10 MORE Forgotten Horror Movie Scream Queens
1. Lin Shaye
Lin Shaye achieved the hugely impressive feat of obtaining her own horror franchise at the age of 67. However, for dedicated genre fans, Shaye had been a presence for quite some time before her rise to mainstream attention.
Before taking on Elise Rainier, Shaye's most remembered role in horror cinema was a scene stealing performance as a teacher in Wes Craven's 1984 classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. Prior to this she also had an equally quirky bit-part in the 1982 slasher movie Alone in the Dark, sharing the screen with Donald Pleasence.
More sizeable offerings would come in 1986 and 1988 when Shaye played Sal in Critters and its sequel Critters 2: The Main Course. For the first time she really shows her talents as an actress, eliciting the comic-relief with her over-the-top hysterics.
As a dramatic actress, prior to Insidious Shaye's crowning achievement was her role in the 2003 psychological horror Dead End. Playing a matriarch that's slowly losing touch with reality, Shaye is easily the film's stand-out cast member.
With her post-Insidious fame, Shaye has embraced horror roles further and seemingly worked non-stop alternating between more commercial big-screen project and independent chillers. Be it Blumhouse's Ouija films, 2020's The Grudge or lesser known flicks like The Midnight Man or Room For Rent, Shaye is always on top form. With over 40 horror roles to her name, she truly is an unsung Scream Queen.