Movies

10 Shocking Horror Roles That Should’ve Stayed in the Darkness

BBG News

In order for horror films to be successful, they must exercise caution during casting since one inappropriately fitting actor can mar an otherwise excellent production. This is crucial because characters in such genres respond to extraordinary events, so it’s essential that the entire cast shares a common understanding about the film’s overall tone. Regrettably, even top-tier horror movies can succumb to a performer who fails to grasp their role, thereby subtly undermining the collective performance.

It’s important to remember that sometimes, an actor isn’t solely responsible for a performance appearing awkward. Even exceptional actors may struggle when given unclear direction or lack a strong vision and leadership. This can result in characters seeming out of place, similar to a sore thumb. This is especially problematic for horror films as they require a consistent tone to effectively frighten viewers. Inappropriate casting choices or missteps can be as detrimental to a film as poor writing or lackluster visuals.

10. Chris Rock

Spiral

In general, comedians aren’t commonly found in horror movies that are intended to be taken seriously, and Chris Rock’s involvement in the Saw series with Spiral is a testament to this rule. Chris Rock appears in the movie as a character who takes on the mantle left by Detective David Tapp, pursuing a copycat of the Jigsaw Killer who seems to be focusing on killing police officers. Assisting him in his investigation is his father, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson.

Chris Rock is more famously recognized in the entertainment industry for his stand-up comedy, portraying his childhood in the show ‘Everybody Hates Chris’, and voicing a witty zebra in the ‘Madagascar’ films. In the initial stages of ‘Spiral’, Rock tries to inject humor into the grim franchise, but this blend is as successful as oil and water. Even when he moderates his flamboyant acting later in the film, he seems strangely misplaced in the dark world of ‘Spiral’, giving an awkward twist to the entire series installment.

9. Keanu Reeves

Bram Stoker’s Dracula

In a rather memorable, albeit for less-than-ideal reasons, my favorite portrayal in a horror movie has to be Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. There’s ongoing discussion about Keanu Reeves’ acting abilities, with some believing his performances have always been saved by his voice. Given this, it’s quite astonishing that Francis Ford Coppola decided to cast Reeves as one of the central characters from the original Dracula tale, the individual who encounters the fearsome vampire before anyone else.

In the movie “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” many viewers found Keanu Reeves’ British accent to be so poorly done that it was hard not to laugh. This made it difficult to stay engaged when he spoke, as his usual cool and charming demeanor seemed absent. Instead, his lack of charisma became more noticeable in the period setting. Compared to actors like Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins, Reeves’ performance felt flat. Some might even argue that casting him for this role was a major mistake, especially when compared to other characters in the film.

8. Kelly Rowland

Freddy vs. Jason

It’s no walk in the park to get great acting from artists outside the film industry, such as musicians and athletes, as the movie Freddy vs. Jason discovered when they cast Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland. In the film, she portrays Kia, a close friend of Lori, who fits the stereotype of the generic sassy best friend character. To put it mildly, her delivery of lines falls short significantly.

To be honest, I was quite a fan of the R&B sensation back then, but her portrayal in the movie “Freddy vs. Jason” left me quite surprised. She seemingly took creative liberties with her character, improvising a monologue that unfortunately contained a derogatory term towards another man. Beyond this questionable dialogue, her performance veered into obnoxious territory, even for the over-the-top demands of a slasher film. By the time Kia was hurled into a tree at breakneck speed by Jason, it was a welcome moment of respite. Although “Freddy vs. Jason” isn’t primarily about acting, Rowland’s casting choice did seem to detract from the overall quality of the movie.

7. Gavin Rossdale

Constantine

While it leans more towards superhero genre than horror, the movie “Constantine” undeniably contains enough chilling supernatural elements to make a compelling horror film. Interestingly, Keanu Reeves seems particularly suited for his role, despite the film carrying a slight imbalance due to a notable miscasting. To add to this, Gavin Rossdale, a former musician who appeared in “Zoolander” after Bush disbanded, took on the role of the half-demon character Balthazar in “Constantine.

In this somber setting, Rossdale’s portrayal is quite flamboyant and sociable. He strives to project a self-assured, swaggering image of a villain, but instead, he appears comical, seeming more like he’s trying to charm John Constantine than intimidate him. With his half-demon makeup on, he veers even deeper into the realm of over-the-top camp, shaking his head and spitting with every word. In contrast to the generally subdued characters, Rossdale is a peculiar exception.

6. Cary Elwes

Saw

Regrettably, it’s not just Chris Rock who finds himself in an unusual spot within the cast of the Saw movies. In fact, the original Saw film featured an unexpected oversight in the quality of victims, particularly Cary Elwes as Dr. Lawrence Gordon. Before his role in Saw, Elwes was famously known for his charming portrayal of a heroic protagonist in The Princess Bride, a part he played exceptionally well.

In the starkly brutal world depicted in “Saw”, Elwes’ theatrical demeanor stands out jarringly. Compared to robust, solid acting from Danny Glover’s Detective Tapp and Michael Emerson’s Zep, Elwes seems utterly misplaced, delivering lines with an overpowering intensity that feels uncomfortable. His curses sound forced, and as the movie is re-watched, it becomes more evident that the chivalrous character in tights was ill-suited for this gruesome slasher film, especially given his role as a victim of the torture central to the series’ title.

5. Johnny Depp

Tusk

In a blend of horror and comedy, Kevin Smith’s movie “Tusk” manages to pull off a unique mix of elements that resembles a half-horror flick, half light-hearted stoner comedy. The absurdity of the protagonist being forced into a walrus suit is handled surprisingly well. However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Johnny Depp’s character, Detective Guy LaPointe, appears on screen. This character, with his French-Canadian background, beret, exaggerated mustache, and cigarette, seems more like a caricature from a satirical cartoon than a serious detective character in a movie.

The prolonged medium-close shot showing Johnny Depp in a strange outfit, speaking in over-the-top French, lasts too long and disrupts the tension the movie is trying to build. Although Tusk uses its unusual plot and unlikeable protagonist for comedy, Depp’s character feels out of place with the rest of the film. To improve the movie, it would be beneficial to remove this unfunny character from the story.

4. Zooey Deschanel

The Happening

Without a doubt, one of the more notable flops in the film career of M. Night Shyamalan, The Happening, certainly has its fair share of issues. The idea that plants trigger people to commit suicide is puzzling at best, and the storyline seems aimless with no clear path, making the entire movie a strangely entertaining and unintentional comedy. Despite the peculiar acting from stars like Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo, Zooey Deschanel delivers her signature detached performance.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself greatly contrasting Mark Wahlberg’s intense, almost exaggerated portrayal of fear – a performance that seemed more akin to flaring nostrils than convincing acting – with Zooey Deschanel’s reserved performance in “The Happening.” Her delivery lacked even the tiniest hint of panic, making her responses to each gruesome suicide seem almost detached.

In comparison, other performances in the film were fraught with concern and tension as they navigated the peculiar circumstances. However, Deschanel’s portrayal stood out starkly, as she kept her emotional hand close to her chest, never venturing to embrace the madness that enveloped the story.

3. Chloë Grace Moretz

Carrie

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve noticed that horror movie reboots are quite common these days. The successful ones manage to enhance the original story by incorporating contemporary acting methods that make the film more relatable for today’s audience. Regrettably, the 2013 remake of “Carrie” missed this opportunity in a significant way, primarily due to their choice for Carrie herself – Chloë Grace Moretz. Now, I must clarify that Chloë is far from a mediocre actress; she was exceptional as Hit Girl at just 13 years old in the “Kick-Ass” series. However, her portrayal of Carrie White didn’t seem to resonate with the character as deeply as it could have.

Regrettably, in the remake, Mortez seems unable to convincingly portray Carrie as she did in the original. Although the other actors deliver chilling performances towards her character, the fear, guilt, and terror that the original version conveyed are largely missing here. When Carrie is drenched with pig’s blood, her reaction lacks the expected revulsion; instead, it appears more like annoyance at a spilled beverage rather than sheer horror. Given how intensely the film strives to be disturbing and depraved, this subdued performance fails to meet the mark.

2. Daniel Edward Sidney Lloyd

The Shining

In today’s era, child acting has significantly advanced, and movies from the past, particularly horror films that relied on children to evoke fear, often faced an uphill struggle. However, even by the standards of child actors in the 80s, Daniel Lloyd as Danny Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining was the film’s most notable flaw. Interestingly, it isn’t fair to criticize Lloyd for this performance.

As a film aficionado, I can’t help but marvel at the unique approach Stanley Kubrick took during the making of “The Shining.” Contrary to popular belief, he deftly misled Danny Lloyd, the child actor who portrayed Danny Torrance. Kubrick kept him under the impression that the film was a mundane domestic drama rather than the supernatural thriller it truly was. This trick resulted in an intriguing performance – Danny appears calm and clueless even when he should have been petrified, starkly contrasting with his terrified mother. While Kubrick’s methods may have had noble intentions, history has shown that trusting children with the full horror of movie-making can yield stunning results.

1. Brad Pitt

Se7en

David Fincher’s masterpiece, “Se7en“, presents a chilling narrative of relentless murder that might leave experienced horror viewers queasy. While Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey deliver impressive performances throughout the grisly crime saga, Brad Pitt as Detective David Mills doesn’t quite measure up to their caliber. Despite his on-screen partnership with Gwyneth Paltrow as his character’s wife, Pitt appears consistently overpowered in comparison.

This point is particularly valid in the controversial finale, where Brad Pitt’s overly dramatic question, “What’s in the box?“, resembles a frustrated child on Christmas more than an individual facing grave horrors. His responses to John Doe’s heinous acts seem excessively theatrical when compared to the understated yet brilliant performances of Morgan Freeman and Richard Roundtree. While it doesn’t entirely detract from the film, Brad Pitt in Se7en showcases some of the greatest untapped potential in the realm of horror.

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2025-04-23 13:29

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