There are roles in movies that absolutely creep people right the heck out and there’s no shame in saying so. Some actors are so invested in their roles that they can truly scare people in such a way that they leave the theater shaking, some in tears, and some needing a stiff drink afterwards just to calm down. These actors are either so into the role that they don’t notice the reaction of those around them or are fully aware and are still willing to go the extra mile and do what they can to see if they drive people into the arms of a psychiatrist. That seems almost mean but the actors are just playing the part.
The Dark Knight – Heath Ledger
Ledger’s terror really came more on the set but it was still disturbing to see him acting out the part of the Joker. Understandably you need to be a bit off your rocker to play the clown prince, but he took it to such another level that he actually scared costar Michael Caine so badly that Caine kept forgetting his lines. That’s some truly next level terror.
The Shining – Jack Nicholson
What’s really responsible for making this role so disturbing and frightening is that Nicholson got to ad-lib some of his lines, making them up on the spot. He’s not always the easiest person to work with, but his costar was genuinely frightened at some points. Look at the way he’s walking towards her and talking. Wouldn’t you be concerned?
Candyman – Tony Todd
His voice, his bearing, and the very legend of Candyman was enough to make someone think twice about saying his name in the mirror three times. It’s a bit silly really but even the threat of a movie villain popping up behind you ready to shove a rusty, gore-covered hook through your innards has a way of gripping the mind and not letting go.
IT – Bill Skarsgard
Sigh. This was really a toss-up. IT has been personified so wonderfully by Tim Curry and Bill Skarsgard that it’s really hard to choose. But Skarsgard is the current Pennywise and thankfully he’s made the role his own while holding to the bar set by Curry in the 1990 miniseries. On set he absolutely terrified the kids he was working with, but they loved it. On screen it’s already been seen that some people are warning their partners or spouses not to pull any IT-themed pranks later on or it’ll mean getting dumped or sleeping on the couch. Yeah, the movie’s that scary.
Silence of the Lambs – Anthony Hopkins
All respects to Pennywise, but this guy was the one person that brought terror to an all new level that unfortunately rested on a very real level. Dr. Lecter was such a terrifying individual that he could perform some of the most violent acts possible without ever breaking stride or showing more than a moderate amount of emotion. He is the definition of a cold-blooded killer.
There are other actors that have produced scary, heart-thumping roles. But those listed above are the ones that have made us afraid of the dark if only for a little while.
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