10 Best Performances From 2024 Horror Movies
9. Melissa Barrera - Your Monster
Your Monster proved beyond any doubt that Melissa Barrera is so much better suited to dorky horror-comedy roles than more straight-up horror flicks like Scream and Abigail.
Barrera gives an extremely charming performance as Laura Franco, a troubled young woman who attempts to piece her life back together with the help of a monster (Tommy Dewey) she discovers living in her house. The actress' work here is so expertly calibrated to the film's quirky, darkly comedic tone, transforming from a meek young woman into a confident, righteously angry badass, capped off by one of the most intense "freakout" scenes from any movie released this past year.
Her adorable chemistry opposite co-star Tommy Dewey seals the deal, and while not all of the film's twists and turns will work for everyone, it's without question career-best work from Barrera, demonstrating the full range of her acting chops.
Sadly, Your Monster was largely ignored on theatrical release, though it'll hopefully endure as a cult classic now it's available on streaming.