10 Horror Movies Actors Want Us To Forget
8. Keanu Reeves: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
In the 1990s, Keanu Reeves was EVERYWHERE. Rising quickly to the top of the A-list with his turns in the Bill and Ted series and the action-thriller Point Break, by 1991 Reeves was the definition of Hollywood's "golden boy."
That same year, Reeves was cast in his first horror film, Bram Stoker's Dracula. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and surrounded by an all-star cast including Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Winona Ryder and Cary Elwes, the film seemed like a sure-fire winner. Reeves was cast as Jonathan Harker, the unfortunate lawyer chosen by Count Dracula to manage his affairs, only to discover the Count's bloodthirsty ways.
Some may be completely flabbergasted to find a film of this calibre on such a list. The picture opened to a strong box office and ultimately grossed $240 million, eventually winning three Academy Awards, which is no small feat for a horror film. However, it is not the quality of the film that lands it here on this list, but rather Reeves' performance in it. Whilst the film's reception was largely positive, critical response to Reeves' performance was scathing. Many felt the young star was out of his depth as an actor, with Oscar winners like Oldman and Hopkins "blasting" him off the screen. Chief among the criticism was Reeves' attempt at a high-society English accent. His questionable dialect often makes Jonathan Harker sound more like someone that recently acquired the English tongue rather than a dashing, eloquent businessman, and Reeves' work here is often listed among the worst movie accents of all time. In the 30 years since the film's release, Keanu has apologized multiple times for his patchy performance, blaming age and inexperience.
Although it was his first time feeling critical wrath, Reeves' performance didn't hurt his career, as he'd continue to ascend to the heights of Speed, The Matrix, and John Wick. He is still considered Hollywood royalty and an all-around nice guy, but still, watching him cringe when a ribbing talk show host pulls out a clip of Bram Stoker's Dracula is always chuckle-worthy.