10 Best Horror Movie Performances of the Last Decade

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The last ten years have been incredibly successful for horror films. Directors have focused on creating a sense of unease, exploring complex characters, and making everything feel very real, allowing actors to give some of their best and most memorable performances. These roles require a lot from actors – emotional openness, physical endurance, and the courage to explore truly frightening themes. Because of this, modern horror is producing performances worthy of awards, even though the Academy Awards haven’t always recognized the genre.

As a horror fan, I’ve noticed something really interesting lately. It’s not just about jump scares anymore. Today’s horror movies are digging deeper, showing us characters who are genuinely broken and dealing with serious trauma. These aren’t just screams – it’s raw emotion and vulnerability that really sticks with you. Honestly, the performances we’ve seen in the last decade are some of the best I’ve ever witnessed, and not just within the horror genre – they stand up with the greats across all kinds of movies.

Over the past ten years, these ten performances stand out as the most impressive in horror films, with three reaching legendary status.

10
Florence Pugh as Dani in ‘Midsommar’ (2019)


A24

Florence Pugh’s performance as Dani in Midsommar is incredibly moving and realistic. From the very start, when her character learns about her family’s tragic death and delivers a heart-wrenching scream, Pugh convincingly portrays a grief that feels completely genuine. She doesn’t simply use Dani’s trauma to move the story forward; instead, she shows how it deeply affects everything the character does, making it a constant, heavy burden.

Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Dani’s struggle to maintain composure, particularly when surrounded by unsupportive people, makes the film feel deeply real. As the story descends into a disturbing, dreamlike state, Pugh delivers a performance that is both upsetting, deeply sad, and captivating. She expertly shows Dani falling apart while still preserving her character’s essential humanity and core desires. Dani’s sadness, loneliness, and hidden anger build until they unexpectedly transform into a strange but freeing sense of acceptance. That final smile is a haunting mix of insanity and relief that will stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

9
Daniel Kaluuya as Chris in ‘Get Out’ (2017)


Universal Pictures

Daniel Kaluuya’s performance in Get Out is captivating and realistic – he expertly builds tension, making Jordan Peele’s horror film one of the most important and impactful movies of the last ten years. As the main character, Chris, Kaluuya plays a thoughtful and kind person whose unease grows with every strange thing he experiences at his girlfriend’s family’s home. He’s able to convey a lot of emotion with just small changes in his facial expressions and body language, which helps tell the story.

As the horror of the film truly unfolds, Kaluuya delivers a powerfully vulnerable performance that grounds the most unsettling scenes. His portrayal of helplessness within ‘The Sunken Place’ is particularly haunting and almost physically painful to witness. He also convincingly portrays Chris’s determined fight for survival in the climax. Kaluuya’s effortless transitions between emotions are key to what makes this such a remarkable film.

8
Naomi Scott as Skye Riley in ‘Smile 2’ (2024)


Paramount

Naomi Scott’s performance in Smile 2 takes the film beyond simple scares, adding emotional depth by focusing on themes of identity, guilt, and trauma. As pop star Skye Riley, Scott brilliantly shows the strain of maintaining a public image while privately falling apart. She realistically portrays the toll of fame, battling a secret addiction and a terrifying supernatural threat, all while delivering impressive musical performances.

The scariest parts of the film are effective because the director doesn’t focus on shocking visuals, but on the character’s inner fear. The actress truly captures the psychological distress of her role, and her physical performance convincingly shows how her character’s condition worsens. Without her acting, Smile 2 wouldn’t have been as impactful.

7
Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide and Red in ‘Us’ (2019)


Universal Pictures

Lupita Nyong’o gives an incredible performance in Us, playing two very different roles. As Adelaide, she convincingly portrays a woman struggling with hidden anxiety that comes to the surface as she confronts her past. Nyong’o beautifully captures Adelaide’s fear and strong desire to protect her family, making the character feel real even as the story becomes more and more bizarre. She expertly uses her body language, breathing, and voice to create a sense of dread and build tension throughout the film.

Lupita Nyong’o delivers a truly remarkable performance as Red, transforming into a captivating and disturbing character. With a fractured voice and eerily elegant movements, she creates a modern horror icon. The difference between her two roles in the film is striking, but also reveals her incredible skill at portraying both physical and emotional change. Her performance takes Us beyond a simple story about doubles, turning it into a deeply unsettling exploration of identity, the weight of trauma, and issues of oppression and inequality.

6
Willem Dafoe in ‘The Lighthouse’ (2019)


A24

Willem Dafoe is captivating in The Lighthouse as Thomas Wake. His performance is a remarkable blend of dramatic flair, unsettling intensity, and surprising humor. With a voice roughened by the sea and a delivery reminiscent of Shakespeare, Dafoe perfectly portrays the classic, weathered lighthouse keeper, but adds a layer of mythical strangeness that makes the character feel larger than life. He throws himself into the role with confidence, turning every speech into a powerful outburst of religious fervor and old sailor’s beliefs, and somehow making even the silliest lines feel completely compelling.

As the relationship between Wake and Thomas Howard (Robert Pattinson) spirals into chaos, Willem Dafoe delivers a captivating performance. He skillfully portrays a character who is both frighteningly controlling and deeply vulnerable, perfectly capturing the film’s sense of confinement, loneliness, and mental breakdown. Dafoe’s dedication to the role showcases why he’s considered one of the most daring actors in film.

5
Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise in ‘It’ (2017) & ‘It Chapter Two’ (2019)


Warner Bros.

Bill Skarsgård brought a fresh and frightening take to the classic horror villain Pennywise. He didn’t just play the part, he became Pennywise, creating a truly chilling and unique performance. His unsettling physical movements – like the way he tilted his head, stood perfectly still, and let his eye wander – made the character feel incredibly real, going beyond just costumes and effects. Skarsgård also used his voice brilliantly, shifting from a playful, sing-song tone to a deep, threatening growl, perfectly capturing a truly evil creature that enjoys causing pain.

Bill Skarsgård’s performance in It Chapter Two adds surprising emotional depth to Pennywise, making the character even more unsettling. These moments of vulnerability aren’t intended to make Pennywise sympathetic – they’re designed to disturb us by revealing that even a monstrous, otherworldly clown can experience feelings of being wronged. Skarsgård masterfully combines Pennywise’s frightening physical appearance, playful voice, and psychological terror, creating a truly unforgettable villain.

4
Mia Goth as Pearl Howard in ‘Pearl’ (2022)


A24

In Pearl, Mia Goth gives a captivating performance as a woman slowly losing touch with reality. What could have been a straightforward backstory is elevated by Goth into a complex and dramatic character study. She brilliantly portrays Pearl’s desperate desire for a life beyond the farm, a dream that constantly feels out of reach. Goth plays Pearl with a youthful energy that gradually turns to bitterness and anger, creating a compelling and unsettling character that viewers can’t help but watch, even when it’s disturbing. This emotional rollercoaster is what drives the entire film.

Mia Goth’s powerful nine-minute monologue and the final close-up shot perfectly showcase her ability to portray genuine emotion, even within the film’s dramatic style. She makes Pearl’s sadness feel as strong as her anger, and her attempts at appearing happy actually make her frightening moments even more unsettling. Thanks to Goth’s performance, Pearl becomes a complete and compelling character, and her story of tragedy and terror will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

3
Michael B. Jordan as Stack and Smoke in ‘Sinners’ (2025)


Warner Bros.

I was absolutely blown away by Michael B. Jordan in Sinners. He gave the most courageous performance I’ve ever seen from him, playing twins who are complete opposites. One brother, Stack, is all charm and openness, while the other, Smoke, is much more serious and keeps everything bottled up. It’s incredible how Jordan managed to make these identical twins feel like two totally different people – I could always tell who was who on screen, and it was a testament to his skill.

Jordan brought each character to life as a unique person by giving them different ways of moving and speaking. This creates a powerful contrast that adds depth to the film. His skill in playing two characters who are both similar and strangely twisted is arguably his best work yet. Jordan essentially carries the film with his dedication, delivering a truly exceptional performance that will be remembered among the greatest of all time.

2
Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter in ‘Nosferatu’ (2024)


Focus Features

Lily-Rose Depp delivers a powerful and brave performance in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu. She doesn’t play Ellen as a helpless character, but as a woman who keenly feels the growing darkness around her. Ultimately, she becomes both a victim and a rescuer, accomplishing something extraordinary. Depp beautifully evokes the spirit of classic horror heroines from silent films while also bringing a fresh, nuanced depth to the role.

Throughout the film, Depp beautifully captures Ellen’s growing fear and resolve. Her delicate and otherworldly presence is a perfect fit for Eggers’ dark and haunting world, intensifying the film’s already heavy atmosphere. This performance transforms Nosferatu from a visually striking remake into a genuinely moving story of human suffering, and it’s one of the most memorable performances of recent years. Depp masterfully combines vulnerability and strength, creating a timeless portrayal that solidifies her place among the best in horror cinema.

1
Jacob Elordi as the Creature in ‘Frankenstein’ (2025)


Netflix

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a stunning gothic film, and Jacob Elordi is central to its success. He gives a truly remarkable performance, portraying the creature with heartbreaking tenderness and nuance. Elordi doesn’t play the creature as simply a monster, a mindless beast, or even just a misunderstood being; instead, he presents a surprisingly human character, filled with the confusion and vulnerability of a newborn, as well as deep loneliness, sorrow, intense anger, and a profound desire for connection.

Jacob Elordi delivers a remarkable physical performance as the Creature, using weighty, intentional movements to show how disconnected he is from his own body. His eyes and facial expressions beautifully convey moments of innocence, curiosity, and sadness. Elordi’s voice work is equally impressive, ranging from hesitant attempts to speak, to bursts of anger and profound grief. His portrayal of the Creature is gentle, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful – a truly special performance that reimagines a classic character for modern audiences while also making it feel timeless. It’s clear he was perfectly suited for this role.

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2025-11-18 00:36