Best Horror Movie Performances

Daniel Kaluuya - “Get Out”

In all seriousness, everyone who doesn’t believe Daniel Kaluuya deserves more recognition and applause can “Get Out.” His superb performance in Jordan Peele’s psychological thriller, “Get Out,” excited audience members and had everyone talking about the release in 2018.

Close to perfect the film earned 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, which should be credited to Kaluuya as he played Chris Washington, a man who visits his white girlfriend’s family.

Kaluuya executes what it feels to be uncomfortable impeccably, which is not an easy thing to do. He left watchers in agony but still wanting more.

In an attempt at the correct appreciation, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in the 2028 Academy Awards, but fell short of Gary Oldman’s performance in “Darkest Hour.”

"Get Out" is a special horror film that exigencies laughter, hysterics and dismay; this was all because of the perfect casting. – Natalie Simone

Emily Blunt - “A Quiet Place”

Emily Blunt is one of if not the best actresses currently working. She’s also never received a nomination for an Academy Award.

The concept of “A Quiet Place” tasks many of its actors, as there’s almost no dialogue. Despite this, Blunt overcomes her husband's challenge that he set with this script.

At one point, Blunt has to give birth by herself in a bathtub while trying to remain silent so as not to attract the monsters. Her entire performance is a masterclass and makes it clear why she’s one of the highest-paid actresses in the world.

While Blunt offers a plethora of roles worthy of a nod from the Oscars, her performance in “A Quiet Place” was a snub that likely only occurred due to the genre the movie is in.

Now, Blunt wasn’t entirely snubbed for this performance since she won Best Supporting Actress at the SAG Awards. Somewhat historically, too, as Blunt is the only actress and second actor ever who has won a SAG award for a performance that didn’t get a nomination for an Oscar.

It feels safe that Blunt will secure her first Oscar nomination for her role in “Oppenheimer." Blunt has been deserving far before “A Quiet Place,” but the fact that it didn’t snag her a nomination shows the academy's genre bias. – Sophia D’Ovidio

Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell - “Bones and All”

“Bones and All” was a highly contentious film last year, with some people enjoying the twisted love story between two cannibals, and others wholeheartedly resenting its gruesome nature.

Like the film or not, one thing agreed upon is that Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell both delivered powerhouse performances.

It takes a certain type of actor to be able to romanticize the life of two cannibals on the run and make audiences root for them, which is exactly what Chalamet and Russell did.

Sweet moments between the couple were starkly contrasted with scenes where they had to hunt food, and that meant murdering people.

Russell also shared bone-chilling interactions with Mark Rylance’s character, Sully, who taught her how to embrace what she was.

If the Academy didn’t ignore horror performances for their Awards, both of these actors should have received a nomination. – Kaitlyn Murphy

Natalie Simone is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email nvs5790@psu.edu.

Sophia D’Ovidio is a third-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email sgd5184@psu.edu.

Kaitlyn Murphy is a second-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email kvm6255@psu.edu.