10 Times Horror Movie Directors Gave INSANE Performances As Actors
6. Wes Craven - New Nightmare
It's a pity New Nightmare tanked upon its release, since it was the most creative instalment in the A Nightmare On Elm Street franchise since the first one.
In this meta-slasher, Freddy Krueger invades the real world, tormenting the actors and crew of the Nightmare films. Desperate to protect her family and friends, the original Final Girl, Heather Langenkamp, does all she can to put a stop to the fedora-sporting dream demon.
Since the story is based directly on the Nightmare on Elm Street universe, several people connected to the IP play versions of themselves, including the story's creator, Wes Craven. When Langenkamp asks him for help, Craven reveals he only made the Nightmare on Elm Street movies to imprison a supernatural entity, who has taken the form of Freddy. Unless he makes another instalment, The Entity will continue to roam free.
As bonkers as this revelation is, Craven's understated performance sells it. He embodies a Frankenstein-like archetype who's grappling with the consequences of his own creation. Rather than hamming it up, Craven utilises candor and dry humour, anchoring the trippy premise into reality.