As much as the horror genre is appreciated around the world, it happens, from time to time, to underestimate the artistic value behind it. The immediate thrills in these movies; blood-curling plot twists, jump scares, and shocking finales – tend to overshadow other elements, one of these being the intense performances within them.
Nevertheless, a few powerful portrayals managed to steal the scenes and become career-defining moments for some horror movie actors. They earned the recognition they deserved. For instance, few would claim that Jack Nicholson’s unhinged performance in The Shining is underrated. However, many others, for various reasons, have fallen victim to the genre’s tendency to overlook its quieter elements. These performances, despite being captivating and intense, have been buried either under the films’ exterior spectacle or shock factors. As a consequence, they remain underrated gems of horror films.
10
Emily Blunt
A Quiet Place (2018)
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Although A Quiet Place is a widely recognized movie, praised by critics and audiences alike, it might be easy to ignore the shockingly good performance of Emily Blunt. Since the film emerged as an atypical horror movie exploring profound themes such as family bonds, disability, and what it means to be a parent, perhaps the portrayals of the actors ended up being less discussed.
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9.8/10
A Quiet Place
PG-13
A Quiet Place takes place in a world ravaged by predatory alien beings with ultra-sensitive hearing. With humanity on the brink of extinction, the Abbott family has managed to carve out a delicate survival by living in total silence, but with a baby on the way, their tentative peace seems more fragile than ever. A Quiet Place stars John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe and is directed by Krasinski.
Runtime
90 Minutes
Budget
$17 million
Studio(s)
Platinum Dunes
, Sunday Night Productions
The fact that, for the most part of the movie, the characters must force themselves to remain silent for their survival, the performances heavily rely on the actors’ ability to express a wide range of emotions through their facial expressions and body language. Although all the interpreters did a marvelous job, Blunt, as a grieving mother pregnant with her fourth child, captured so many different feelings and thoughts with only the little opportunity she was given that the audience ended up feeling every ounce of her pain, fear, and resilience.
9
Essie Davis
The Babadook (2014)
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The Babadook is not simply a horror story, but an in-depth exploration of grief from the perspective of a widowed woman and her son. As a consequence, the story required not simply hysterical screams and wide-eyed stares at the camera, but also a more subdued yet still emotionally charged performance that could both shock and move the audience.
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And this is what Essie Davis masterfully delivered. Although The Babadook is recognized nowadays as a classic psychological horror movie and praised for its empathetic depiction of loss through the use of a terrifying supernatural element, Davis’ performance is slightly overlooked.
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6/10
The Babadook
R
The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent, explores the struggles of a single mother grieving her husband’s death while confronting her son’s fear of a lurking monster. As they contend with this unseen entity, the sinister presence grows increasingly pervasive in their lives.
Release Date
November 28, 2014
Cast
Essie Davis
, Noah Wiseman
, Hayley McElhinney
, Daniel Henshall
, Barbara West
, Ben Winspear
, Cathy Adamek
, Craig Behenna
, Hachi
, Tim Purcell
, Chloe Hurn
, Jacquy Phillips
, Bridget Walters
, Adam Morgan
, Pippa Wanganeen
, Peta Shannon
, Michelle Nightingale
, Tony Mack
, Carmel Johnson
, Michael Gilmour
, Craig McArdle
, Terence Crawford
, Tiffany Lyndall-Knight
, Lucy Hong
, Sophie Riggs
, John Maurice
, Stephen Sheehan
, Alicia Zorkovic
, Lotte Crawford
, Chris Roberts
, Annie Batten
Director
Jennifer Kent
Writers
Jennifer Kent
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The actress did not have an easy job. Her character is a woman who is so deeply burdened by the trauma she endured yet, as a mother, cannot afford to fall apart. Davis was able to capture the many layers of Amelia. Her performance is definitely a hidden gem in horror movies.
8
Rebecca Hall
The Night House (2020)
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As a high-school teacher who recently lost her husband to suicide, the role of Beth in The Night House required an emotional awareness and control that Rebecca Hall was able to achieve. Her portrayal was nothing short of mesmerizing. Between the unfiltered and hopeless intensity of grief and the paralyzing fear of the unknown, all of this while attempting to unravel the mysteries behind her husband’s death, Hall was given so much emotional baggage. Yet, she captured every single nuance of it.
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9/10
The Night House
R
Beth grapples with grief after her husband Owen’s suicide. Haunted by Owen’s cryptic note and eerie occurrences, she delves into a disturbing revelation about her past. As she uncovers Owen’s dark secrets, Beth confronts supernatural forces and confronts her own mortality. With her sanity at stake, Beth faces a perilous journey to unravel the truth behind Owen’s actions and confront the entity known as “Nothing.” In a battle between life and death, Beth must find the strength to defy the sinister forces threatening her existence.
Release Date
July 16, 2021
Runtime
108 minutes
Cast
Stacy Martin
, Sarah Goldberg
, Vondie Curtis-Hall
, Evan Jonigkeit
, Rebecca Hall
Director
David Bruckner
Beth’s dramatic journey as a skeptical woman, driven by anguish and an incessant need for closure, is as heartbreaking as it is captivating. Her performance gives the narrative a raw authenticity to the film’s supernatural elements, making the audience feel deeply immersed in a surreal story. Hall’s underrated performance in this The Conjuring-like horror movie deserves more recognition.
7
Jessie Buckley
Men (2022)
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There is so much to say about the artistic and political value of Men, a modern body horror movie that shines through the heartfelt performance of Jessie Buckley. The emotional journey of her character is indeed one of the highlights of the story. Harper, an abuse survivor and traumatized widow who decides to go on vacation to a countryside village, is a painfully intense character to bring to life.
Nevertheless, the actress is able to capture her tragic core in a beautifully haunting manner.
From a distressing past that keeps tormenting her to a present where she seeks solace and, instead, it takes her into a spiraling nightmare, Buckley plays a woman trapped in a never-ending cycle of violence and abuse. Despite the surreal elements and supernatural plot twists within the story, the character of Harper feels deeply real and grounded, thanks to Buckley’s ability to infuse her performance with an unsettling honesty.
6
Isabelle Fuhrman
Orphan (2009)
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It is easy to forget that Isabelle Fuhrman was barely 11 when she played one of the most terrifying characters in the history of horror. In Orphan, her portrayal as Esther is hauntingly chilling, and the age factor only makes her performance more impressive. Fuhrman perfectly captures the duality of a character who, behind a youthful appearance, conceals an obscure secret.
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The Orphan
R
HorrorMysteryThriller
The Orphan is a psychological horror film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Released in 2009, it follows the story of a couple, Kate and John, who adopt a mysterious nine-year-old girl named Esther after losing their infant child. As Esther integrates into the family, Kate begins to suspect that there is more to Esther than meets the eye, leading to increasingly sinister and alarming events.
Release Date
July 24, 2009
Cast
Vera Farmiga
, Peter Sarsgaard
, Isabelle Fuhrman
, CCH Pounder
, Aryana Engineer
, Jimmy Bennett
, Margo Martindale
, Karel Roden
, Rosemary Dunsmore
, Jamie Young
, Lorry Ayers
, Brendan Wall
, Genelle Williams
Director
Jaume Collet-Serra
Throughout the movie, both the character and her interpreter attempt to deceive the people who encounter and observe them. However, exactly as Eshter is aware of how to manipulate her surroundings and drop the innocent child’s mask when needed, Fuhrman also gives subtle hints of her inner darkness to the viewers, reminding them they are watching a horror. Between a sweet smile and an icy gaze, Fuhrman is able to terrify everyone in this true-story-based horror movie.
5
Luis Tosar
Sleep Tight (2011)
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Sleep Tight is a masterpiece of psychological suspense. The nature of the movie heavily relies on the exploration of its main character’s disturbed and unraveling psyche. As a consequence, the performance of the actor was one of the most significant contributing factors to the success of the film.
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7/10
Sleep Tight
CrimeDramaThriller
Sleep Tight is a Spanish psychological thriller that follows the story of César, a Barcelona apartment building concierge who secretly harbors a sinister obsession: making the tenants’ lives miserable. The film delves deep into César’s psychopathy, particularly focusing on his obsession with Clara, a cheerful and unsuspecting resident. Directed by Jaume Balagueró, the film is a chilling exploration of a man who seeks happiness through the misery of others.
Release Date
October 14, 2011
Runtime
102 Minutes
Cast
Luis Tosar
, Marta Etura
, Alberto San Juan
, Pep Tosar
, Petra Martinez
, Iris Almeida
Director
Jaume Balagueró
Fortunately, Luis Tosar perfectly nailed his role as Cesar, the troubled concierge driven by a highly questionable motive. What truly stands out about Tosar’s delivery is the subtlety of his acting.
His skill at hiding behind the mundane while very gradually showing glimpses of the brutality that characterizes him is as chilling as it is impressive.
His character does not look like a traditional horror villain, and there is almost a polite demeanor in him. His skill at hiding behind the mundane while very gradually showing glimpses of the brutality that characterizes him is as chilling as it is impressive. The silent intensity of Tosar’s performance perfectly adapts to the suspenseful tone of the movie, making his work an underrated gem of the horror genre.
4
Sarah Paulson
Run (2020)
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Sarah Paulson has proven many times to be an amazing scream queen. However, her widely recognized work with the immensely popular series American Horror Story might unfairly overshadow her performance in Run, the psychological horror that shocked the audience with its disturbing themes of parental control and obsessiveness. The movie owes its success partially to Paulson’s enigmatic performance as Diane.
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Run
Drama
Run, released in March 2020, follows a former boy racer who now works at a fish factory. Confronting the stagnation in his life, he takes his son’s car for one last joyride, grappling with the impact on his family and the love that remains.
Release Date
March 12, 2020
Runtime
78 minutes
Cast
Amy Manson
, Mark Stanley
, Marli Siu
, Anders Hayward
, Scott Murray
Director
Scott Graham
The shocking plot twists of Run worked so well because of the actress’ deceptive skills, both behind the screen and with the public. As the character deceives herself, Paulson tricks the audience into believing what Diane wants (and needs) her daughter and the viewer to believe. The sweetly manipulative and controlling nuances that emerge from the role build a terrifying combination that confuses the audience. Paulson’s underrated work in this horror is a stand-out performance.
3
Megan Fox
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
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Although Megan Fox blamed herself for the flop of 2009’s Jennifer’s Body, the problem was not her work, but the negative image the audience seemed to have of her at the time. Because, against all odds, her underrated performance in this creative horror is worth revisiting. Exactly like the character Jennifer, who conceals a dark truth behind her beautiful appearance, Fox reveals an unexpected inner depth throughout the film, a quality that her previous roles failed to explore since they focused more on her sexual allure.
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3/10
7/10
Jennifer’s Body
R
HorrorComedy
Directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Diablo Cody, Jennifer’s Body is a horror-comedy film starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. When a newly possessed high school cheerleader (Fox) turns into a succubus specializing in seducing and killing her male classmates, her best friend (Seyfried) is the only thing that stands in the way of her sultry killing spree.
Release Date
September 18, 2009
Runtime
102 minutes
Cast
Megan Fox
, Adam Brody
, J. K. Simmons
, Johnny Simmons
, Amanda Seyfried
As a typical high-school mean girl, Jennifer is a fun character to bring to the screen, and the actress’ effortless wit perfectly nailed the comedic and snarky bits. However, as a male-eating monster with psychopathic tendencies, driven by insatiable hunger and on an ego trip throughout the whole movie, the portrayal assumes a blood-curling side that, once again, Fox can capture. Her multifaceted acting and ability to switch from superficial teen queen to bloodthirsty assassin to unlucky victim is a testament to Fox’s underrated yet magnetic performance in this horror cult.
2
Anya Taylor-Joy
The Witch (2015)
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After her international success with The Queen’s Gambit and her exceptional acting in the more recent The Menu, it might be easy to forget that, at the beginning of her career, Anya Taylor-Joy was no less talented (and mesmerizing). In The Witch, the actress’ performance as Thomasin, an apparently simple girl from the 17th century who lives on a farm with her conservative Puritan family, left the audience in shock.
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7/10
14
9.3/10
The Witch
R
Horror
Distributed by A24, The Witch marks the feature directorial debut of Robert Eggers and the first film appearance of Anya Taylor-Joy. Written by Eggers, The Witch follows a puritanical family in New England in the 1630s who are forced to leave their community after a religious dispute. Attempting to set up a farm in the New England countryside, the family soon find themselves beset by malevolent and supernatural forces beyond their comprehension.
Release Date
February 19, 2016
Runtime
92minutes
Cast
Kate Dickie
, Wahab Chaudhry
, Ellie Grainger
, Ralph Ineson
, Sarah Stephens
, Lucas Dawson
, Anya Taylor-Joy
, Bathsheba Garnett
, Harvey Scrimshaw
, Julian Richings
Writers
Robert Eggers
Anya Taylor-Joy is amazing at balancing her character between her initial youthful innocence and the downward spiral of anger and moral degradation that she embarks on, depicting Thomasin’s tragic journey with meticulous attention to each stage she goes through. The way she can elicit such contrasting feelings, from pity to concern and from sympathy to sheer terror, is a testament to her impeccable talent. Her underrated performance in the horror movie still stands out.
1
John Goodman
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
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There is something deeply unsettling about an actor who delves into the unpredictability of his role so well that he ends up confusing the audience as much as the characters behind the scenes. John Goodman as Howard in 10 Cloverfield Lane is an example of this. It is scarily ingenious the way Goodman leads the viewers to constantly second-guess themselves, caught in endless doubt about who is truly Howard.
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8/10
10 Cloverfield Lane
PG-13
From Dan Trachtenberg, 10 Cloverfield Lane follows Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a young woman who awakens after a car crash in a bunker alongside two strangers. Howard (John Goodman) tells her that it’s not safe to leave, and that he saved her life, but Michelle becomes increasingly suspicious of Howard’s motives and his past and begins to plan a daring escape to see what exactly has happened to the outside world.
Release Date
March 10, 2016
Runtime
103 Minutes
Main Genre
Thriller
Cast
John Goodman
, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
, John Gallagher Jr.
, Douglas M. Griffin
, Suzanne Cryer
, Bradley Cooper
Director
Dan Trachtenberg
Writers
Josh Campbell
, Matthew Stuecken
, Damien Chazelle
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The actor’s role blurs the line between a completely deranged man who is prey to a dangerously paranoid breakdown and a good Samaritan trying to do the right thing. Goodman toys on the border, giving life to an incredibly multifaceted performance that is impossible to forget. The ambiguity behind Howard’s gazes is captured to perfection, leaving the audience constantly on edge. John Goodman delivered an underrated yet haunting performance in this horror movie.