Mónica Lairana
- Actress
- Writer
- Producer

Mónica Beatriz Lairana Navas, known by Mónica Lairana, is an Argentine actress, director, screenwriter, and producer.
She grew up in Olivos, Buenos Aires, with Bolivian parents. Her mother, Rosario, worked as a dressmaker in La Paz, and her father, Roberto, was a musician from Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Showing an early passion for performance, Lairana began acting at age five and pursued formal training at fourteen under Manuel Macarini and Isaac Eisen at Irma Roys school. She later honed her craft with Raúl Serrano, completing her studies in 2001.
Lairanas career took root in Argentinas film industry, where she progressed from minor roles to significant projects. She gained notice for her performance in She Wolf (2013), an erotic thriller directed by Tamae Garateguy, where she played one of three actresses embodying a complex serial killer. The films provocative themes drew attention, and Lairanas role showcased her ability to navigate intense characters. She also appeared in The Boss, Anatomy of a Crime (2014), a drama delving into social and criminal issues, demonstrating her range. Lairana wrote and starred in The Bed (2018), an independent film praised for its emotional depth. In Karnawal (2020), directed by Juan Pablo Félix, she portrayed a mother in a coming-of-age story rooted in Argentine cultural traditions, adding nuance to the narrative. She continues to act and produce, with credits in short films like Rosa (2010), which screened at international festivals. No major awards or advocacy initiatives are widely documented, nor is she publicly linked to entrepreneurial ventures.
Lairanas influence in Argentine independent cinema stems from her compelling performances in character-driven stories. Her work in films like She Wolf and The Bed has sparked conversations about bold, unconventional narratives, contributing to the visibility of Latin American cinema on a global stage.
She grew up in Olivos, Buenos Aires, with Bolivian parents. Her mother, Rosario, worked as a dressmaker in La Paz, and her father, Roberto, was a musician from Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Showing an early passion for performance, Lairana began acting at age five and pursued formal training at fourteen under Manuel Macarini and Isaac Eisen at Irma Roys school. She later honed her craft with Raúl Serrano, completing her studies in 2001.
Lairanas career took root in Argentinas film industry, where she progressed from minor roles to significant projects. She gained notice for her performance in She Wolf (2013), an erotic thriller directed by Tamae Garateguy, where she played one of three actresses embodying a complex serial killer. The films provocative themes drew attention, and Lairanas role showcased her ability to navigate intense characters. She also appeared in The Boss, Anatomy of a Crime (2014), a drama delving into social and criminal issues, demonstrating her range. Lairana wrote and starred in The Bed (2018), an independent film praised for its emotional depth. In Karnawal (2020), directed by Juan Pablo Félix, she portrayed a mother in a coming-of-age story rooted in Argentine cultural traditions, adding nuance to the narrative. She continues to act and produce, with credits in short films like Rosa (2010), which screened at international festivals. No major awards or advocacy initiatives are widely documented, nor is she publicly linked to entrepreneurial ventures.
Lairanas influence in Argentine independent cinema stems from her compelling performances in character-driven stories. Her work in films like She Wolf and The Bed has sparked conversations about bold, unconventional narratives, contributing to the visibility of Latin American cinema on a global stage.