Dacre Montgomery Explains Why He Vanished from Hollywood at Peak Fame

Hey, I’m Avery Sinclair. Can’t wait to explain why Hollywood’s favorite punchy villain took off his headset and walked out of the studio lot. Spoiler: it was not for a reality show or influencer deals.

Dacre Montgomery, the Australian actor who turned heads as Billy Hargrove on Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, says he intentionally stepped out of the spotlight just when ride-or-die stardom kicked in. In a recent interview with The Australian, Montgomery offered a blunt take on modern celebrity culture, arguing that the mystique that once protected screen stars has been eroded by social media. “Traditional Hollywood stars existed because there was mystery,” he told the paper, adding that “social media has done away with that,” and that loss of mystery played a major role in why he “dropped off the map” for roughly five years.

Let’s be clear: Montgomery’s exit was not a tabloid freakout or an abrupt scandalous disappearance. He joined Stranger Things in season two, delivered a memorable, rage-fueled performance as Billy, and saw his character killed at the end of season three in July 2019. After that, he consciously chose a slower, more selective pace. “I’ve given a piece of myself to every role I’ve played,” Montgomery explained, which is why he felt the need to step back and recalibrate. His comments to The Australian make it obvious he wanted to control the narrative of his career rather than letting followers and algorithms do it for him.

Montgomery’s filmography is anything but brief filler. He played the Red Ranger in the 2017 Power Rangers reboot and took on Steve Binder in 2022’s Elvis, starring alongside Austin Butler. But instead of chasing blockbuster after blockbuster and posting staged candid moments, the 30-year-old actor told People that he is deliberately choosing projects that aim for emotional impact and longevity. His recent indie thriller, Went Up the Hill, is exactly the kind of divisive, art-forward piece he’s been pursuing. “It’s not a movie that everyone will connect to,” he admitted to People, “but the people that do connect to it, I hope, will find catharsis.” Translation: he’d rather move a few people deeply than please the masses superficially.

Montgomery is also flexing creative muscles behind the camera. Deadline reports he will make his directorial debut with The Engagement Party, a clear sign he’s trying to shape stories as well as star in them. He’s expected to act in that project, too, so he’s not abandoning acting — he’s just trying to do it on his own terms rather than as a content machine for likes and fleeting headlines.

There’s a pragmatism to his statements that doesn’t sound like self-indulgent artiste-speak. He told The Australian he’s not trying to “compete with anyone else” and is focused on “living my truth — and hopefully being able to pay the rent while I’m doing it.” That line is refreshingly honest for an industry that often trades candid admissions for curated mystique.

So what happened is straightforward: Montgomery got famous, realized fame now comes with relentless exposure and reduced mystery, and opted out of the default celebrity treadmill to pursue meaningful work and directorial ambitions. He’s not gone; he’s just steering the ship. Whether that means fewer selfies and more serious cinema, or slower fame with more artistic control, remains to be seen.

Keep an eye out: Montgomery’s directorial debut and indie projects could be the first signs of a more deliberate career arc, or just a transitional phase before the next big reboot. Either way, expect fewer curated glimpses of his life and more calculated creative moves.

Final note: Montgomery left the loud party and chose a quieter stage. That’s it. That’s the tea. Your move, Hollywood.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and The Australian, People Magazine, Deadline
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed