Oscar-Worthy 2024 Horror Performances: Hugh Grant, Margaret Qualley and More

Every year, there are outstanding performances that horror fans have come to accept probably won’t get the awards recognition they deserve due to their genre. Obviously, there are notable exceptions; but for every Kathy Bates in “Misery,” there’s Toni Collette in “Hereditary.”

It’s unfortunate that horror isn’t held in higher esteem, as it’s genuinely one of the hardest to get right. It’s a tricky balance, and it can easily go awry. One false move and your over-the-top turns will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. This year, in particular, has been great not only for genre films but also for the actors in them. In a just world, here are some of this year’s actors who would be recognized by Oscar voters.

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Hugh Grant, “Heretic”
Perhaps the strongest shot at breaking into the race, the always reliable Grant is perfectly cast as Mr. Reed, a seemingly ordinary man who invites two Mormon missionaries into his home and — well, you’ll have to see. It was a stroke of genius on the part of writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods to have Grant bring the specific mannerisms he utilized so well in rom-coms and filter them through a horror lens. It also helps that the pair have written a smart script that balances its frights with thoughtful theological conversation —and a wicked humor. Grant is way overdue for his first Oscar nomination (as justice for “Florence Foster Jenkins” and “Paddington 2”!!), and it’s impossible to imagine anyone else in the role.

Willa Fitzgerald, “Strange Darling”
Again, the less said about the plot of JT Mollner’s twisted thriller the better. Suffice to say, it’s a fairly straightforward serial killer story that works largely because of Fitzgerald’s pitch-perfect turn. Mollner unmoors audiences by telling the story out of sequence, but Fitzgerald also finds a new spin on what might feel familiar. In many ways, it feels like she’s playing several different characters — all brilliantly.

David Dastmalchian, “Late Night With the Devil”
For me, Dastmalchian delivers the star turn of the year, a bravura performance from a beloved supporting/character actor that more than proves he can (and should) carry a film. Cameron and Colin Cairnes’ found footage/documentary style chiller takes audiences on a ride as Jack Delroy, a 1970s talk show host desperate to scare up ratings by holding a live exorcism on his show. Dastmalchian gets to play it all — disbelief, arrogance, grieving, terrified — sometimes in the same moment.

Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”
While many have rightfully praised Moore’s daring turn as an aging star who goes to extreme methods to maintain her youth, her excellent turn would be nothing without Qualley’s support. While Moore nails the despair, self-loathing and insecurity of a woman in a world that values appearances above all else, Qualley is just as fearless as the woman who benefits from it. The two are inextricably tied together — quite literally and figuratively — in the film.

Nicolas Cage, “Longlegs”
Audiences are used to bold choices from Cage, and it’s a testament to “Longlegs” that the actor can still surprise us. Playing a disfigured killer, who makes a maximum impact with limited screen time, Cage might actually be able to break the genre bias for his performance. It helps that he’s an Oscar winner and a beloved public figure — and that he’s competing in the supporting actor race where scene-stealing turns like his fare better.

Justice Smith, “I Saw the TV Glow”
At a young age, Smith has already shown his range in a wide variety of films, from lighthearted fun like “Detective Pikachu” to a weepy drama like “All the Bright Places.” But he is particularly commanding in Jane Schoebrun’s eerie psychological drama about a pair of friends whose favorite show causes them to question their sanity and identity. The actor goes from an outcast teen to middle-aged shell of a man in a sensitive, subtle turn that you’ll feel in your bones.  

Honorable mentions: Emily Hampshire (“Humane”), Carolyn Bracken (“Oddity”) and Nell Tiger Free (“The First Omen.”)