This time of year we begin hearing more and more about "awards movies," or films that are under consideration for awards recognition, possibly even Academy Awards. Horror movies, however, and the actors who appear in them, often receive short shrift when it comes to awards consideration.
But that's a serious miscarriage of justice, given that some of the most extraordinary performances in recent years have come in horror movies. Even when the acting takes a back seat to the vibrant action on screen, the quality of the performances is often much higher than might be expected, as the following examples demonstrate.
Natalie Portman, Black Swan (2010)
The young actress endeared herself to viewers with her brave turn in 1994's The Professional, and continued to win fans with her performances in both starring and supporting roles. Her first stab at a horror movie came as a tortured dancer in Darren Aronofsky's psychological thriller, a movie that dug deep into very dark emotions. Portman deservedly walked away with an Oscar.
Halle Berry, Gothika (2003)
After winning an Academy Award for her startling turn in the gritty drama Monster's Ball, the actress showed up opposite James Bond in Die Another Day, reprised her superhero turn in X2, and then tried her hand at the supernatural in this thriller about a psychiatrist who wakes up in an asylum with no memories. She is much better than the film's middling reputation might suggest.
Jodie Foster, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Foster burst forth into Hollywood at a young age with standout performances in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Her Anymore and Taxi Driver, continuing to develop her skills in a series of lower-profile films throughout the 1980s, culminating in her Academy Award-winning role in The Accused. As the star of Jonathan Demme's spine-tingling suspense thriller, she earned another little gold man.
Anthony Hopkins, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
In a film career that began in the late 1960s, Hopkins occasionally starred in horror films such as Audrey Rose (1977) and Magic (1978), but it was his brief, Oscar-winning turn as Dr. Hannibal Lecter that redefined the distinguished actor for a new generation.
(Note: Clip is NSFW because of a single word.)
Kathy Bates, Misery (1990)
The actress built a sterling reputation on Broadway as a stage actress, though she also made frequent appearances in supporting roles on television. Her incredible performance as Annie Wilkes, ranging from quiet adoration to pitch-black anger, earned her an Academy Award.
Jack Nicholson, The Shining (1980)
As a young actor, Nicholson made appearances in the Roger Corman-produced scare flicks The Little Shop of Horrors, The Terror, and The Raven, but once he became a star, he waited to dabble in horror again until he worked with director Stanley Kubrick on this adaptation of a Stephen King bestseller, giving an absolutely chilling performance.
