20 Best Performances In Horror Movies

What is there to say about Jack Nicholson's disturbing performance in Stanley Kubrick's Stephen King adaptation that hasn't already been said?

The Shining - despite King's issues with the final product - is one of the most famous and beloved horror movies ever made, and central to the film's success stands Jack Nicholson as the menacing family-man-turned-murderer Jack Torrance.

Nicholson has had a plethora of daring and energetic roles over the years, but he's never been as all-out terrifying and committed to his evil ways than he is here. Every laugh, violent outburst and threat is delivered with twisted delight, ensuring that the scare factor of the movie is ramped up to eleven whenever Nicholson's on the screen.

Between the film's haunting visuals, impressive quotability (you know the one) and Kubrick's painstakingly perfect direction, The Shining is undeniably an all-timer, and Nicholson performance as a loving family man lost to insanity remains its crowning achievement.