Who Plays Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy? The Actress Behind Marvel's Empathetic Alien
Here's a question that Marvel fans have asked since 2017: who is the actress behind those massive black eyes and delicate antennae, bringing to life one of the most endearing and unexpectedly powerful members of the Guardians of the Galaxy? The answer is French actress praying mantis enthusiast Pom Klementieff, whose portrayal of the empathic alien has captured hearts across the Marvel Cinematic Universe . But Klementieff's journey to becoming Mantis is far more dramatic than anything in the comics—a story of personal tragedy, international roots, and a determination that mirrors the resilience of the character she plays.
When Mantis first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, audiences were introduced to a character who seemed utterly out of place among the ragtag team of intergalactic misfits. Shy, innocent, and socially awkward, she stood in stark contrast to the bombastic Drax, the cynical Rocket, and the cocky Star-Lord. Yet within minutes, she became indispensable—not through combat prowess, but through her unique gift of empathy . The actress behind this beloved character has since appeared in multiple MCU films, becoming a fixture of the franchise. For fans wanting to explore more about mantises in popular culture, resources like free sample packs offer fascinating connections between these real insects and their fictional counterparts.
The Short Answer: Pom Klementieff Is Mantis
Let's address the core question directly: French actress Pom Klementieff plays Mantis in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Klementieff has portrayed the character in:
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) – Her debut as Mantis
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – Where she helps battle Thanos on Titan
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) – Participating in the final battle
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) – A cameo with the Guardians
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) – A leading role in the Disney+ special
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) – Her final appearance with the team
Klementieff's portrayal has been widely praised for bringing humor, innocence, and surprising depth to a character who could have been merely a quirky sidekick .
Who Is Pom Klementieff? The Woman Behind the Antennae
Understanding Klementieff's background reveals why she brings such authenticity to Mantis—a character who observes human emotions with wonder because she was denied emotional connection herself.
A Truly International Upbringing
Pom Alexandra Klementieff was born on May 3, 1986, in Quebec City, Canada, to a remarkable multicultural family . Her father was a French-Russian diplomat, and her mother is Korean. Her grandfather was the renowned Russian painter Eugène Klementieff .
Her parents chose the name "Pom" because it sounds similar to the Korean words for both "spring" (ë´„) and "tiger" (ë²”) . This poetic naming—combining gentleness and ferocity—would prove strangely appropriate for an actress who would later play a character embodying both empathy and strength.
Due to her father's diplomatic work, Klementieff spent her early years traveling extensively, living in Japan and the Ivory Coast before her family eventually settled in France .
A Life Marked by Tragedy
Behind Klementieff's luminous on-screen presence lies a history of profound loss. Her father died of cancer when she was just five years old . Her mother struggled with schizophrenia and was unable to care for children, so young Pom was raised by her paternal uncle and aunt .
Tragedy struck again when her beloved uncle—whom she described as "like my second father"—died on her 18th birthday . Then, devastatingly, her older brother died by suicide on her 25th birthday, just months before her breakthrough Hollywood audition .
Despite these overwhelming losses, Klementieff persevered. She briefly attended law school to appease her aunt but found the path unfulfilling. She worked as a waitress and saleswoman before discovering her true calling .
The Road to Becoming Mantis
Klementieff's path to the Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn't a straight line—it was forged through determination and a willingness to transform herself completely.
Early Training and French Cinema
At age 19, Klementieff enrolled at the prestigious Cours Florent drama school in Paris . Just months into her education, she won a theater competition that awarded her two years of free classes with the school's top teachers—an early sign of her exceptional talent .
Her first professional acting job came in the French independent film Après lui (2007), playing the stepdaughter of Catherine Deneuve's character . Her first leading role was in Loup (2009), a French film about reindeer herders in the Siberian mountains. During filming, Klementieff stayed in a remote camp where temperatures dropped well below zero, befriended nomads, worked with real wolves, rode reindeer, and swam with a horse in a lake . This willingness to immerse herself in challenging environments foreshadowed the dedication she would bring to her Marvel role.
Breaking Into Hollywood
Klementieff made her Hollywood debut in Spike Lee's Oldboy (2013), a remake of the acclaimed South Korean film . She portrayed Haeng-Bok, the bodyguard of the villain. A fan of the original film, Klementieff took boxing lessons after learning the role involved martial arts. She trained three hours daily for two months to prepare for an on-screen fight with star Josh Brolin—the same actor who would later play Thanos opposite her Mantis .
After Oldboy, Klementieff moved to Los Angeles and continued pursuing Hollywood roles. She continued her martial arts training and earned a purple belt in taekwondo . Her next role was in Hacker's Game (2015), where she played a hacker and even dyed her hair purple for the part over the directors' initial objections .
Landing the Role of a Lifetime
In 2017, Klementieff joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 . Director James Gunn saw in her the perfect combination of innocence, physical capability, and emotional depth needed for the character. The role would change her life forever, bringing worldwide recognition.
Mantis in the MCU: Character Evolution
Understanding Klementieff's portrayal requires appreciating how Mantis has evolved across multiple films.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017): Introduction
When audiences first meet Mantis, she's living as the servant and companion of Ego, the Living Planet . Her empathic abilities allow her to help Ego sleep, but she's isolated, lonely, and socially stunted—she's never even encountered another person like herself. Her awkward interactions with Drax provide some of the film's funniest moments, as his brutal honesty clashes with her complete lack of social experience.
By the film's end, Mantis chooses to help the Guardians defeat Ego, despite her loyalty to him, and becomes a member of the team .
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Endgame (2019): Rising to the Challenge
In Infinity War, Mantis accompanies the Guardians to Titan, where she plays a crucial role in the plan to subdue Thanos . Her empathic powers are strong enough to temporarily put the Mad Titan to sleep—a feat that nearly succeeds until Star-Lord's emotional outburst ruins the attempt. She's one of the victims of the Blip, turning to dust alongside many others.
Endgame sees her restored to life and participating in the massive final battle against Thanos's armies .
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
In Love and Thunder, Mantis appears briefly with the Guardians in the opening sequence . But it's The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special where Klementieff truly shines. The special centers on Mantis and Drax traveling to Earth to give Star-Lord the perfect Christmas gift: Kevin Bacon. More importantly, Mantis reveals to Peter that she is also Ego's daughter—making them half-siblings. This revelation adds profound depth to both characters and explains why Mantis felt such an immediate connection to the Guardians.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023): A Bittersweet Farewell
In the trilogy's conclusion, Mantis steps into a leadership role. When the team faces its greatest crisis, she demonstrates courage, loyalty, and surprising combat abilities. By the film's end, she chooses to leave the Guardians and embark on her own journey of self-discovery with the Abilisks—creatures she befriends using her empathic powers. It's a fitting end for a character who began as a servant and ended as a free being, choosing her own path.
The Character of Mantis: From Comics to Screen
The Mantis of the MCU differs significantly from her comic book counterpart, and understanding these differences illuminates Klementieff's achievement.
Comic Book Origins
In Marvel Comics, Mantis first appeared in The Avengers #112 (June 1973), created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Don Heck . Her origin is considerably more complex: she's the daughter of a Vietnamese mother and German father, raised by alien Kree priests who believed she might become the "Celestial Madonna" destined to give birth to the "Celestial Messiah."
Comic Mantis is a master martial artist with empathic powers and the ability to communicate with plants. She's been a member of both the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics, and her romantic history includes connections to the Swordsman, Kang the Conqueror, and even the Silver Surfer .
MCU Adaptations
The MCU streamlined Mantis considerably. She's no longer connected to the Kree or the Celestial Madonna prophecy. Instead, she's simply an orphan raised by Ego, with empathic powers but no martial arts training. Her personality is innocent, naive, and endearingly awkward—a stark contrast to the confident, complex comic version .
Klementieff's performance makes these changes work. Her Mantis is so genuine and vulnerable that audiences immediately connect with her, even without the comic book backstory.
Klementieff's Performance: What Makes Her Mantis Special
Critics and fans alike have praised Klementieff's portrayal. Here's what makes her Mantis stand out:
Physical Comedy
Despite her empathic powers, Mantis is physically awkward—she moves stiffly, reacts with exaggerated expressions, and seems unsure how to occupy space. Klementieff's physical comedy is precise and hilarious, particularly in her interactions with Drax. The scene where she laughs hysterically at his jokes (because she can feel his amusement, not because she understands them) is a masterclass in physical acting.
Emotional Authenticity
Mantis feels others' emotions so intensely that she often seems overwhelmed by them. Klementieff conveys this through subtle facial expressions and body language. When Mantis touches someone, we believe she's experiencing their feelings because Klementieff shows us .
Character Growth
Over six appearances, Klementieff shows Mantis growing from a frightened servant to a confident hero. The evolution is gradual and believable. By Vol. 3, she's capable of leading and making difficult decisions—but she's still recognizably the same sweet, awkward alien we met years ago.
Chemistry with the Cast
Mantis's relationships with other Guardians form the emotional core of her story. Her bond with Drax, in particular, is one of the MCU's most unlikely and endearing friendships. Klementieff and Dave Bautista have genuine comic chemistry, playing off each other's strengths. Her revelation that she's Peter Quill's half-sister adds emotional weight to her connection with Chris Pratt's character.
Beyond Mantis: Klementieff's Other Roles
While Mantis is her most famous role, Klementieff has built an impressive career beyond the MCU.
Black Mirror
In 2019, Klementieff appeared in the "Striking Vipers" episode of Netflix's Black Mirror, playing Roxette, a character in a virtual reality fighting game . The role allowed her to showcase different dramatic range.
Uncut Gems
Also in 2019, she had a small role in the Safdie brothers' critically acclaimed thriller Uncut Gems, starring Adam Sandler .
Westworld
In 2020, Klementieff joined the cast of HBO's Westworld for its third season, playing Martel, a high-ranking Delos employee .
The Suicide Squad
Klementieff reunited with James Gunn for The Suicide Squad (2021), appearing in an uncredited cameo as a dancer .
Mission: Impossible Franchise
She joined the Mission: Impossible franchise as Paris, appearing in Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) and set to return for The Final Reckoning (2025) .
Mantis's Powers and Abilities in the MCU
For those curious about the character herself, Mantis possesses distinct abilities that Klementieff brings to life:
Empathy
Mantis can sense the emotions and feelings of others through physical touch . This ability allows her to understand what people are feeling even when they hide it. In Vol. 2, she senses Drax's grief beneath his laughter, creating an unexpected connection between them.
Emotional Manipulation
Beyond sensing emotions, Mantis can also influence them . She can calm people down, put them to sleep, or even temporarily control them. Her most significant feat is putting Thanos to sleep on Titan.
Physical Characteristics
Mantis has antennae that twitch when she uses her powers . She's shorter than most Guardians (Klementieff is 5'1" in real life) . And despite her gentle nature, she's surprisingly resilient, surviving situations that would harm ordinary beings.
Common Questions About Mantis and Klementieff
Fans often wonder about specific details regarding both character and actress.
Is Mantis related to Star-Lord?
Yes! The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special reveals that Mantis is also Ego's daughter, making her Peter Quill's half-sister. This revelation adds emotional depth to their relationship and explains why she felt such an immediate connection to the Guardians.
Why does Mantis call herself "this one"?
Mantis refers to herself in the third person as "this one" because she was raised in isolation by Ego and never developed normal social language patterns . It's a character choice that emphasizes her naivety and isolation.
Is Pom Klementieff actually Korean?
Klementieff is of mixed heritage—her mother is Korean, and her father was French-Russian . She was raised primarily in France and speaks fluent French and English.
How old is Pom Klementieff?
She was born May 3, 1986, making her 39 years old .
Will Mantis return to the MCU?
While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked the end of this iteration of the team, Mantis's story concluded with her leaving to find herself. Whether she'll appear in future MCU projects remains unannounced, but Klementieff has expressed openness to returning.
Conclusion: The Perfect Match of Actress and Character
So, who plays Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy? The answer is Pom Klementieff—a French actress of Korean and Russian-French heritage whose journey from tragedy to triumph mirrors the resilience of the character she portrays . Through six MCU appearances, Klementieff transformed Mantis from a quirky sidekick into one of the franchise's most beloved characters, bringing humor, heart, and unexpected depth to a role that could have been merely comic relief .
Klementieff's Mantis taught us that empathy is a superpower, that found family is real family, and that even the most awkward among us can become heroes. Her performance reminds us that the best superheroes aren't always the ones who punch the hardest—sometimes they're the ones who feel the deepest.
As Mantis herself might say: This one is grateful for the actress who brought her to life. And fans everywhere share that gratitude.