Movies

Jamie Lee Curtis’ Best Horror Film Isn’t What You Think!

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Jamie Lee Curtis became widely recognized for her roles in horror films, however, her exceptional performance following ‘Halloween’ in the ’80s is often overlooked. As the daughter of esteemed actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, Jamie Lee Curtis rose to fame with her breakout role as Laurie Strode, the teenage babysitter, in the 1978 film ‘Halloween’. This groundbreaking movie directed by John Carpenter not only reshaped the emerging slasher genre but also catapulted its young actress into stardom. In the early stages of her career, Curtis focused on horror films before venturing into other genres.

Curtis, who currently holds an Oscar, almost found herself pigeonholed as a “scream queen” during the early 1980s when she starred in several slasher movies following her role in Halloween. She even reprised her character Laurie Strode in Halloween II. However, she displayed a different facet of her talent in the comedy Trading Places, successfully stepping away from horror for many years. Regrettably, some of her early work is not worth remembering, but one of her best films was made in 1981; unfortunately, it has slipped into obscurity.

Roadgames Is Her Best Horror Movie After Halloween

The Aussie Thriller Deserves More Attention

It’s widely agreed that Jamie Lee Curtis shines brightest in Halloween when it comes to horror films, but a lesser-known gem from 1981, Roadgames, is a strong contender for second place. This Australian thriller was helmed by Richard Franklin and stars Stacy Keach as an American long-haul trucker traversing the Outback. As he becomes increasingly convinced that he’s chasing a shadowy serial killer, he teams up with a young hitchhiker portrayed by Curtis to track the suspected murderer across the vast Australian countryside. Unlike many horror films that rely on confined spaces to create a claustrophobic atmosphere, Roadgames uses the expansive Outback as its backdrop.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that what sets “Roadgames” apart is its tightly wound plotline and finely crafted characters that propel the story forward without deviating. The film has an eerie, unsettling vibe that gradually envelops the viewer as Keach’s character Quid seems to unravel. It masterfully deconstructs slasher movie tropes, providing unexpected twists that enhance rather than dilute the overall viewing experience. Moreover, the performances of Keach and Curtis are outstanding, and their characters are fully realized individuals, not mere victims for a slasher villain to slaughter.

Theme-wise, paranoia and isolation are central to the story, and director Richard Franklin (originally from Australia) skillfully tapped into the symbolic eeriness of Australia’s harsh, inhospitable terrain. In the film ‘Roadgames’, the vast Outback serves as an alien environment where protagonist Quid finds himself trapped with a shrouded adversary, and only one can emerge victorious. Despite scenes taking place within a city, the movie exudes an unsettling ambiance, suggesting that the world is crumbling around Quid. The conclusion is purposely puzzling, daring to take a risky turn that few other horror films would attempt.

How Roadgames Compares To Curtis’ Other Horror Movies

Roadgames Isn’t As Accessible As Curtis’ Other Horror Films

The reason why Halloween became such an iconic movie is because it was straightforward and managed to tell an exceptional story with the most basic concept imaginable. Many of Jamie Lee Curtis’ other horror films share this same fundamental approach, though they may not reach the heights of Halloween. Roadgames, on the other hand, is built upon a simple foundation, but its execution sets it apart from typical horror movies, which is why it remains relatively obscure. Although it might surpass films like Prom Night or Terror Train in quality, Roadgames may not appeal as much to the general audience.

Yet, unlike the aforementioned slasher films, Roadgames takes the lead by far, and it’s not merely because it’s a superior movie overall. The character of Jamie Lee Curtis’ Pamela “Hitch” Rushworth is more complex than her typical scream queen roles, offering depth that is often missing in such films. Similar to Laurie Strode from Halloween, Hitch possesses both character and motivation, elements that are usually scarce among horror film characters. In this movie, she had the opportunity to demonstrate a wider range of her acting skills, a facet that was limited following the success of Halloween.

It might be that Roadgames isn’t frequently mentioned in discussions about Curtis’ extensive career because she primarily plays a supporting role in the film. Despite Richard Franklin stating in an interview with Mondo Stumpo that he expanded her character, her part is relatively small compared to other leading roles she had during that period. Unlike many actors who began with minor roles and eventually moved on to lead parts, Curtis quickly rose to fame and maintained it for several years. However, Roadgames and subsequent films demonstrated Jamie Lee Curtis’ ability as a multifaceted actress.

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2025-05-22 12:14

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