10 Most Underrated Performances in Horror Films

As much as the horror genre is appreciated all over the world, it happens, from time to time, to underestimate the artistic value behind it. The immediate emotions in these films; Chilling plot twists, jump scares, and shocking endings - tend to overshadow other elements, one of them being the intense performances within them.

However, some powerful portrayals have managed to steal scenes and become career-defining moments for some horror film actors. They gained the recognition they deserved. For example, few would argue that Jack Nicholson's unhinged performance in The Shining is underestimated. However, many others, for various reasons, have fallen victim to the genre's tendency to ignore its calmer elements. These performances, despite being captivating and intense, were buried by the external spectacle of the films or by shock factors. As a consequence, they remain underrated horror movie gems.

10

Emily Blunt

A Quiet Place (2018)

Although A peaceful place is a widely recognized film praised by critics and audiences alike, it can be easy to overlook Emily Blunt's surprisingly good performance. As the film emerged as an atypical horror film exploring deep themes such as family ties, disability and what it means to be a father, perhaps the actors' portrayals ended up being less discussed.

The fact that, for most of the film, the characters must force themselves to remain silent to survive, Performances rely heavily on actors' ability to express a wide range of emotions through their facial expressions and body language. Although all the performers did a wonderful 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)

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 result, the story required not only hysterical screams and wide-eyed looks at the camera, but also a more subdued but still emotionally charged performance that could shock and move the audience.

And that's what Essie Davis delivered masterfully. Although The Babadook is today recognized as a classic psychological horror film and praised for its empathetic depiction of loss through the use of a terrifying supernatural element, Davis' performance is slightly overlooked.

The actress did not have an easy job. Her character is a woman who is deeply overwhelmed by the trauma she has suffered but, as a mother, cannot afford to fall apart. Davis was able to capture Amelia's many layers. His performance is definitely a hidden gem in horror films.

8

Rebecca Hall

The Night House (2020)

As a high school teacher who recently lost her husband to suicide, Beth's role in The Night House it required an emotional awareness and control that Rebecca Hall was able to achieve. His portrayal was nothing short of mesmerizing. Between the unfiltered, desperate intensity of the pain and the paralyzing fear of the unknown, all while trying to unravel the mysteries behind her husband's death, Hall was given a lot of emotional baggage. However, she captured every nuance of it.

Beth's dramatic journey as a skeptical woman, driven by anguish and an incessant need for closure, is as moving as it is captivating. His performance lends 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 Conjuration-as a horror film it deserves more recognition.

7

Jessie Buckley

Men (2022)

There is much to say about the artistic and political value of Mena modern body horror film that shines in Jessie Buckley's heartfelt performance. Her character's emotional journey is indeed one of the highlights of the story. Harper, an abuse survivor and traumatized widow who decides to go on vacation to a country village, is a painfully intense character to bring to life.

From a harrowing past that continues to torment her to a present where she seeks solace and instead leads her into a spiraling nightmare, Buckley plays a woman trapped in an endless cycle of violence and abuse. Despite the story's surreal elements and supernatural twists, the character of Harper feels deeply real and grounded, thanks to Buckley's ability to infuse her performance with a disturbing honesty.

6

Isabelle Fuhrman

Orphan (2009)

It's easy to forget that Isabelle Fuhrman was just 11 years old when she played one of the most terrifying characters in horror history.. In Orphan, her portrayal of Esther is hauntingly frightening, and the age factor only makes her performance more impressive. Fuhrman perfectly captures the duality of a character who, behind a youthful appearance, hides a dark secret.

Throughout the film, both the character and her interpreter try to deceive the people who meet and observe them. However, just as Eshter knows how to manipulate the environment and remove the mask from the innocent child when necessary, Fuhrman also gives viewers subtle hints of his inner darkness, reminding them that they are watching a horror. Between a sweet smile and an icy look, Fuhrman is capable of terrifying everyone in this horror film based on true stories.

5

Luis Tosar

Sleep Well (2011)

Sleep well is a masterpiece of psychological suspense. The nature of the film relies heavily on exploring the troubled and unraveling psyche of its main character. As a consequence, the actor's performance was one of the factors that most contributed to the film's success.

Fortunately, Luis Tosar nailed his role as César, the troubled concierge driven by a highly questionable motive. What really stands out about Tosar's performance is the subtlety of his performance.

His character doesn't look like a traditional horror villain and there's an almost polite demeanor to him. His ability to hide behind the mundane while gradually showing glimpses of the brutality that characterizes him is as chilling as it is impressive. The quiet intensity of Tosar's performance perfectly suits the film's suspenseful tone, making his work an underrated gem of the horror genre.

4

Sarah Paulson

Run (2020)

Sarah Paulson has proven herself many times to be an incredible scream queen. However, his widely recognized work with the immensely popular series American horror story may unfairly overshadow your performance in Run, the psychological horror that shocked audiences with its disturbing themes of parental control and obsession. The film owes its success partially to Paulson's enigmatic performance as Diane.

The shocking plot twists of Run It worked so well because of the actress's deceptive skills, both behind the screen and with the audience. 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 remarkable performance.

3

Megan Fox

Jennifer's Body (2009)

Although Megan Fox blamed herself for the 2009 failure Jennifer's body, the problem wasn't her work, but the negative image the public seemed to have of her at the time. Because, against all odds, his underrated performance in this inventive horror is worth revisiting. Just like the character Jennifer, who hides 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 as they focused more on her sexual allure.

As a typical high school mean girl, Jennifer is a fun character to bring to the screen, and the actress' natural intelligence nails the comedic and sarcastic bits. However, as a man-eating monster with psychopathic tendencies, driven by an insatiable hunger and on an ego trip throughout the film, the portrayal takes on a chilling side that, once again, Fox manages to capture. Her multifaceted performance and ability to go from superficial teen queen to bloodthirsty killer to hapless victim is a testament to Fox's underrated but magnetic performance in this cult horror.

2

Anya Taylor-Joy

The Witch (2015)

After his international success with The Queen's Gambit and his exceptional performance in the most recent The menu, It can be easy to forget that at the beginning of her career, Anya Taylor-Joy was no less talented (and fascinating). In The WitchThe actress' performance as Thomasin, a seemingly simple 17th century girl who lives on a farm with her conservative Puritan family, left audiences in shock.

Anya Taylor-Joy is incredible at balancing her character between her initial youthful innocence and the downward spiral of anger and moral degradation she embarks on, portraying Thomasin's tragic journey with meticulous attention to each stage she passes through. The way she manages to evoke such contrasting feelings, from pity to concern and from sympathy to pure terror, is a testament to her impeccable talent. His underrated performance in the horror film still stands out.

1

John Goodman

10 Cloverfield Street (2016)

There's something deeply unsettling about an actor who delves into the unpredictability of his role so well that he ends up confusing both the audience and the characters behind the scenes.. John Goodman as Howard in 10 Cloverfield Street is an example of that. It's frighteningly ingenious the way Goodman makes viewers constantly question themselves, trapped in endless doubts about who Howard really is.

The actor's role blurs the line between a completely disturbed man, the victim of a dangerously paranoid breakdown, and a good Samaritan trying to do the right thing. Goodman plays on the edge, bringing to life an incredibly multifaceted and impossible-to-forget performance. The ambiguity behind Howard's gaze is captured perfectly, leaving the audience constantly on edge. John Goodman gave an underrated yet frightening performance in this horror film.