaurants. One has a perfect 5-star rating from 5 people. The other? A solid 4.5 stars from 10,000 reviews. Which one would you trust for dinner? Exactly.
So yes, this list reflects what really resonated with people. And where votes were low (because, let’s be honest, short films don’t usually rack up numbers), we looked at career significance too. Because sometimes, the smallest roles spark the biggest growth.
Nikki Rodriguez’s Top 7 Performances
1: My Life with the Walter Boys
Let’s start with the obvious. If you haven’t seen My Life with the Walter Boys yet, drop everything and go watch it. Nikki plays Jackie Howard, a New York teen thrown into rural chaos with eleven boys under one roof. Sounds like a mess, right? It is—but the best kind.
Her performance is the heartbeat of the show. You feel every bit of her loss, confusion, and slow-burn attraction. And the best part? She never overdoes it. There’s a softness to Jackie that makes her real, relatable.
The audience clearly agrees—over 1.9 million IMDb votes and counting. It’s the kind of breakout role every young actress dreams of, and Nikki totally nails it. It’s not just her most visible project; it’s the one that solidified her as a lead.
2: On My Block (Season 4, 2021)
Let’s be real: jumping into the final season of an already beloved show is no small task. Fans are invested. But Nikki pulled it off as Vero, Cesar’s girlfriend, shaking up dynamics and drawing some pretty loud opinions from die-hard shippers.
Sure, she was the “new girl,” but she held her ground. Vero wasn’t there to be liked—she was there to be real. And Nikki brought depth to a character who could’ve been brushed off as a plot device. Instead, she added complexity to the story.
This role introduced her to an already huge Netflix audience, laying the groundwork for her next big move. It was short, spicy, and significant.
3: Back to Lyla (2022/2023)
This indie gem didn’t make headlines, but it gave Nikki the space to stretch. She plays Sarah, a calming presence amid the emotional storm of a road-trip love story. The film explores grief, regret, and the need for closure—all the messy stuff we try to outrun.
Sarah isn’t the lead, but she matters. She anchors scenes. She listens. She makes you feel like there’s hope after heartbreak. It’s the kind of role that’s easy to overlook unless you’re paying attention.
I see this film as Nikki’s artistic warm-up. The audience may have been smaller, but her talent came through loud and clear.
4: Speechless (2019, Guest Role)
Network TV is a whole different beast. In Speechless, Nikki played Madison in a single episode, and while it was just a blip on the timeline, it mattered. Think of it like her stepping onto a new kind of stage, figuring out how to be funny without losing sincerity.
Speechless was known for its clever writing and heart, and Nikki fit right in. That’s not easy in a one-episode guest spot. But she pulled it off, showing a different side of herself.
These kinds of roles are important. They’re like open mics for actors. Not flashy, but they build grit. And Nikki made the most of it.
5: Adam Ruins Everything (2019, Guest Role)
Now this one was fun. Nikki popped up as Brie in Adam Ruins Everything, a show that basically ruins every myth you’ve ever believed—in the most entertaining way possible. Quick pacing. Smart dialogue. Fast jokes.
It’s not easy to jump into that kind of energy, but Nikki managed. She proved she could do brainy comedy and still hold the camera’s focus. It was a small role, sure. But it was sharp. And it hinted at her range beyond drama.
If I had to pick a moment where I thought, “Okay, she can literally do anything,” it might be this one.
6: Bunny Run (2020, Short Film)
This one hits different. Nikki didn’t just act in Bunny Run—she produced it. Let that sink in. She wasn’t waiting for roles. She was making them. That says a lot about her mindset.
The film itself is raw and intense, centered on Mackenzie, a young woman in a high-pressure survival situation. And Nikki nails the urgency. There’s no overthinking—just instinct. It’s a short, but it leaves a lasting impact.
Honestly? This is where you see her future as a storyteller. Not just a face on screen, but a force behind it.
7: Roadkill (2018, Short Film)
Everyone starts somewhere. For Nikki, that somewhere was Roadkill, a gritty short film where she played Tammy. It’s the kind of early project most actors look back on with mixed feelings—small budget, tight crew, lots of learning.
But even in those early steps, you can see flickers of her presence. Her ability to make a moment feel lived-in. And yeah, maybe it’s not streaming on Netflix, but it’s part of the journey.
Roadkill isn’t just a title. It’s a reminder that every star has a starting line.
Honorable Mentions
Can’t forget about Father. and This Land Is Your Land, two more short films Nikki took on before her bigger roles came calling. These don’t have ratings or massive views, but they show her commitment to the work—story-first, ego-second.
They’re the quiet seeds planted before the big bloom. And they’re worth mentioning because they prove Nikki isn’t in this for the flash. She’s here for the craft.
What’s Next for Nikki?
Let’s talk future. With Walter Boys season 2 on the way and her star still rising, Nikki’s got momentum. And not the overhyped, here-today-gone-tomorrow kind. Real, grounded, audience-backed momentum.
She’s already proven she can lead, support, surprise, and produce. That opens up a world of possibilities. Bigger films. Grittier dramas. Maybe even a directorial debut? Who knows. What’s clear is that she’s not waiting for permission—she’s building her own stage.
And in a time when we need more authentic, diverse stories on screen, Nikki’s voice is not just welcome—it’s necessary.
Final Thoughts
So here’s the bottom line: Nikki Rodriguez isn’t just “one to watch”—she’s one to follow. Her journey isn’t just about ratings or roles. It’s about growth. And grit. And showing up again and again, better every time.
If you’re new to her work, start with Walter Boys. Then backtrack. Watch the short films. See the evolution. Trust me—you’ll want to say you knew her before everyone else did.
