10 Great Performances In Recent Horror Movies
3. Yaya Abdul-Mateen II - Candyman
2021’s sequel to the original 1992 gothic horror classic saw Jordan Peele and director Nia DeCosta resurrect one of cinemas’ greatest supernatural slashers. Whilst some critics were left divided by this modern take on the classic villain - here seeing struggling artist Anthony become embroiled in the supernatural history of Cabrini-Green and the film's ghoulish namesake - longtime fans were awed at this new take on the story.
Riffing on the established neo-gothic mythos of the original, Peele and DeCosta introduced more pronounced themes of marginalization, gentrification, art-world snobbery and police brutality and, although a bit shaky, it largely sticks the landing.
No one had bigger shoes to fill than Yaya Abdul-Mateen II, though. Stepping into a role made immortal by the legendary Tony Todd. Mateen rose to the occasion and then some. Serving a delirious performance of a man at once obsessed with his subject and terrified at his own gruesome transformation. Mateen brought class and intensity in equal measure for a true one-two punch of a performance that was completely worthy of Todd’s original. He really gave new meaning to the phrase “tortured artist”.