10 Unexpectedly Intense Performances In Horror Movies

Linda Blair's haunting performance in The Exorcist is so iconic, it seemed impossible for anyone else in the franchise to compete with her. However, Brad Dourif comes close. 

Throughout Exorcist III, Lieutenant Kinderman (George C. Scott) interrogates a nameless patient (Dourif) who claims to be the deceased Gemini Killer. During the investigation, Kinderman learns the patient is telling the truth about his identity and cheated death by transferring his soul into Father Karras, who supposedly died during the events in The Exorcist's climax.

Due to his slender frame, Patient X doesn't look physically threatening, but once he starts ranting, it's not hard to buy that this inmate could kill anyone with his bare hands. Although his voice is modulated to sound more demonic, Patient X is just as intimidating while speaking normally, and with his diatribe usually directed toward the camera, that makes it far more uncomfortable to listen to.

During these moments, Dourif showcases an astounding ability to maintain the same facial expression whether he's perfectly calm or screaming at the top of his lungs. Even when Dourif speaks in a subdued tone, he has tears in his eyes and veins bulging across his temples, indicating his character is always a moment away from snapping.