The best horror of 2023 wouldn’t have been as good as it was without the stellar performances of its cast in those movies. Horror hasn’t always received the praise it deserves for the quality of acting in the genre, but 2023 saw some of the best performances the genre has ever seen. It’s about time the big awards went to actors in the horror genre, but this is a long way from happening. If 2024 continues to showcase this type of acting ability, it could prove to be an exciting time for the genre.
A wide range of emotions are needed to creategreat horror performances, especially with a lot of the best horror of 2023 mixing comedy with horror. These roles need a special kind of performer to express that to an audience, while keeping the suspense at a high level. A lot of A-list actors get their big break in horror movies, and many have chosen to return to the genre that served them so well. Jamie Lee Curtis is a great example of an actress who got her break in horror, then returned to it later in her career. This arguably played a part in leading her to her first Oscar winning performance. These actors have the same potential to go just as far.
Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli Olpin
James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick
Worldwide Gross
$169 million
TheScreamfranchise was dominated by the story of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott in the first four movies in the series. But when it was brought back after 11 years away withScream 2022, the focus shifted towards a new crop of characters. Sidney did return, albeit in a smaller, yet pivotal role.
The protagonist baton was passed to Melissa Berrera’s Sam Carpenter, and she filled the final girl role very well, despite facing criticism from many fans for her performance. Her role inScream 6was even better, and there was a feeling that fans of the franchise were warming to her character. She displays a darker side, making her one of the most intriguing final girls the horror genre has ever seen. Unfortunately, due to comments she recently made about certain world events,Berrera has been fired from the upcomingScream 7, leaving the sequel without its main character. This void is likely to be filled by Jenna Ortega, who is set to reprise her role as Tara Carpenter.
Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou
Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman
$70,316,307
The sleeper horror hit of 2023 wasTalk to Me, directed by Australian twin brothers, Danny and Michael Philippou. It took the horror community by surprise with its twisted plot involving a possessed embalmed hand.
The movie featured a cast of mostly unknown actors, and the best of this very talented bunch was Sophie Wilde, who played Mia. The character went on a huge journey in the movie. She starts out by volunteering to be possessed by the wicked embalmed hand, and it all goes wrong for the 17-year-old from that point onwards. She also plays the trauma of losing her mom extremely well, making her role as Mia one of the breakout performances of the year.
Released on streaming
It’s difficult to get the balance right between comedy and horror, butKiernan Shipka inTotally Killernails itin one of the most enjoyable performances of the year. Shipka is no stranger to the movie industry, despite only being 24 years of age. She started out as Don Draper’s daughter Sally inMad Men, before landing a role as the iconic Sabrina Spellman in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Totally Killersees her play the quirky final girl, Jamie, in the time-travel horror comedy, and she carries the movie throughout. She must go back in time to stop the Sweet Sixteen Killer from starting his murderous rampage. She plays the fish-out-of-water Gen Z teen stuck in the problematic 80s timeline very well. Here’s hoping she gets to reprise her role in a future sequel, as there’s plenty more still to flesh out with this character.
$146 million
“Mommy’s with the maggots now.” Who can forget that iconic line inEvil Dead Rise? It was spoken by the newly possessed mother, Ellie, played by Alyssa Sutherland. Her performance was stunning, and madeEvil Dead Risea worthy entry in the long-running franchise.
She plays the caring mother so well at the beginning of the story, which makes it all the more devastating when she is possessed and turns evil. Sutherland plays evil beautifully, and fans went wild for her performance. The best lines always went toAsh in theEvil Deadfranchise, but finally, the villain has some iconic lines to compete with the chainsaw-wielding hero of the original trilogy. Groovy!
Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote
$202,110
Becky is one of the most iconic new final girls in the horror genre. She was put through the wringer in the original movie of the same name, when her weekend away at a lake house ended in a group of convicts murdering her family. So, when a sequel was announced, it was a tough ask to up the ante for this already traumatized character.
Lulu Wilson delivers a nuanced performance inThe Wrath of Beckythat perfectly follows up her role in the first movie. She has become tougher after her first dance with death, and the hunted is very much the hunter now. Seann William Scott plays Darryl, Becky’s new adversary. He proves to be quite the match for the resourceful teenager, but she wins the battle in the end, setting up a potential third movie in the series.
