Daniel Craig starred in a few horror movies during his career but which are the best, and why? The English actor will forever be remembered as 007 James Bond, but he's also a highly accomplished performer who has explored various types of roles. Craig's horror filmography offers insight into his creative approach, and perhaps reveals why he has largely distanced himself from the genre.
Some viewers may immediately think of James Bond (AKA 007) when hearing Craig's name, which is undoubtedly the actor's most iconic role. As 007, the actor exudes a cool charm in public situations, along with a world-weary facade during private moments. He emphasizes the humanity of 007, and the fact that each and every physical blow takes a toll. Prior to the Bond franchise, Craig similarly portrayed unpredictable individuals, whether it's Connor Rooney in Road to Perdition or Steve from Munich, to name a couple.
In the horror genre, Craig's characters all struggle to accept their realities - they want something more from life, and are willing to ignore some unfortunate truths. As for the qualities of the films, it's a mixed bag across the board. Here's a breakdown of Craig's horror filmography, and what they reveal about him as a performer.
Based on Jack Finney's influential science fiction novel The Body Snatchers, The Invasion fails to match the quality of the three previous movie adaptations. Craig stars opposite Nicole Kidman as Ben Driscoll, a doctor who researches an alien lifeform that transforms humans during the REM phase of sleep. He's initially a well-meaning character but ultimately turns and joins a group that wants to form a new society with no violence. The Invasion offers little more than popcorn thrills, despite the efforts of screenwriter David Kajganich, who would later write the Suspiria remake and develop AMC show The Terror. Unfortunately, director Oliver Hirschbiegel retreads science fiction tropes and doesn't create enough dread for the film to feel truly terrifying. Craig also provides a safe, unremarkable performance. The Invasion is still worth a watch, if only because of Jeffrey Wright's memorable turn in a supporting role.
Dream House features the best Craig performance in the horror genre. He stars as Will Atenton, an author who moves with his wife and two children into an ideal country home. Midway through Jim Sheridan's film, Will realizes he's actually Peter Ward - a man with a history of violence. In Dream House, Craig relies on his natural charm in scenes with Rachel Weisz's Libby, and communicates a sense of paranoia when paired with Naomi Watts's Ann Patterson; a neighbor with a secret to protect. The film's big reveals may land differently for audiences, but Craig does have some extraordinary acting moments while his character slowly connects the dots. However, the final act suffers because of Weisz's surprisingly stiff performance and some late-movie twists involving side characters. James Bond fans may find value in Dream House, as Craig essentially portrays a domesticated version of 007, a man who can't quite remember what he did in the past.
Craig delivers a scene-stealing performance in The Jacket, a psychological thriller directed by John Maybury. The Jacket stars Adrien Brody as a Gulf War veteran named Jack Starks who is blamed for killing a police officer and then travels through time to prove his innocence. Along the way, he encounters Craig's Rudy Mackenzie, a patient at a psychiatric facility who reveals he tried to kill his wife. As a whole, the movie's unorthodox narrative may confuse some viewers, but the steady twists and central performances elevate it beyond a typical thriller. Daniel Craig's acting is especially unnerving, both in terms of his character's demeanor and what lies beneath the surface. Rudy's swollen eyes, jet-black hair, and rockabilly look would make Craig unrecognizable if it wasn't for that 007 jawline that gives him away. It's a movie star performance - albeit in a reduced role - that benefits the film as a whole. Much like Munich, The Jacket shows Daniel Craig was deserving of bigger roles back in 2005.
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