Angelina Jolie, known for her versatile acting and humanitarian work, has graced the big screen in a wide array of genres—from action-packed thrillers to heart-wrenching dramas. However, when it comes to the horror genre, her involvement is less obvious. So, has Angelina Jolie ever starred in a horror movie? The answer is yes, but her roles in horror films are few and more subtly categorized than the traditional scream-filled slasher films we often associate with the genre.
One of Jolie's most notable appearances in a movie with horror elements is in the 1999 film "The Bone Collector." While this film is more of a psychological thriller, it contains strong horror elements, especially given its plot centered around a serial killer who leaves behind a trail of grisly crime scenes. Jolie plays Amelia Donaghy, a young police officer who becomes the unwilling protégé of a bedridden forensic expert, played by Denzel Washington. The film's dark atmosphere, intense suspense, and gruesome details give it a horror-adjacent feel, even if it is primarily categorized as a thriller.
While not a horror movie in the traditional sense, Jolie’s role in "Girl, Interrupted" (1999) delves into the psychological horror of mental illness. Portraying Lisa Rowe, a sociopathic patient in a mental institution, Jolie's character exudes a chilling, unsettling presence that could be considered psychologically horrifying. The film's exploration of the dark recesses of the human mind and the institutional treatment of mental illness adds a layer of horror that is more cerebral than supernatural.
"Maleficent" (2014): A Dark Fantasy with Horror Undertones
Although "Maleficent" (2014) is primarily a dark fantasy film, its reimagining of the classic "Sleeping Beauty" tale includes moments that flirt with horror. Jolie’s portrayal of the vengeful fairy Maleficent is imbued with a certain level of menace, especially in scenes that emphasize her darker powers. The film’s Gothic aesthetics, eerie settings, and morally ambiguous characters contribute to a tone that, while not horror per se, brushes against the edges of the genre.
Angelina Jolie’s filmography is diverse, but her ventures into pure horror are limited. This could be due to her preference for roles that offer deeper emotional and psychological complexity rather than the straightforward terror often associated with horror films. Jolie has often gravitated toward characters that challenge her as an actress, exploring themes of morality, justice, and the human condition, which may explain her limited presence in the horror genre.
While Angelina Jolie has not starred in what most would consider a traditional horror movie, her roles in films like "The Bone Collector," "Girl, Interrupted," and "Maleficent" feature elements that flirt with horror. These films showcase her ability to navigate dark and suspenseful narratives, even if she has not yet taken on a role in a full-fledged horror film. For fans of Jolie who enjoy the eerie and unsettling, these movies offer a glimpse of her work within the genre's periphery.
Whether or not Jolie will ever dive into a more straightforward horror role remains to be seen, but her existing work certainly offers a taste of what she could bring to the genre.
