10 Best Performances From 2024 Horror Movies

10. James McAvoy - Speak No Evil

Even those who decried the very existence of the Hollywood remake of Dutch-Danish psychological horror film Speak No Evil couldn't deny that the entire enterprise was held firmly together, even in its most sanitised moments, by James McAcoy's utterly electrifying performance.

McAvoy plays the central antagonist, serial killer Paddy, and brings an unnerving intensity to the part far above that of his counterpart, Fedja van Huêt, in the original film.

Beyond cutting one hell of an imposing physique, McAvoy does a marvellous job bouncing chaotically between simmering calm and explosive psychopathy. It is a performance that balances on a razor's edge, boasting just enough psychological plausibility while being a whole ton of terrifying fun to watch.

Needless to say, McAvoy's swinging-for-the-fences performance ensures you'll never think of the songs "Cotton Eye Joe" or "Eternal Flame" the same way ever again. His work here is so good it basically solely justifies the remake's existence.