Linda Blair (THE EXORCIST), Jamie Lee Curtis (HALLOWEEN), Sissy Spacek (CARRIE) and Neve Campbell (SCREAM) rightfully earned the “scream queen” title in their day. Appearing in some of the most iconic and well-received horror films of all time, these women not only frightened audiences but helped redefine the horror genre.
So who will follow in their footsteps and keep horror movies fresh, fun, and scary? We Are Indie Horrorpicked a few our favorite millennial scream queens.
Alex Essoe
Alex Essoe is the epitome of a scream queen. With over 15 horror credits to her name, Alex is shaping up to be the next Danielle Harris. Some of her most recent horror films include THE NEIGHBOR, TALES OF HALLOWEEN, MIDNIGHTERS, and DARK INTENTIONS. In 2014 Alex received praise for playing an aspiring young actress in STARRY EYES.
STARRY EYES follows a hopeful young starlet who uncovers the ominous origins of the Hollywood elite and enters into a deadly agreement in exchange for fame and fortune. Entertainment Weekly raved “Horror fans should keep their eyes on the filmmakers – and Essoe, who gives a star-making performance.”
Emma Roberts
With two hit TV shows under her belt – “American Horror Story” and “Scream Queens” – Emma Robertshas helped bring horror to the living room TV. But her latest role in Oz Perkins’ (Norman Bates’ real-life son!) horror/thriller THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER may be her creepiest and most impressive performance to date! Starring alongside Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Boynton, this atmospheric and terrifying film follows two students, Kat (Shipka) and Rose (Boynton), who are left alone at their prep school while Joan (Roberts), a troubled young woman is determined to get to the prep school as fast as she can.
The movie builds to the moment when the two stories intersect, setting the stage for a shocking and unforgettable twist. Emma gives a fantastic performance that is much different than her roles in her horror TV shows. A24 and DirecTV will release THE BLACKCOAT’S DAUGHTER in theaters and On Demand on March 31.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Last year’s folk horror THE WITCH introduced the world to Anya Taylor-Joy. The 20-year-old made her feature film debut as Thomasin in the critically hailed 1700s horror, a film that artfully showcased witchcraft, black magic, and possession. Shortly after THE WITCH, Anya went on to work with M. Night Shyamalanin his latest film SPLIT. In SPLIT Anya plays Casey, one of the three girls who have been kidnapped by a man with a diagnosed 23 distinct personalities. The girls must try to escape before the apparent emergence of a frightful new 24th. With two of the most successful horror films of the last 5 years under her belt, we’re confident Anya will be scaring audiences for years to come in artist and critically acclaimed genre films. See SPLIT in theaters now and catch THE WITCH on VOD!
Jane Levy
Jane first caught our attention as Mia in the 2013 EVIL DEAD remake, but really started to make waves this year when she starred in the certified fresh horror DON’T BREATH. In “one of the most relentless horror movies in recent memory” (Slash Film), Jane plays Rocky, one of three thieves who break into a blind man’s home thinking they’ll walk away with a fortune. Instead, they become trapped in his house and must find a way to escape before they become the newest victims. DON’T BREATH was a sharp, suspenseful and chilling take on the home invasion storyline. We’re excited to catch Jane in an episode of David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” reboot coming later this year.
Taissa Farmiga
Younger sister of another, slightly older, scream queen, Vera Farmiga (THE CONJURING, ORPHAN), Taissa is best known for her leading roles in “American Horror Story.” She has played a teenage ghost and a witch in the horror anthology. But our favorite Taissa role came when she played Max Cartwright in the horror comedy THE FINAL GIRLS.
An homage to 80s slashers, THE FINAL GIRLS follows Max who is grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s. She finds herself pulled into the world of her mom’s most famous slasher film. Max, her mom (played by Malin Akerman), and the rest of the cast must fight off the film’s killer to be the last one standing. We highly recommended this one!
