Toni Collette is the Queen of Horror and These 6 Movies Prove It
From horror at Christmas to paranormal hauntings, Colette has succeeded in many horror movies.
Horror movies have been an ever-popular genre over the years, and the evolution of horror movies from black and white classics to today's modern concepts has meant that horror fans continue to get that adrenaline rush that every scary movie fanatic loves. The winning elements of a good horror movie - a strong script, edgy direction, eerie sound effects, and shocking visuals - are nothing without the perfect cast.
One of the reigning acting greats is Toni Collette, who has made a subtle shift to horror over the years that has been noteworthy and award-winning. So let's take a look at her 6 best contributions to the genre that make her worthy of the title Queen of Horror.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) 5.7/10
Set in the captivating Los Angeles art world, this wickedly mocking horror tells the story of how insatiable greed can lead to dire consequences. Colette stars as Gretchen, a respected art curator for a prestigious museum who succumbs to the dark and inviting lure of the art business. However, her ruthless pursuit of a highly profitable art deal on some stolen artwork unleashes a sinister and chaotic force into her life, causing supernatural and paranormal hauntings to shroud her and other art collectors in terror.
Krampus (2015) 6.2/10
Krampus is a film that takes the festivities of Christmas and adds a whole new level of horror to the holiday season. The plot revolves around the Engel family's Christmas celebrations and how they go awry when one person's naughtiness summons the Krampus - an evil and vengeful demon who punishes those who don't show true Christmas spirit in their behaviour. Toni Collette plays Sarah Engel, who along with her husband, played by Adam Scott, must survive a blizzard with their 12 relatives while being terrorised by the hoofed and horned Krampus demon.
Fright Night (2011) 6.4/10
Fright Night is a bone-chilling story about a teenage boy, Charles Brewster, who finds out that his new neighbour is not like the other people in his neighbourhood - in fact, he isnt even human. Sceptical at first, Charles soon discovers that the newcomer is a vampire and seeks the help of an expert vampire hunter, played by Peter Vincent. Charles' mother, played by Collette, is an estate agent who also learns of their new neighbours dark secret, and as many horrors unfold, she does her best to protect her son from the new darkness on their formerly quiet street.
Nightmare Alley (2021) 7/10
Adapted from William Lindsay Gresham's page-turning novel, Nightmare Alley follows the life of Stan Carlisle, a character hungry with ambition and shrouded in mystery. When Stan accepts a new job with a travelling carnival, he meets the enigmatic Madame Zeena, played by Collette, who teaches him the tricks of the psychic trade. Over time, Stan hones his new skills and rises to fame and fortune through a web of deception and fraud.
The film delves into the darkest corners of the human mind, unravelling the complexities we all carry within as Del Toro weaves a narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Hereditary (2018) 7.3/10
For Toni Collette, Hereditary has won her such accolades as soul-shattering, hypnotic and phenomenal. She plays Annie Graham, the mother of a family mourning the terrible loss of their 13-year-old daughter. Annie decides to turn to the paranormal to communicate with her deceased daughter, but things take an eerily dark turn when disturbing and inexplicable things begin to happen to her family. As well as becoming a cult classic in the horror genre, Hereditary also launched A24's Ari Aster into a successful career as a filmmaker.
The Sixth Sense (1999) 8.2/10
The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, tells the story of Cole, a six-year-old boy who can see and talk to ghosts. Dr Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, makes Cole an important and priority patient after failing to save a former patient from a tragic incident, and in return Cole encourages Dr Crowe to mend his relationship with his distant wife. Lynn Sear, played by Collette, is Cole's mother, who initially doesn't believe in her son's paranormal abilities, but eventually comes to accept them, worrying throughout for her son’s wellbeing. Collette's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.