EMBODIMENTS OF EVIL

Creepy performances that leave a lasting impression
ARTICLE | EMBODIMENTS OF EVIL

The dead-eyed political aspirant Greg Stillson in David Cronenberg’s Stephen King adaptation encapsulates Trump-level terror.

Before we assess the villain, let’s begin with the hero—and “hero” is the correct appellation for Johnny Smith…

ARTICLE | EMBODIMENTS OF EVIL
The actor’s Oscar-nominated, atypically sinister turn supports the notion that unassuming fellows are often the ones to fear most.

After he’d fundamentally abandoned Hollywood moviemaking and cast his lot with the nascent...

BY STEVEN MEARS  |  August 20, 2024

ARTICLE | EMBODIMENTS OF EVIL
In the inaugural entry of a new column singling out enduringly creepy film characterizations, an American sweetheart cast against type emerges as one of cinema’s most unexpectedly chilling villains.

Sometimes all it takes is one sentence to demolish everything you thought you knew about a person.

BY STEVEN MEARS  |  February 7, 2024

ARTICLE | EMBODIMENTS OF EVIL
The person-changing experience of walking in on Tod Browning’s Dracula.

A place where no actual blood was spilled—at least to my knowledge—my grandmother’s house proved strangely—even sagely—sanguinary as it pertained to an important development in my life.

BY COLIN FLEMING  |  June 19, 2024