The 10 Best One-Scene Horror Movie Performances of All Time

There is nothing horror the film does better than a cameo, and there are many actors who give their all in a single scene in a horror film and are remembered for it forever. Within the horror genre, most characters are expendable. When actors only have a moment to sell their performances, it's because they are the first victims demonstrating how the monster or magic works. However, these films sometimes flip the script and make the long-awaited villain only appear in the final moments of the story to increase the impact of his arrival.

While a scene may not qualify, some actors' performances in horror films are often career highlights, allowing them to step out of their comfort zones. Horror films are a place for actors and audiences to explore their anxieties, fears and existential questions within a safe environment. Furthermore, there is less pressure on the artist who is only in one scene of the film, as he knows that the entire narrative does not depend on him. They can have fun with the role and experiment, and that's what makes them so memorable.

10

Bill Murray – Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

As Arthur Denton

The 1986 adaptation of Little Shop of Horrors brings the musical back to the screen following its success, combining elements of the stage version and the original low-budget 1960s comedy. Often described as one of the best movie musical and horror comedy remakes of the 1980s, Little Shop of Horrors features an all-star cast including Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and many other contemporary comedians in small roles. Although Jim Belushi and Christopher Guest make appearances, one of the most entertaining cameos is that of Bill Murray.

His character, Arthur Denton, goes to the dentist, Orin (Martin), for a root canal and appears in the scene just before Seymour (Moranis) tries to kill Orin. Darkly comedic and exaggerated, Murray fits the campy, satirical tone of Little Shop of Horrors with ease. After the success of projects such as GhostbustersMurray had a lot of star power, which he lent to the offbeat musical horror comedy, helping to cement it as a unique cult favorite.

9

Christopher Walken – Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Like the Headless Horseman

Another addition to Tim Burton's gripping gothic horror films Sleepy hollowwas praised for its visuals and cohesive aesthetic choices. A new approach The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, the story follows Ichabod Crane, who comes to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the murders in the town. It doesn't take long for Crane to realize there's something supernatural going on, and that's when Christopher Walken comes in as the horrific Headless Horseman.

Walken plays the Horseman in a flashback, explaining the resurrected demonic man's brutal past. Made to look as scary as possible, Walken is virtually unrecognizable and fully commits to being the ruthless killer that haunts the nightmares of the city's inhabitants. This backstory sequence is vitally important to the plot of Sleepy hollow and helps establish the film's atmosphere while providing much-needed exposition. It would take an actor like Walken to bring such a specific yet iconic character to life.

8

Drew Barrymore – Scream (1996)

As Casey Becker

The opening scene of Scream is one of the most iconic in the history of cinema, and it wouldn't have been as effective in capturing the viewer's attention without Drew Barrymore's performance. Neve Campbell's Sidney is the film's iconic last girl, but Barrymore's phone call with the killer sets the tone for the entire project. Instantly, the audience understands that Scream is well aware of the tropes and formulas of the horror genre and will be a metatextual ride of satire and genuine thrills.

Barrymore was the perfect choice for the character of Casey as she was already a well-known figure in film at that time, but most of her roles were during her time as a child actress. However, by playing Casey, Barrymore was able to show a different side of herself and be taken more seriously as an actress, especially because her scene ends so violently. It won't be long before the franchise returns with Scream 7but neither sequel would be possible without the precedent set by the original.

7

Jacob Tremblay – Doctor Sleep (2019)

As Bradley Trevor

Ewan McGregor leads Doctor Sleep as Dan Torrance, the boy from The Shining who grew up and is tormented by memories of what happened to his parents at the Overlook Hotel. With his psychic abilities, Dan begins to investigate the cult that feeds on people with psychic abilities like himself, leading him to the powerful young Abra (Kyliegh Curran). Even more powerful than him, Abra feels the cult and sees visions of other people she prayed for.

Bradley, by Jacob Tremblay, is a young victim of the cult whose death Abra witnesses through its brilliance. It's a small and tragic role, but it's a nice addition to Tremblay's filmography to be part of such an iconic franchise. The Shining is often cited among Stanley Kubrick's best films, which helped establish a built-in audience for Doctor Sleep in 2019. Although Doctor Sleep is more in tune with the clairvoyance of the story, yet is a strong continuation of the classic horror film.

6

Tony Todd – Final Destination (2000)

As William Bludworth

In 2000, the first Final destination the film premiered, and the franchise grappled with the inevitability of fate and whether it's possible to cheat death. Over and over again, Final destination proves that within the world of the story, fate will find a way to collect the souls that narrowly escaped their deaths. In the first film, Tony Todd explains this to the characters, establishing the rules of the films this applies to the rest of the installments.

His character, William Bludworth, is a mortician who the characters encounter after the first death in the sequence. His sinister characterization matches the tone of the story and is a stand-in for death itself, playing the critical role of providing exposition while integrating into the overarching plot. His comments to Alex (Devon Sawa) set him on the path of trying to avoid the inevitable deaths, which continually proves futile.

5

Greg Wood – The Sixth Sense (1999)

Like Mr. Collins

M. Night Shyamalan's classic ghost story, The Sixth Senseis led by young Haley Joel Osment as Cole and Bruce Willis in one of his best performances as Malcolm. As Cole confides in Malcolm that he can see the dead, Malcolm tries to help him navigate the terror of his world and work with him to help the spirits leave Earth. Collins is the grieving father of Kyra Collins (Mischa Barton), a young ghost who Cole speaks to, realizing she was poisoned by her stepmother.

By altering Mr. Collins for this crime and betrayal at Kyra's funeral, Cole takes an important step toward accepting his gift and moving forward, learning that he can help people with this ability. Greg Wood's performance as Mr. Collins is incredibly moving, which can be difficult, given that he's only on screen for such a short time. However, Wood managed to communicate the depth of her loss, as well as the impact Cole had on her life in this short space of time.

4

Oliver Smith – Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

As Mr. Browning

Body horror fans will love Oliver Smith's only scene in Hellbound: Hellraiser II, the sequel to the original Infernalreleased the previous year. Quickly becoming a cult hit in horror circles, the first film was praised for its controversial and innovative subject matter. While the sequel didn't achieve the same levels of notoriety, it did successfully establish the story as having franchise potential. Smith's character, Mr. Browning, is pulled into the world of the Cenobites by a doctor who is obsessed with them.

Convinced by doctor Channard (Kenneth Cranham) to cut his own skin, Browning is in a brief but telling scene that proves just how far Channard is willing to go to summon the Cenobites. THE Infernal the franchise is all about body horror and grotesque imagery, so Browning is far from the only character impacted by the desire and obsession of the people seeking out the Cenobites. Although it's difficult to watch, Smith isn't afraid to fully embrace the role and make the audience squirm.

3

Bjork – The Northman (2022)

Like the fortune teller

Robert Egger's dark historical action-horror film, The Northman​​​​​​, is anchored by Alexander Skarsgård's performance as Amleth, the titular Norseman. Following his epic quest for revenge and the fulfillment of his destiny, the film finds Amleth traveling far and wide to eventually return to his homeland to assassinate his uncle, who usurped the throne from Amleth's father, killing him in cold blood. When he reaches adulthood, Amleth meets an ancient Seer, played by Bjork, reminding him of his destiny.

While it may seem strange to cast an iconic musician in the role of the witches, Bjork has always been known for her innovative projects and theatrical performances, making her the perfect choice for the mysterious Seer. Based on Norse mythology, The Northman it addresses psychics and witches who can predict the characters' fates, and this is how Bjork's role is characterized. It's a scary moment when Amleth is confronted by the Seer, but she is the catalyst for him getting back on the path to his eternal destiny.

2

Peter Stormare – Constantine (2005)

Like Lucifer

In one of Keanu Reeves' exciting forays into the fantasy genre, Constantinethe actor plays John Constantine, a character based on the DC comic series Infernal Blazer. In the narrative, Constantine has the power to see angels and demons, which makes him the perfect tortured exorcist. Constantine is particularly haunted by the fact that his soul is condemned to hell and by the fact that Lucifer will one day come for him. The threat of Lucifer's arrival hangs over the entire film until Peter Stormare makes his grand entrance at the end of the film.

Dressed in a pure white suit and full of fury and power, Stormare's Lucifer cuts an impressive figure. in the scene, as Constantine called him there, in a desperate attempt to save the world from the work of a corrupt angel and demon. Since Constantine 2 is confirmed, it's likely that audiences will see Stormare return as Lucifer, as he's made it clear that he's far from done with Constantine. The chemistry between Reeves and Stormare as eternal enemies also helps elevate the scene as a climactic conclusion.

1

Caitlin Stasey – Smile (2022)

As Laura Weaver

When Smile was released in 2022, it was the most exciting psychological horror film in recent years and has received much praise from critics and audiences. Caitlin Stasey returns from director Parker Finn's original short, Laura didn't sleep, and begins the events of the film with his interaction with Rose (Sosie Bacon), the film's protagonist. As the story progresses, it soon becomes clear that because Rose witnessed Laura's death, she has been cursed with the same terrible affliction as Laura.

Stasey's appearance is a fun Easter egg in the short, although she is missing for the rest of the film. However, it is impossible to forget her. It is Rose's interaction with Laura that haunts her for the rest of the story. When rewatching SmileIt's amazing to see how much foreshadowing is presented by Stasey's performance and how her character essentially explains how the curse works. It's a clever scene and essential for the rest of the narrative to work, but Stasey executes it perfectly.