Top 10 Actors Who Are The Best at Being CREEPY
We've got chills. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the actors who have a way of unsettling us no matter who they play.
Transcript
00:00 Closer, please.
00:02 Closer.
00:05 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the actors who have a way of unsettling us no matter who they play.
00:12 I would never do anything to hurt you. Never.
00:17 You know that, don't you?
00:20 Number 10 - Bill Skarsgård
00:24 Take it.
00:26 Taking on a role like Pennywise isn't easy. After Tim Curry's portrayal, the next person in line had some big clown shoes to fill.
00:33 When the newest iteration came out in 2017, people were curious to see how it would compare.
00:38 Skarsgård's interpretation blew everyone away. He perfectly captured the whimsical creepiness of Pennywise and made the part entirely his own.
00:45 Come join the clownette. You'll float down here.
00:50 He has the ability to morph his face into the most sinister expressions, even when he isn't in costume.
00:55 He also has impeccable timing for scares, knowing exactly when to kick the ominous energy into high gear.
01:00 He's starting to take the horror genre by storm, and fans can't wait to see what other disturbing roles he'll take on in the future.
01:06 You haven't changed anything yet.
01:10 You haven't changed the future.
01:16 Number 9 - Kathy Bates
01:19 I don't want her dead! I want her! And you murdered her!
01:24 The creepiest performances are often the ones that are just a bit understated.
01:28 While Kathy Bates doesn't look like the most imposing person, she has played some of the most unsettling characters in movie and television history.
01:34 From her portrayal of an obsessive fan in Misery, to her various roles in American Horror Story, she's proven that she's capable of playing the most despicable antagonists.
01:43 Why did you save me?
01:45 I was weak. I should have let you die.
01:52 No. You're the one who's gonna die, son.
01:56 Her voice is commanding, yet controlled, leading to a disconcerting experience that sticks with the audience for days afterwards.
02:03 Her ability to make seemingly innocent moments feel unnerving is a testament to how good she is in these roles.
02:09 Her wholesome looks combined with her intimidating energy create a juxtaposition that has stuck with moviegoers for decades.
02:15 No, if they caught them, they had to make sure they could go on working.
02:18 But they also had to make sure they could never run away.
02:21 The operation was called hobbling.
02:24 God forbid we become friendly.
02:28 I don't find you that interesting.
02:31 You will.
02:32 Blending charm and creepiness isn't easy, but some actors do it effortlessly.
02:36 Mickelson's work on Hannibal is a masterclass in this art form.
02:39 While his interpretation of the cannibal was violent and intense at times, some of the biggest scares occurred during his quietest moments.
02:45 You know too well you possess all the elements to make murder.
02:49 Perhaps mercy too, but murder you understand uncomfortably well.
02:53 His stoic expression and soft inflection have the ability to send chills down anyone's spine.
02:58 He has a way of drawing out dramatic tension that makes the audience feel just as uncomfortable as his fictional victims.
03:04 No matter who he plays, his characterization draws people in, leaving them unnerved yet eager for more.
03:09 It's a tough line to walk, but he does it brilliantly.
03:12 The lamb is becoming a lion.
03:16 For the great day of his wrath has come, and who shall be able to stand?
03:20 The voice is a powerful tool, and the best performers can utilize it to make any part insidious.
03:38 Christoph Waltz has a way of making every character he plays unnerving through his mannerisms and wit alone.
03:44 His work in Inglourious Basterds exemplifies this perfectly.
03:47 With a soft tone, menacing smile, and intimidating energy, he has the entire audience on edge in the first scene alone.
03:54 He's excellent at portraying dastardly personas in the most natural way possible, making them seem terrifyingly realistic.
04:07 As his career has progressed, he's leaned into more antagonistic roles.
04:10 Whether he's playing a Bond villain or an unsettling marketing consultant, he can make any character alarming in the best way possible.
04:17 Speaking of creepy Bond villains, sometimes there's nothing scarier than a subdued yet dangerous presence.
04:39 Javier Bardem is a master of this.
04:41 His iconic appearance in No Country for Old Men is a testament to it.
04:45 With his deadpan voice and thousand-yard stare, he makes it clear that his character, Anton Chigurh, is not to be trifled with.
04:52 Even something as small as a subtle change in facial expression can be disturbing.
05:04 Bardem's interpretation of Chigurh has become one of the most recognizable and well-loved performances in modern film history.
05:10 And fans are still hoping he'll take on a similar role someday soon.
05:13 The coin don't have no say.
05:15 It's just you.
05:18 I got here the same way the coin did.
05:23 He's made a name for himself as someone who isn't afraid to play the most unhinged roles.
05:39 Malkovich has a way of making all of his characters unpredictable, leaving the crowd to wonder what his next move will be.
05:44 He's at his best when he's infusing intensity into his parts, making his interpretation of them unapologetically unnerving.
05:50 However, he never goes so far that he loses the audience's support entirely.
06:01 Instead, he manages to make the eeriness entertaining.
06:04 He has a way of keeping viewers at the edges of their seats, waiting to see how he'll shock them next.
06:09 Carson City. The law is down there. You lost your mind.
06:12 According to my last psych evaluation, yes.
06:15 I mean, with a price of meat.
06:20 What it is, when you get it, if you get it.
06:24 Ah.
06:25 Good you got it.
06:26 Even side characters can have endless creep potential.
06:29 Bonham Carter is known for her unsettling portrayals of some of the most iconic villains in cinema.
06:34 With just a single laugh, she has the ability to entrance an entire audience and make chills run down their spines.
06:40 She's also a master at adjusting her looks to draw even more terrifying energy from the part, fully immersing herself in each macabre role.
06:47 I'll call you.
06:49 What's that?
06:54 Where'd you get that from?
06:57 She has a way of injecting humor into disturbing moments, creating a dissonant vibe that resonates deeply.
07:02 Whether her voice is barely above a whisper or loud and commanding, she can portray insanity that makes even the bravest person shiver in their seat.
07:10 Why did Voldemort need me to come and get this?
07:12 You dare speak his name?
07:14 You filthy whore of blood!
07:17 Number 3. Anthony Hopkins.
07:19 A census taker once tried to test me.
07:22 I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
07:28 After playing creeps throughout his entire career, he has more than earned his place amongst the best.
07:35 From the vile Hannibal Lecter to possessed religious leaders, he's shown that he can take on the most disgusting personas.
07:42 Don't you feel eyes moving over your body, Clarice?
07:45 And don't your eyes seek out the things you want?
07:49 With his often theatrical delivery and dramatic expressions, he could frighten viewers at the top of a hat.
07:54 He still has the ability to come across as arresting and powerful, and can command a crowd with just one look.
08:00 Hopkins still continues to take on villainous roles to this day, scaring a whole new generation of moviegoers.
08:05 You be careful, Michael.
08:07 Why?
08:08 Choosing not to believe in the devil won't protect you from him.
08:12 Number 2. Jack Nicholson.
08:14 The only one who can do what I do is me.
08:18 A lot of people had to die for me to be me.
08:22 With his menacing grin and distinctive voice, he exemplifies the meaning of the word "creepy."
08:27 Unafraid to take on the most deranged roles, Nicholson has been unsettling audiences for decades.
08:32 His portrayal of the Joker has set the bar, creating a chilly impression that has become the foundation for the antagonist's modern personality.
08:39 You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?
08:42 What?
08:43 I always ask that of all my prey.
08:47 I just like the sound of it.
08:49 He adds high levels of intensity to each project, throwing himself into the physical aspects and further shocking those watching.
08:55 This commitment has enabled him to portray some of the most iconic characters in film history, such as his pivotal role in The Shining.
09:01 He continues to put an unnerving energy into his characterizations, proving that he still has what it takes to completely disturb a crowd.
09:08 I'm not gonna hurt you.
09:09 Stay away from me!
09:10 Wendy.
09:11 Stay away!
09:12 Darling, light of my life, I'm not gonna hurt you.
09:17 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
09:20 Malcolm McDowell. He pulled off the iconic Kubrick stare perfectly in A Clockwork Orange.
09:25 Then we headed west. What we were after now was the old surprise visit.
09:31 That was a real kick, and good for laughs and lashings of the old ultra-violent.
09:37 Tobin Bell. His portrayal of Jigsaw has terrified audiences for nearly two decades.
09:41 Where is he?
09:42 That's a problem you're gonna have to solve before it's too late.
09:45 He has about two hours before the gas creeping into his nervous system begins to break down his body tissue, and he begins to bleed from every orifice he has.
09:56 Crispin Glover. His unique facial features have allowed him to creep out viewers in the best way possible.
10:01 I thought a lot about it.
10:03 Hating myself?
10:09 Well, right now, at this moment, I like myself.
10:19 Jackie Earl Haley. His fiery stare has made him the perfect candidate for iconic villains like Freddy Krueger.
10:24 You have nothing to worry about. This won't hurt.
10:30 One little bit.
10:36 Michael Emerson. His quiet intensity has made viewers squirm no matter what role he plays.
10:41 Good place for a trout.
10:43 Ambush.
10:47 When your friends got there, a bunch of my people would be waiting for them.
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11:07 Number one. Willem Dafoe.
11:11 Bobby for real. Just like the country.
11:14 While other actors simply play creepy characters, he completely embodies them.
11:19 Dafoe's ability to unsettle audiences has made him one of the most respected actors of today.
11:23 While he's played many villains, he has a way of making them seem sympathetic despite their actions,
11:27 delving deep into their psyches to bring out their most chilling aspects.
11:31 Daddy!
11:33 Let Neptune strike you dead, Winslow!
11:37 He's an expert at pulling intense reactions from his performances.
11:43 His lecherous roles make us want to take a shower, and his portrayal of evil makes us want to run and hide.
11:48 He's an expert at utilizing his expressive features to frighten people with a single look.
11:53 Even a simple smile is enough to drive fear into the hearts of viewers, making him the ideal baddie for any film.
11:59 There's only one who can stop us.
12:03 Or, imagine if he joined us.
12:07 What actor creeps you out the most? Let us know in the comments below.
12:15 What do you want to talk about?
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12:31 [Outro Music]