4 Best Samara Weaving Horror Movies That Prove She’s Our Generation’s Scream Queen

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Starting with her first Hollywood appearance in “Monster Trucks” in 2016, Samara Weaving has shown time and again that she is a captivating and exceptionally gifted actress of her era. She excels at delivering high-octane action sequences, drawing emotional responses from the audience, and eliciting laughter, all with an effortlessness that’s striking. However, where she truly shines is in horror films. Whether portraying a hero, a villain, or a character straddling both roles, Weaving consistently elevates any horror movie fortunate enough to feature her, as the following four examples demonstrate.

Some films didn’t make it due to not perfectly aligning with the genre specifications. For example, while “Mayhem” (one of her initial films) is fantastic, it leans more towards action-comedy than horror. Similarly, “Borderline,” her second most recent film aside from “Eenie Meanie,” is a comedy thriller that’s on the edge of becoming a full-blown horror movie. However, the subsequent films showcase Weaving’s remarkable talent, as these excluded ones do, but they also make an even more compelling case for her being the quintessential scream queen of our contemporary period.

4) Scream VI

In merely six minutes, Weaving skillfully develops Laura Crane, her character in Scream VI, into a multidimensional person. She’s portrayed as a university professor with a deep understanding of horror films and a young woman who experiences both excitement and apprehension about an impending date. However, things take a tragic turn when she falls victim to Ghostface, following a deception by her student over the phone.

It’s disappointing to see Neve Campbell’s departure so early in the film, but it was fantastic that she graced us with her presence in a Scream movie at all. This opening sequence hinted at her status as a modern scream queen, reminiscent of Drew Barrymore. Since Radio Silence revitalized the Scream franchise in 2022, there was immense anticipation for Ghostface’s New York City adventure. Notably, the first face we encounter is Neve Campbell’s. Although Radio Silence had worked with her on Ready or Not, one can’t help but imagine that she would have been cast first even without this prior collaboration. Furthermore, it was delightful to hear her authentic Australian accent in the movie, providing a refreshing twist compared to other films on the list.

3) The Babysitter

The follow-up movie titled “The Babysitter: Killer Queen” (where she makes a brief appearance) might have veered towards an overly humorous and fashionable style, but the original film remains effective. While it may not be a horror cinema classic, it certainly stands out as one of Rose Byrne’s most notable roles in her film career. In every scene she features, she skillfully balances her performance on a tightrope and delivers impressively.

This is a character who made a deal with a devil and puts two knives into a nice, shy, jittery teen’s head so she and her pals can drink his blood. And yet, we still like her. We don’t quite root for her, because we learn she’s made a pact with the devil, but we’re hard pressed to say we don’t like her as a person. That’s all because of Weaving’s charming portrayal, as she conveys a mentoring nature just as often as she cracks a joke or, yes, does something awful. This was her Hollywood breakthrough, after a co-leading role in the excellent action-thriller Mayhem and a cameo role in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. It was technically her next film that put her on studio watchlists (considering it was theatrical, and she was the true lead of it), but The Babysitter was the first film that showed a great number of viewers just how easily she could command the screen.

2) Azrael

A largely wordless and suspenseful rollercoaster ride, the film “Azrael” effectively spotlights Samara Weaving’s captivating performance. Her character, Azrael, is essentially the only one who gets a substantial amount of screen time. The movie can be compared to James Franco in “127 Hours” or Ryan Reynolds in “Buried”, as it heavily relies on Weaving to carry the narrative throughout.

In a world following the rapture, where people have intentionally severed their vocal cords due to fear of attracting malevolent creatures known as the Burned Ones, Azrael and her boyfriend find themselves cast out from their cult and later captured for sacrifice. After escaping, Azrael embarks on a quest for vengeance that is marked by grime, bloodshed, and a deeply unsettling childbirth scene. Utilizing only her facial expressions, she skillfully portrays the full spectrum of human emotions.

1) Ready or Not

With the wrapping up of filming for “Ready or Not: Her I Come,” produced by Radio Silence, it’s clear that this modern horror classic will soon be gracing our screens. Given its imminent arrival, it can be confidently stated that the film has surely found its rightful audience. Furthermore, if one is to closely scrutinize Samara Weaving’s acting career, this 2019 rollercoaster ride would undeniably hold significant importance.

Nearly every aspect of the film “Ready or Not” operates seamlessly, from the script to the direction and cinematography, but Weaving’s performance serves as the binding force. The movie challenges Weaving like Azrael tests its subject, yet it also allows her to display her comedic talents. Regardless of any future Oscars or leading roles in blockbuster franchises, Grace Le Domas in “Ready or Not” is likely to be regarded as one of Weaving’s most significant career performances.

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2025-09-09 22:17