It’s been quite the year for horror fans across the board, and there’s been no shortage of good content. We’ve seen a return for beloved or forgotten franchises, original horror, and horror TV. As someone who tries their best to keep up, I’ve seen a decent amount this year. Of course not everything, because accessibility to film festivals is an issue for me. And there’s still horror media that I haven’t seen quite yet. Why? My watchlist is ever-growing, and 2024 has been…let’s just say a time and leave it at that.
Narrowing down top 10 or top anything, is nearly impossible for me personally. However, I was able to do it and I crawled over mental glass for this task. I’ve decided to go with my favorite performances in horror TV and films from women. As of the time of writing this, I’m still waiting to see or consume certain films, TV shows, and the like. Therefore, this list is just what I’ve seen all the way through and can confirm are some of my favorite horror film and TV performances strictly from women in 2024.
Film: Alien: Romulus
Performances: Cailee Spaeny as Rain and Isabela Merced as Kay
A return to form is precisely what Alien: Romulus is and it scratches every Alien itch. Fede Álvarez’s vision is very clear in this prequel set before Aliens (1986) that follows a young crew who experience terror when they explore an abandoned ship. Two of the three best performances in this film are from Cailee Spaeny and Isabela Merced. Cailee Spaeny’s performance as Rain is the embodiment of previous final girls in the franchise. Meanwhile, Isabela Merced’s performance as Kay captures real terror as soon as shit hits the fan. Both ladies deliver what’s required of their character arcs and that’s a big thumbs up for me.
Film: Longlegs
Performance: Maika Monroe as Lee Harker
If there’s one thing that Oz Perkins does well, it’s creating an incredibly atmospheric horror movie. Longlegs follows FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), who is set on finding the serial killer responsible for brutal and bizarre killings in Oregon. Maika Monroe is a modern-day scream queen and has earned her status through various projects, including this one. Her performance as Lee lends to the unsettling atmosphere, and also presents us with a mildly implied neurodivergent character. All in all, this performance is what helps make Longlegs a standout horror film for 2024.
Film: Strange Darling
Performance: Willa Fitzgerald as “The Lady”
Love hurts indeed, and Willa Fitzgerald further proves that in JT Mollner’s critically acclaimed hit, Strange Darling. In the film, not everything is as it seems as the Lady (Willa Fitzgerald) flees from a man she attempted to have a one-night stand with. Willa Fitzgerald’s powerhouse performance in Strange Darling is memorable and magnificent. It's far apart from her role in the first two seasons of the Scream MTV series. This role further proves that she works so well in the genre and deserves all the accolades for her performance as “the Lady”.
Film: It’s What’s Inside
Performances: The women in the main cast
What’s not to love about a body swap that goes entirely wrong and bonkers because a group of friends is dysfunctional? Greg Jardin’s incredibly stylish sci-fi comedy horror film follows a group of friends and their night of madness when they decide to swap bodies in two rounds using a special machine. The performances all around are fantastic, as the actors are having to play each other, but I’m spotlighting the women right now. And they all nail their performances throughout, especially Brittany O’Grady as Shelby and Alycia Debnam-Carey.
Film: The Substance
Performances: Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle and Margaret Qualley as Sue
Coralie Fargeat’s film efforts have both been stellar, and The Substance is her second film with terrific leading ladies in Demi Moore as Elisabeth Sparkle and Margaret Qualley as Sue. Both performances are such a high point for this film. Instead of holding back and shying away from the campiness and the gross-out body horror, Moore and Qualley delight in it. Without either of them being the leads of The Substance, I’m not entirely sure it would land the same way. At the end of the day, The Substance is partially great because of their performances.
Film: The First Omen
Performance: Nell Tiger Free as Margaret
As far as prequels go, The First Omen is an ambitious reproductive horror film from Arkasha Stevenson that is unafraid to deliver. Nell Tiger Free as Margaret is captivating in this prequel to The Omen that follows a nun that uncovers a sinister plot regarding the birth of the antichrist. Her commitment to delivering the best possible performance could silence anyone who doubted this prequel would be good. Overall, without a strong lead in a horror film that covers such heavy subject matter, the film’s effectiveness winds up on shaky ground. Thankfully, Nell Tiger Free did exactly what she needed to and deserves the praise.
Show: Interview with the Vampire Season 2
Performance: Delainey Hayles as Claudia
Taking over for another actor that fans fell in love with in a previous season is quite the task. Yet Delainey Hayles was able to do it effortlessly in Interview with the Vampire season 2. Delainey Hayles captures the essence of Claudia and further develops her character from what is a brilliant first season. Her journey as a Black woman trapped in the body of a teenager is continually heart-wrenching, not to mention her falling in love with a woman and eventually meeting her tragic death. And all of that is depicted so beautifully by Delainey Hayles throughout the season.
Show: Chucky Season 3
Performance: Jennifer Tilley as Tiffany Valentine
Discussing Jennifer Tilley’s performance as Tiffany Valentine in the Child’s Play franchise always comes from a place of fondness. The commitment and love Jennifer Tilly has for Tiffany’s character is consistent and shines through what is now the final season of Chucky. Her campy line delivery and physical performance are part of the charm of what is a beloved and very queer horror franchise. Despite Chucky season 3 being the final season, Jennifer Tilly brings the same energy as the previous two seasons. And she’s always a delight to watch whenever she pops up.
Film: Terrifer 3
Performance: Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw
Terrifier has become a horror sensation as far as the franchise and Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) goes. The third installment follows Sienna Shaw five years after the events of Terrifier 2 and Art’s continued pursuit of her. Terrifier 3, much like the previous two films, is full of gore and gross-out moments. And Lauren LaVera is back with a stellar performance as a likable final girl. The performance helps anchor the film to a semblance of reality, and LaVera’s love for what she’s doing shines through entirely. Terrifier 3 wouldn’t be nearly as good without her.
Film: Smile 2
Performance: Naomi Scott as Skye Riley
The announcement of Smile 2 had people naturally skeptical because horror sequels aren’t always needed. Smile 2 is one of those cases where it’s an actually good sequel. Naomi Scott’s committed performance is the perfect thing to drive the film home. Instead of being a vapid pop star with no depth, she’s a flawed woman who is trying to maintain sobriety. And it makes you care what happens to her throughout Smile 2’s runtime. Not to mention how we need more women of color at the forefront in every horror subgenre.
Vanessa Maki is a queer Blerd, freelance writer, and artist. She has written for a variety of publications including Pink Advocate, Dread Central, The Mary Sue, Hear Us Scream and many more. She's a former regular contributor for Pink Advocate and The Mary Sue. Currently she's a contributor for But Why Tho? You can find her on Twitter and IG @theblackbuffy.
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