Want to book horror roles but not sure where to start?
The genre isn’t one size fits all. Horror has many categories and subcategories, and each one asks something different of an actor. Knowing where your strengths fit can help you choose the right projects, tailor your auditions and stand out in the casting process.
Horror has overarching tropes and rules. Many can be limiting and toxic, but modern horror is making strides to subvert them and expand what the genre can be and accomplish.
A great place to start is learning the different horror subgenres. Then you can play to your strengths. This is not a comprehensive list, and many of these films fit into multiple categories, so we’re keeping it to broad strokes.
What You’ll Find in This Article
- Creature Feature
- Period Horror/Gothic Horror
- Comedy Horror
- Grounded Metaphor/Drama Allegory
- Slasher
- Action Horror
Creature Feature
Often campy or played with a heightened style, these films use animals or monsters as the primary conflict and protagonist. The monsters are often metaphors for the protagonist’s failings or darkest fears. They can be fun and cheesy, thrilling and disturbing or, as is often the case, all of the above.
Examples: The Birds, Frankenstein
Acting tip: Expect special effects and lots of screaming. Practice reacting to something that isn’t there, since you’ll often be performing opposite green screens, puppets or tennis balls on sticks.
Period Horror/Gothic Horror
These films thrive on vibes. The aesthetic is central to building tension, and gothic horror is often a slow burn filled with subtext and themes of romance and death.
Examples: Crimson Peak, Sleepy Hollow, The Witch
Acting tip: If period pieces are already in your wheelhouse, this is a natural transition into horror. Focus on stillness, period-accurate dialect and building tension through restraint.
Comedy Horror
For actors who love classic horror but don’t want to dwell in the truly dark and depraved, comedy horror is an incredible alternative. These films are often insightful, clever, gratuitous and massively self-aware. They can examine and subvert toxicity in the genre, or offer a way to enjoy the release of horror without steeping yourself too deeply in catharsis.
Examples: Obsession, The Babysitter, The Cabin in the Woods
Acting tip: Comedy horror is a great way to sharpen your timing and self-awareness. The best performances play the danger for real and let the humor come from the situation.
Grounded Metaphor/Drama Allegory
Many types of horror deal heavily with metaphor and allegory, but these films house what could otherwise be a serious drama within a horror-driven allegory. If you prefer character-driven, text-driven projects and find other horror too stylized or heightened, this might be your subgenre.
Examples: Hereditary, Get Out, The Babadook, Midsommar
Acting tip: Lead with emotional truth. These roles reward actors who can convey layered fears and vulnerabilities, not just screams.
Slasher
Perhaps one of the most celebrated horror categories, slashers follow specific formulas. The protagonist is hunted or haunted by a singular antagonist who seeks to kill or destroy them. If you love classic horror with larger-than-life villains, this might be for you.
Examples: Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th
Acting tip: Whether you’re the final girl or the killer, the work is physical. Build stamina, practice believable fear and movement, and find the motivation that drives your character through every scene.
Action Horror
Almost exactly what it sounds like. This subgenre combines classic horror elements with staples of the action genre, making it a great way to show off special skills like athleticism and stunts, or to dive into a fast-paced project that thrives on adrenaline.
Examples: Pitch Black, Army of the Dead, Resident Evil, The Mummy
Acting tip: List your stunt, combat and fitness skills on your profile. They can set you apart in a breakdown.
How to Break Into Horror as an Actor
Horror is beloved because it makes us feel less alone in our darkness. It offers a safe place to explore and confront our fears, and it provides escape and release. That’s also what makes it such a rewarding genre to act in.
To get started, figure out what you’re passionate about. Explore the subgenres, watch key films from each to understand their tone and acting demands, and match your strengths, whether that’s intense drama, physical stunts or comedic timing, to the projects that fit them best.
Ready to find your place in horror? Join Casting Networks for free and start submitting to horror roles today.
