Although it’s a genre that is too often disrespected, horror films are steadily beginning to be treated with more prestige thanks to some extraordinary examples in recent years that show how flexible they can be. Not only did horror films like Black Swan, Get Out, and The Substance get Academy Award recognition, but they managed to get their stars nominated for acting prizes. In an era where the box office is often filled with disappointments, horror might be the only reliable genre.
Even the worst films can feature stellar performances, as great actors can elevate weak material. Although acting isn’t often the first aspect of filmmaking that comes to mind when thinking about horror cinema, a film can’t properly terrify its audience if it doesn’t have compelling characters, both good and bad. Here are ten bad horror films that have good performances.
10
‘End of Days’ (1999)
End of Days was a disappointing end to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legendary run of ‘90s blockbusters, which included all-time classics like Total Recall and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Although Schwarzenegger’s films tended to be more upbeat and fun, End of Days was a darker take on a contemporary dark fantasy story in which he faced off with a version of the literal devil, played by the great Gabriel Byrne.
Schwarzenegger is surprisingly vulnerable and compelling in End of Days, as he allowed himself to be a deeply wounded character, whilst also acknowledging that he had aged since the days in which he first broke out as an action star. Byrne, best known for his more subtle performances in The Usual Suspects and Miller’s Crossing, appears to be having a blast as a scenery-chewing, delightfully evil villain who finds sick pleasure in tormenting others.
9
‘The Curse of La Llorona’ (2019)
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Image via Warner Bros.
<em>The Curse of La Llorona</em> is one of the worst spinoffs of The Conjuring franchise, as it was clearly just a means of using the name of the property to elevate a cheaply made horror film that wouldn’t otherwise get any attention. Although The Curse of La Llorona often feels like a dull rendition of what James Wan did much better in his first two films, it does feature an extraordinary performance from Linda Cardellini which elevates it as a viewing experience.
Cardellini is an underrated actress who has rarely been offered the chance to play a lead role, and The Curse of La Llorona took advantage of the potential she teased upon her brief appearances on Mad Men. Given that the film analyzed the impact of family secrets and heritage, Cardellini’s role as a mother striving to protect her children from the darkness that surrounded them couldn’t have felt more powerful.
8
‘MaXXXine’ (2024)
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