Funny guy Vince Vaughn has starred in a few horror movies, including the hit Freaky (2020). Better known for his comedic roles throughout the '90s and '00s, namely as Peter La Fleur in Dodgeball (2004) and Jeremy Grey in Wedding Crashers (2005), Vaughn's first film role was as a football tailback in 1993's sports drama Rudy. Partly through his subsequent friendship with actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau, Vaughn's popularity rose with increased lead role casting until he achieved breakout success with his supporting role in Todd Phillips' frat comedy Old School (2003).
Despite Vaughn's membership in the so-called Hollywood "Frat Pack," the nickname used for the group of actors who frequently co-starred in 2000's comedies, Vaughn already demonstrated himself as an actor capable of more than just comedy entering the new millennium. Vaughn starred as John "Sheriff" Volgecherev in the 1998 drama-thriller Return to Paradise, and although the movie met with mixed reviews, his performance was praised by critics.
In addition to dramatic roles in projects like Domestic Disturbance and True Detective, Vaughn starred in a few horror films as well. With two horror roles under his belt, and another big horror-comedy success coming in 2020, Vaughn's career would prove him to be a more eclectic actor than audiences of the aughties perhaps initially appreciated. On that note, here are Vaughn's horror movies, ranked from worst to best.
3. Psycho (1998)
Director Gus Van Sant's shot-by-shot remake of Alfred Hitchcock's movie, Psycho (1998) recasts the Norman Bates character, originally brilliantly played by Anthony Perkins, with Vaughn. An interesting casting decision, considering Vaughn's considerable height (6'5") and all-around rougher texture (than Perkins), the decision naturally drew ire from fans of the original. Whereas Perkins' delicate features and odd boyish mannerisms lent the Norman Bates character a magic touch of madness, Vaughn's towering demeanor and perpetually cool self-awareness deprived Bates of this magic touch. Simply put, Vaughn's acting strengths did not translate well into Hitchcock's madman archetype.
2. The Cell (2000)
Tarsem Singh's sci-fi psychological horror film The Cell (2000) is one part Inception (2010), another part Silence of the Lambs (1991). The premise: a team of scientists use experimental virtual reality technology to infiltrate the mind of comatose serial killer in order to locate his victim. With a balanced mix of fantastical imagery and pop psychology, The Cell is a surprisingly engaging thriller, this time with Vaughn properly cast as FBI Agent Peter Novak, co-starring with Jennifer Lopez (playing the lead psychologist). Impressively, the film operates on three levels, delivering at once a thought-provoking sci-fi concept, a race-against-time thriller, and a surrealist visionary fantasy. Contrary to Psycho, this time Vaughn finds himself the tortured subject of a madman, as opposed to playing one.
1. Freaky (2020)
The latest iteration of the "Freaky Friday" premise (à la 1976's and 2003's Freaky Friday), Freaky (2020) combines Vaughn's comedy + horror skillsets in this body-swap high-school slasher that's often been described as the gory version of Rob Schneider's Hot Chick (2002). The comedy-horror genre line here splits evenly down the middle with Vaughn firmly on the side of comedy and actress Kathryn Newton an agent of horror. While, stylistically, Freaky is more fun and inventive in its bloody delivery than it is outright scary, this homage to slasher films feels like a genuinely fresh heartfelt take on what could have easily been a tired remake of an otherwise tired premise. Channeling his more feminine side in Freaky, Vaughn has continued to stretch his acting talents beyond his typecast comedy roles of the 2000's. With more movie titles coming in the near future, the potential for Vaughn to partake in more experimental roles is only trending upward.