![]() 2019 was a fantastic year for horror fans from film to pro wrestling and beyond. There’s just too much to put on one list... ...At this time of year, we get a lot of "Top 10" film lists, but performances in the genre sometimes get overlooked. So, with 2020 on the horizon, here are some of my favorite films and performances of the year. 10. Brightburn - Jackson A. Dunn What if when Superman arrived on Earth as a child, it wasn’t to save the world but to conquer it? While not connected to the DC Universe, the undertones are still there in Brightburn. It’s an interesting merging of superheroes and horror with hints of more going on in this world, possibly setting up a Justice League or more standalone sequels down the line. Playing the darker version of a young Superman, Brandon, Jackson Dunn delivers perhaps one of my favorite performances in the creepy kid category. As the film progresses and Brandon begins to exhibit more problematic behavior, there’s a silent intensity to his stare and demeanor that leaves you chilled to the bone by the end. (Read our review here) 9. Crawl - Kaya Scodelario Creature features seem to be a rarity these days in mainstream horror, especially when said creature isn’t a shark or a spider. So it came to no surprise that this film ticked all the boxes. Throwing in the hurricane element, the Crawl felt like a claustrophobic race against the clock reminiscent of Red Eye or The Shallows. Crawl could have been vastly different without Alexandre Aja in the director's chair, but more vital than anyone is star Kaya Scodelario, who does a fantastic job as Haley, wonderfully conveying the fear and urgency her character goes through in this pulse-pounding creature feature. 8. Doctor Sleep - Rebecca Ferguson 2019 was a great year to be a Stephen King fan and what better film to ring out the year with than Doctor Sleep. While anyone would be intimidated by following up The Shining, especially given how beloved the Kubrick film is, director Mike Flanagan manages to deliver by paying homage not only to the film but King’s book as well. Rebecca Ferguson’s charmingly enigmatic performance as Rose the Hat was one of my personal favorite parts of the film and watching her go toe to toe with Ewan McGregor’s Danny Torrance will probably go down as one of my favorite hero/villain dynamics of all time. (Read our review here) 7. Happy Death Day 2U - Jessica Rothe While taking a more science fiction route this go around, the Happy Death Day franchise takes what made the first film and expands upon it with Happy Death Day 2U. It is a shame that we might not get a sequel as the franchise had the potential to deliver more shenanigans and insane deaths, but found itself in a loop of poor box office numbers. If you watched the first film, then it comes as no surprise that Jessica Rothe (returning as Tree) once again delivers a fun and heartfelt performance as her character is dealt with a second chance in more ways than one. Rothe, like pervious entires on this list, carries the film, and it’s hard to picture anyone else in the role of Tree. (Read our review here) 6. Tigers Are Not Afraid - Paola Lara If there was a worthy successor to Pan’s Labyrinth it would be Issa López’s modern day fairytale, Tigers Are Not Afraid. The film blends reality, fantasy and horror with heartbreaking results. It is a film that will leave you reeling and shedding a few tears by the end. What can be said about Paola Lara's performance as our heroine, Estrella, other than I was blown away by a young actor delivering such a powerful, moving performance in a role that never seems to large for her. I would not be surprised to see her in future films as she should have a promising career ahead. (Read our review here) 5. Ready or Not - Samara Weaving Family game night takes on a whole new meaning with Ready or Not. The 95 minutes virtually fly by as you watch this cat and mouse game unfold. With the film now available on digital and physical home media, it would not be surprising if Ready or Not eventually becomes a cult classic. A horror film is only as good as its final girl though, and nowhere is that more plain to see than with Samara Weaving’s entertaining performance as Grace. It’s not hard to see why she’s become the latest entry into the Scream Queen club and I look forward to seeing what she does next in the Horror genre. (Read our review here) 4. IT: Chapter Two - Bill Hader & James Ransone (tie) The conclusion to the IT storyline merges both past and present when the Loser’s Club returns to finish off Pennywise. Chapter Two felt like a study on dealing with childhood trauma and/or returning home to face the past. The film delivers memorable moments and scares with the bleachers scene being one of the prime examples of why Pennywise will and has always terrified the masses. While each character is given their chance to shine, Bill Hader (Richie) and James Ransone (Eddie) steal the show. While Richie is mostly presented as the group’s jester and Eddie as the hypochondriac, there’s more beneath the surface and hinted at between them with various scenes, one in particular that left myself and others in tears. (Read our review here) 3. The Lighthouse - Willem Dafoe & Robert Pattinson (tie) Nobody does isolationist horror like director Robert Eggers. Moving away from the Puritan farmstead in The VVitch to a 19th Century Lighthouse, the film is an interesting character study as well as a slow build that leaves you questioning your own sanity by the end. It’s one of the best psychological horror films since It Follows. It's time to spill the beans, it was difficult to just pick one performance from this film that I enjoyed as both Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson deliver great performances. Both characters are like two sides of the same coin yet totally different and equally captivating. (Read our review here) 2. Midsommar - Florence Pugh If you thought Ari Aster’s Hereditary was a crazy ride of a movie then buckle up for his second feature film because this Midsommar is a doozy (and that’s all I can say without spoiling it). This Wicker Man esque film delivers a memorable ending that sticks with you well after the credits roll. Like many on this list, it’s hard to imagine another actress besides Florence Pugh in the role of Dani. She delivers a memorable performance ranging from moments of subtlety to emotional devastation by the end of this slow building rollercoaster ride. (Read our review here) 1. Us - Lupita Nyong’o After the success of Get Out, 2019 was a busy year for director Jordan Peele. So it was no surprise that his directorial project would be interesting. Taking the home invasion trope in a unique direction with a twist, Us is a film that leaves you with more questions than answers. Star Lupita Nyong’o delivers a standout performance as both Adelaide and Red. She virtually disappears into the roles and manages to craft both a memorable horror movie villain and heroine in the same film, a rare accomplishment for an actor. (Read our review here) What are your favorite films and performances of 2019? By Kalani Landgraf
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