Justin Long’s new movie Barbarian is creating quite the buzz, but this isn’t his first time at the horror movie rodeo. Long was originally supposed to replace Steve on the kid’s show Blue’s Clues back in 2002. That’s how non-threatening the actor’s face is. Through the years, Long has used that to his advantage in horror movies. He is so innocent looking that putting him in horrific situations makes perfect sense because he appears so boyish and likable.
We have gathered some of the 44-year-old’s best horror movie performances just in case you want to explore some of his earlier work before Barbarian.
Jeepers Creepers and Jeepers Creepers 2 (2001 & 2003)
Whatever you may think of this troubled franchise, in the beginning, Jeepers Creepers was a huge hit. The horror movie industry was craving a new movie monster and The Creeper answered that ten-fold. Long plays the handsome Darry who is driving across the country in a classic car along with his sister. They encounter a strange van on the highway and just when you think this going to be another Hitcher long-form chase film, it makes a horrifying left turn.
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
Sam Raimi must have noticed and liked Long’s performance in earlier films because he cast him as Clay Dalton, a frustrated young man whose girlfriend is being stalked by a vengeful witch. In true Raimi style, Drag Me to Hell is full of over-the-top visuals and terrifying special effects. Again, the wholesome Long is thrust into this world making him the perfect contrast to a supernatural powerhouse.
Tusk (2014)
Another prolific director, Kevin Smith, chose Long to star in his off-beat horror film Tusk. This weird shift for Smith is both comical and disturbing. Long plays an opinionated podcaster who goes to Canada to conduct an interview. What he doesn’t know is that the person he is interviewing has a plan to turn him into a walrus using human skin. No kidding.
Ghost Team (2016)
Although not a total disaster, Ghost Team is an amicable distraction. As the title implies this comedy/thriller follows a team of friends who want to investigate a reportedly haunted farm. What they find is more than they bargained for. Long plays a security guard who joins the team and may or may not survive the night.
House of Darkness (2016)
As meet-cutes go, this one is sinister. Long is a man who just wants to hook up with a beautiful woman. As things seem to be going in his favor, his date begins to act strangely. This is a reimagining based on a Bram Stoker novel. Although they don’t say which one in the trailer, you can probably guess without looking on IMDb.
Barbarian (2022)
Here’s one that has everyone talking this year. Many have suggested you stay away from the trailer just to give you an added layer of blindness. Some critics have said that the movie is not what you’re expecting, but it’s even better than you would hope. Zac Efron was supposed to play Long’s role originally, but thank goodness he turned it down because this one is already a classic.
Whether you consider Justin Long an A-list celebrity or an indie prince, his line-up of films is very impressive. As we start seeing him re-visit his horror origins in current films, let’s hope he keeps it up and gives us even more thrills. His latest movie Dear David is in post-production and tells the true story of a journalist haunted by a bean-headed child in his small apartment.
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