Horror is arguably the most versatile genre of movies. A good horror movie does what it can to elicit feelings of fear, shock or disgust from its audience. Whether it’s copious amounts of gore, jump scares, or establishing a general aura of dread, there are countless methods by which horror movies can frighten their viewers. Effective horror movies attack the senses and play tricks on the mind.
Most horror movies are only as good as the performances driving them. After all, tension and fear come from a perceived sense of narrative believability, and strong performances are necessary. In many cases, mediocre genre movies can be elevated by stellar acting. In honor ofthe upcoming 97th Academy Awards, where horror as a whole is far too often overlooked,this list offers a selection of Oscar-worthy performances in 2010s horror movies. There won’t be any ranking, as all these performances are deserving of love despite being criminally snubbed by the Academy.
10Jane Levy as Mia
Five friends head to a remote cabin in the hopes of rehabilitating their friend Mia’s (Jane Levy) opium addiction. Shortly after arriving, the group discovers a Book of the Dead. Within its pages is an incantation that summons evil, and after it’s accidentally spoken, demons arise and demand souls.
In this wicked and spectacularly gorysoft reboot of theEvil Deadfranchise,Levy’s performance is the absolute standout. Her character transitions from a struggling addict to a foul-mouthed demon and, finally, to a truly bad-ass final girl who wields a chainsaw with a grace that would make Leatherface blush. Unfortunately, Academy voters are unlikely to recognize a horror movie as horrifically violent and grim asEvil Dead, but nonetheless,Levy gives a splatter movie performance with a supreme convictionthat’s sure to leave an impression.
9John Goodman as Howard
‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ (2016)
After a car accident that left her unconscious, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) wakes up in an underground bunker. Her savior, Howard (John Goodman), insists that the world outside as they know it has ended and the bunker is the safest place to be. Michelle is naturally skeptical but questions concerning both Howard and the state of the outside world reveal harrowing truths.
10 Cloverfield Laneis a tight, brilliantly acted, and visceral genre blend that is patient to show its hand. Perhaps the movie’s strongest element isGoodman’s performance as Howard, a cryptic doomsday prepper whose intentions gradually become apparent. Goodman’ssubtly sinister demeanor and vaguely threatening posturingallow the twisty narrative developments of10 Cloverfield Laneall the more tension. Howard isn’t a traditional villain and is far from the only antagonistic force of the movie itself. Still, Goodman brilliantly plays Howard in accordance with10 Cloverfield Lane’s more grounded and claustrophobic sensibilities.
10 Cloverfield Lane
8Elisabeth Moss as Cecilia Kass
‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)
A modern telling of the classic H.G. Wells science fiction novel, this iteration ofThe Invisible Manfollows Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss). After her abusive tech developer ex-boyfriend commits suicide and leaves her a fortune, Cecilia begins to build a better life for herself. Soon enough, strange occurrences lead Cecilia to believe that her ex’s death may have found another means of terrorizing her.
The Invisible Manis a psychological horror thriller that explores a particularly chilling brand of terror. Moss is no stranger to emotional and bleak subject matter (just look atThe Handmaid’s Tale), and here, she gives a layered performance that perfectly complements the movie’s more intense themes of abuse, trauma, and independence. WhileThe Invisible Manhas plenty of thrills and chills to offer, its more ambitious narrative devices simplywouldn’t work without Moss and her incredibly compelling lead performance.
The Invisible Man
7James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb
‘Split’ (2016)
Three teenage girls are abducted and held captive by Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a man suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder. Twenty-three distinct personalities exist within Kevin’s mind and fight for control. The girls will soon discover that the arrival of a new and especially dangerous persona known as “The Beast” is just on the horizon, further challenging their chances of escaping.
The talented James McAvoyhas proven to beone of the best actors working today, andSplitmight just behis brightest showcase yet. The challenge of embodying 24 distinct personalities was almost certainly a daunting one, but McAvoy delivers excellence. The personalities vary in age, speech and mannerisms—McAvoy’s adaptability is beyond impressive, as if he’s flexing on the very notion of simply portraying a single character.
6Carla Gugino as Jessie
‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)
In an attempt to save their dying marriage, Jessie (Carla Gugino) and Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) take a trip to a secluded lake house. After a bedroom game gone horribly wrong, Jessie finds herself handcuffed to a sturdy wooden bedframe. A fight for survival ensues as Jessie battles inner demons, past traumas, and an encircling wild dog.
Gerald’s Gameis a tight and wildly effective chamber thriller just as it isan excellent showcase for Gugino’s capabilities as a lead. While she’s often delegated to supporting roles, Gugino is the heart and soul ofGerald’s Game. Her performance helps to ground what is, at its core, a bracing psychological horror piece.The vulnerability and physicality on display are impressive—audiences should only hope thatGugino gets more leading rolesas meaty as this one in the future.
Gerald’s Game
5Willem Dafoe as Thomas Wake
‘The Lighthouse’ (2019)
Set in 19th century New England, Ephraim Winslow (Robert Pattinson) and Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) live on a remote isle, tasked with maintaining a lighthouse and its grounds. It isn’t long before the excruciating labor, extreme isolation, and the beckoning of siren calls at night begin testing the limits of the two men’s sanity.
Willem Dafoe’s tenured careerhas established him as one of the most talented performers working today, and his performance inTheLighthousestands out as one of his greatest. He fits right into the world ofRobert Eggers' grim folk tale,striking a perfect balance of masculine gusto and raving lunacy. Dafoe has been recognized by the Academy on multiple occasions, and while it’s not exactly surprising that a movie as out-there asThe Lighthousedidn’t earn him an acting nomination,it’s a performance that’s still fully deserving.
The Lighthouse
4Essie Davis as Amelia Vanek
‘The Babadook’ (2014)
Depressed and overworked single mother Amelia (Essie Davis) struggles to maintain a healthy maternal relationship with her son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), following the tragic death of her husband. When a disturbing pop-up storybook titledThe Babadookappears on their doorstep, Samuel’s behavior grows increasingly erratic and violent as he claims to have vivid visions of a monster. Amelia and Samuel’s relationship is tested even further when those visions become reality.
The Babadookis an elegantly crafted horror movie that’sas terrifying as it is thematically dense, and none of it would’ve worked nearly as well if not forthe powerhouse lead performance from Davis. The bond between a single mother and her son makes for a compelling narrative hook, and Davis sells every strained emotion. She’s so convincing thather descent into madness isjust as, if not more, disturbing than the titular creature.The Babadookis an essential effort in modern horror, thanks in no small part to Davis' performance.
The Babadook
3Florence Pugh as Dani
‘Midsommar’ (2019)
Still grieving over a traumatic event, American graduate student Dani (Florence Pugh) joins her friends on a trip to a remote Swedish village to attend a mid-summer festival. Upon their arrival, peculiar and uncomfortable happenings undercut the lush scenery and smiles of the villagers. Harmless tradition eventually gives way to sinister rituals as Dani and her friends must fight to escape.
Pugh’s headlining newcomer horror visionaryAri Aster’sMidsommargreatly attributed to her becoming a household name.While the movie itself is not without its faults, Pugh holds the whole thing together with a performance that’s equally commanding and vulnerable.She elegantly navigates the traumas and insecurities of her characterin ways that complement the tone ofMidsommar—her breakdown and eventual acceptance are haunting yet strangely moving. It’s standout work from an actress who will only continue to prove her immense talents in the future.
2Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson
‘Us’ (2019)
Looking for a relaxing getaway, the Wilson family takes a trip to Santa Cruz, California. The mother, Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o), is reluctant to return to her childhood lakehouse, unable to shake the feeling of impending danger. When four mysterious strangers invade the family’s home while they’re sleeping, Adelaide’s worst nightmares are realized—but this is far from a localized happening.
WhileUsdoesn’t quite reach the same highs asJordan Peele’s previous effort,Get Out, it’s still a sturdy genre piece packed with chills,elevated by a towering lead/dual performance from Nyong’o. CallingUsa one-woman show would be accurate, not to dismiss the other cast members' good work, but more to accentuatewhat is one of the best performances of the 2010s in any genre. It’s easy to be transfixed by a horror performance this compellingly unique andit’s an injustice that Nyong’o didn’t at least get a nodfor the Academy.
1Toni Collette as Annie
‘Hereditary’ (2018)
A family in mourning falls victim to a series of increasingly devastating tragedies. A supernatural curse that can be traced back generations unravels and tears the family apart at the seams despite the mother’s (Toni Collette) best efforts to protect an already fragile bond. DirectorAri Aster’s debut feature-length project,Hereditaryis recognized by many as one of thebest horror movies of the 2010s. Aster’s masterful methods of ratcheting tension and unorthodox scares makeHereditaryunmissable for horror fans.
A movie as strikingly original asHereditaryneeded strong performances to match it, andthe mighty Toni Collette understood the assignment, to say the least. This is a movie packed with grotesque imagery and stomach-churning implications, but it’sCollette’s grief-stricken performance that stands outas the most haunting element ofHereditary.One would be hard-pressed to find a genre performance as robust as this.
