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The best horror film doesn’t always need the biggest scares, the most suspense, or the grossest gore. What it needs is some talented performers in front of the camera. Since early cinema, the horror genre has frightened and fascinated audiences with some of its greatest, most thrilling hits, from silent classics to modern masterpieces. The greatest of which all have one thing in common, as they’re full of captivating performances.
While horror doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves when it comes to acting, considering only six actors have ever won Oscars for performing in this category, it’s steadily becoming more appreciated for all the marvelous performances it has. The last 25 years have seen actors elevate horror to new, acclaimed heights with their acting prowess, and they have made their roles legendary. From recent favorites to Oscar-worthy contenders, let’s take a look at the best horror performances of the 21st century. We will rank them based on the performance itself, what it brings to its specific movie, and its standing in the horror genre’s larger narrative.
20
Michael B. Jordan as Smoke/Stack in ‘Sinners’ (2025)
The remarkable Michael B. Jordan kicks off this list with his most recent standout performance playing the Smokestack twins in Ryan Coogler‘s vampire masterpiece, Sinners. Jordan, best known for his impressive villain role as Eric Killmonger in Coogler’s Black Panther, is an unstoppable force in this magnificent dual role, playing two unique criminal brothers with distinct personalities.
Portraying twins believably and flawlessly is no small feat, especially in such a one-of-a-kind film such as Sinners, but Jordan executes this challenging act, showing that he can play both characters and make them seem like separate people. Capturing Smoke’s reserved, intense presence and Stack’s naive charm, it truly feels like we’re seeing two completely different actors on screen. It’s all thanks to Jordan, who pulls double duty without breaking a sweat.
19
Morfydd Clark as Maud in ‘Saint Maud’ (2019)
One of the most highly underrated supernatural horror movies in recent memory is Rose Glass‘s 2019 film Saint Maud. A fascinating psychological folk horror drama, it’s a deeply unsettling tale that’s become highly acclaimed now for its truly captivating lead performance by Swedish-born Welsh actress Morfydd Clark as the titular Maud.
Clark is transformative in the deep and complex emotional role as this terribly conflicted woman. She perfectly captures Maud’s vulnerability, internal struggles, and deep-growing feelings of isolation and grief as her mind slowly descends into misguided fanaticism. It’s a raw, mesmerizing performance that feels so genuine and intense, showing the epic talent of this truly remarkable young star.
18
Lina Leandersson as Eli in ‘Let the Right One In’ (2008)
In this international horror masterpiece, Tomas Alfredson‘s Let the Right One In is a touching dark coming-of-age tale with a vampire twist. It’s a story of loneliness and growing up, following a struggling young boy as he sparks a tender friendship with a centuries-old child vampire named Eli, memorably played by Swedish actress Lina Leandersson in her film debut.
Leandersson’s performance has become a particular standout in the horror genre for her dedication to this physically and emotionally challenging role at such a young age. She brilliantly conveys Eli’s tragic loneliness and constant internal struggles with her bloodthirsty nature through body language and incredible facial expressions. She was able to show so much emotion and complexity in this heartbreaking and eerie role, showing she truly had the right skill and talent to make such a performance iconic.
17
Lim Soo-Jung as Soo-mi Bae in ‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ (2003)
Image via Cineclick Asia/Big Blue Film
In this Korean supernatural horror drama, Kim Jee-woon‘s A Tale of Two Sisters is a chilling ghost story full of terror, but also a compelling drama. It’s about a young girl who, after being released from her mental hospital after a traumatic event, returns to reunite with her family back home, but is soon plagued by supernatural occurrences. Each actor pulls their weight and is simply hard to look away from, but Lim Soo-Jung shines in the lead role as the troubled Soo-mi Bae.
Able to convey so much depth, vulnerability, and complex emotions, Lim Soo-Jung is simply eye-catching in this captivating and tragic performance. She steals the screen every time she appears and brings so much intrigue and believability to every line delivery and expression. If A Tale of Two Sisters‘ famous twist ending works, it’s largely because of Lim’s work. It’s a gripping and truly splendid performance that really deserves more attention.
16
Florence Pugh as Dani in ‘Midsommar’ (2019)
Proving that she’s one of the most gifted actors currently in Hollywood, English actress Florence Pugh impressed audiences by portraying the grieving young woman Dani in Ari Aster‘s modern folk horror classic Midsommar. Showing incredible acting prowess in a role that’s still a highlight of her rising career, she shines as Dani, a woman terribly affected by the loss of her family while accompanying her friends on a Swedish festival trip, which turns out to be the home of a deadly cult.
This was an emotionally challenging performance that Pugh was able to play flawlessly and without restraint. She easily comes across as genuine and incredibly relatable, and her acting feels like it’s coming straight from the heart; it’s hard to believe it’s all just acting. It’s a raw, powerful performance, particularly during the film’s infamous final scene, and shows Ms. Pugh is one of the most capable performers of her generation.
15
Charlotte Gainsbourg as She in ‘Antichrist’ (2009)
Considered one of the bleakest horror movies ever made, Lars von Trier‘s Antichrist is a bizarre, highly disturbing film that can shock viewers from start to finish. It’s a wild psychological tale of grief and trauma, featuring two incredibly remarkable performances by Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg as a nameless couple who experience a strange, supernatural occurrence in their isolated cabin. While both are fantastic in this film, it is Gainsbourg who stands out the most for her role as the slowly unraveling wife, She.
It’s one of the most intense performances of Gainsbourg’s career, as she shows an unflinching approach to portraying an increasingly unstable, violent woman who slowly becomes overwhelmed and consumed by grief. One of the most reliable yet underappreciated actresses of her generation, Gainsbourg is fearless and untethered by restraints, ultimately giving a frighteningly memorable role that’s still one of her all-time greats.
14
Choi Min-sik as Jang Kyung-chul in ‘I Saw the Devil’ (2010)
Kim Jee-woon‘s I Saw the Devil is a frighteningly brutal and graphic tale that shows the futility of revenge. It’s quite an intense thriller that follows Lee Byung-hun as a grieving widower who conducts a prolonged and dangerous revenge scheme against a ruthless serial killer, played to perfection by the great Choi Min-shik.
Though it’s a fascinating tale with flawless acting, Choi Min-shik stands out incredibly, portraying the despicable and inhuman murderer Jang Kyung-chul. Though he’s no stranger to playing antagonists, here, he’s easily at his most sinister, playing an unforgiving monster who enjoys killing and the suffering of others. It’s easy to get lost watching his performance as it’s utterly captivating and hard to look away from in the most chilling way possible.
13
Anya Taylor-Joy as Thomasin in ‘The Witch’ (2015)
Robert Eggers, a fascinating mind who’s steadily rising in the horror entertainment world, delivered The Witch in 2015, a modern masterpiece of supernatural and psychological terror that’s endlessly frightening. With incredible direction, a great setting, and a competent cast, truly, the biggest standout was young actress Anya Taylor-Joy in her leading debut as Thomasin, a young girl suspected of witchcraft.
It’s the role that launched this promising star further into the spotlight, showing her remarkable acting range and ability to command the screen. Taylor-Joy plays Thomasin with the right mix of vulnerability and conviction, and she easily comes across as genuine and believable, even as the story gets more unhinged near the end. It’s no wonder she would go on to do bigger and better projects, as her performance in The Witch is truly unforgettable.
12
Nicole Kidman as Grace in ‘The Others’ (2001)
Hailed as one of the best horror movies of the 2000s, Alejandro Amenábar‘s The Others is an eerie, atmospheric supernatural thriller that adds a unique spin on the haunted house subgenre. In a gripping lead performance, Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman stars as a paranoid mother of two sickly children as she slowly believes her mansion is being haunted by spirits.
It’s emotional, intense, and truly spectacular. Indeed, Nicole Kidman was the right choice to take on this challenging role as she truly makes it her own and never shows any cracks in her performance. She easily conveys the mother’s anxiety and worry about her family, while still showing her longing for closeness and her fear of the unknown, without going over the top with either emotional side. It’s not easy to portray a woman constantly on edge, but Kidman demonstrates professionalism and understanding.
11
Naomi Scott as Skye Riley in ‘Smile 2’ (2024)
Proving that 2024 was a fantastic year to be a horror fan, Parker Finn‘s Smile 2 was a terrifying success with critics and audiences, delivering a worthy continuation to 2022’s Smile. This sequel had more scares, more graphic kills, and an incredible lead performance by the wonderful Naomi Scott, who truly gave it her all playing pop star Skye Riley.
Skye Riley is a troubled celebrity struggling to reinvent herself after a tragic accident. Only, she has more to fear in her life when she becomes the target of an unstoppable, sinister force plaguing her mind. Scott did phenomenal work portraying this flawed but relatable character, capturing Skye’s spirit and determination to survive. Like Sosie Bacon from Smile before, Scott also had to spend long durations acting constantly paranoid and emotionally drained, a challenging acting task that she remarkably excels at.
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