10 Great Performances In Otherwise TERRIBLE Horror Movies

5. Judy Greer - Carrie (2013)

William H Macy Psycho
Sony Pictures

Let's face it: Nobody wanted another remake of Carrie.

Brian De Palma's original adaptation is still the definitive take on the novel and all subsequent adaptations have merely lived in its shadow, seemingly afraid to do anything different.

2013's wholly unnecessary take on the novel attempted to modernize the material but did very little else to make it stand apart. It was also subject to some rather interesting casting, with Chloe Grace-Moretz taking on the role of the meek and timid Carrie White, something that immediately didn't sit well with fans.

Where Grace-Moretz doesn't quite capture the vulnerability of Carrie, and Julian Moore's subdued take on Mrs. White plays it a little too safe, Judy Greer manages to remain grounded and sympathetic all throughout the film, softening the edges of Miss Desjardin and making the character her own.

In fact, she's the only character in this film that's remotely likeable, and Greer's performance is undeniably the reason why. She exudes a very maternal warmth and we as an audience genuinely feel that she cares for Carrie and the rest of her students.

They got a lot wrong with this one, but the casting of Greer was a stroke of genius.

Contributor
Contributor

UK based screenwriter, actor and one-half of the always-irreverent Kino Inferno podcast. Purveyor of cult cinema, survival horror games and low-rent slasher films.