Tatiana Maslany horror movies have carved out a unique reputation for their disturbing atmosphere and intense performances, and with 2025 seeing her acclaimed return in the genre, fans are eager to experience every chilling moment. As a celebrated Canadian actress recognized for her dynamic roles, Maslany’s continued presence in suspenseful cinema cements her as a horror mainstay, especially following her roles in both fresh releases and cult classics.
The Path from Acclaimed TV to Horror Icon
Maslany first gained global recognition for her portrayal of numerous identical clones in the critically-praised sci-fi thriller series Orphan Black, earning her a groundbreaking Emmy win—the first for a Canadian in a main dramatic category for a homegrown production. After her acclaimed tenure as Jennifer Walters on Marvel’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Maslany ventured deeply into the world of horror, solidifying her standing with roles that explore the edge of psychological dread and supernatural terror. These performances, including standout jobs in both ensemble and lead roles, have drawn notice from dedicated horror fans and genre newcomers alike.
In 2025, her reputation was bolstered by the chilling Stephen King adaptation The Monkey and the psychological thriller Keeper, directed by Osgood Perkins. These films reinforce her reputation for tackling unnerving material with conviction and intensity. Altogether, Maslany has appeared in five horror movies, each offering its own brand of terror. The following is a ranking of these films, from least to most terrifying.
5. Diary of the Dead (2007): Documentary-Style Zombies with Understated Frights
Diary of the Dead takes audiences into the midst of a zombie apocalypse, where student filmmakers from the University of Pittsburgh—including Mary, portrayed by Maslany—trek across Pennsylvania, encountering devastation at every turn. Led by Jason Creed (Joshua Close), the group obsesses over documenting their experience, even as the world quickly unravels into chaos and fear. This George A. Romero-directed entry in the zombie genre is notable for its meticulous found-footage approach, examining every grim event—however routine it first appears—down to the smallest detail.
Despite Romero’s well-known ability to mine tension from the undead, this film leans more on process than scares, offering few intense chase scenes or shocking attacks. Maslany’s character shines in brief moments, specifically a scene misinterpreting a bite as her doom, yet her impact is limited by her scarce screen time. While the movie features vocal cameos from horror icons such as Quentin Tarantino, Guillermo del Toro, Wes Craven, Simon Pegg, and Stephen King as newsreaders, the remaining cast can sometimes feel lost in the chaos, failing to bring the necessary suspense that characterizes true classics in the genre.
4. Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004): Monster Mythology with Haunting Psychological Overtones
Set in the bleak aftermath of its predecessor, Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed focuses on Brigitte Fitzgerald (Emily Perkins), whose attempts to stave off lycanthropy after her sister’s death lead her to a youth rehabilitation center. Believed to be undergoing drug withdrawal, Brigitte befriends the enigmatic Ghost, played by Tatiana Maslany. What begins as a tenuous friendship soon grows sinister as they strategize their escape, all while the threat of a prowling werewolf looms and Ghost’s true motives become shrouded in doubt.
Maslany’s portrayal won her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards—a testament to her performance’s lasting impact. Scenes depicting her in sensory deprivation, marked by acts of self-harm, linger disturbingly in memory, heightening the emotional intensity even without resorting to conventional horror violence. Unlike typical monster films, Ginger Snaps 2 emphasizes psychological distress and slow-building tension, often suggesting the werewolf’s presence rather than revealing it outright. The confined setting of the rehab center fosters an air of claustrophobia, emphasizing vulnerability rather than spectacle.
3. The Messengers (2007): Haunted Farmland and Spectral Terror
In The Messengers, the Solomon family’s move from urban Chicago to North Dakota is meant to represent hope and recovery, but it instead precipitates a terrifying plunge into the supernatural. Jess Solomon (Kristen Stewart) and her mute brother Ben (Evan Turner) become attuned to the restless ghosts haunting their farmhouse, while their parents remain incredulous. Only the family’s hired helper, John Burwell (John Corbett), takes their fears seriously. Maslany appears as Lindsay, a young girl who was a victim in a familial tragedy, and her limited screen time is one of the film’s most impactful elements.
Her portrayal in an opening set piece—desperately resisting being dragged into the basement—infuses the film with genuine horror, capturing the raw panic of survival. This scene stands as the emotional high point and establishes a tone of dread seldom equaled in the remainder of the story, which otherwise reverts to familiar haunted house tropes and standard jump scares. The film is further marked by production by Sam Ram, which might surprise those expecting more inventive plotting from someone of his renown.
2. The Monkey (2025): Cursed Toys and Unrelenting Fatalism
The Monkey arrives as a Stephen King adaptation, where twin brothers portrayed by Theo James, living under the care of their mother (Tatiana Maslany), find themselves tormented by a deadly toy discovered in their attic. Each clatter and cymbal crash of the wind-up monkey toy merits fear, as it signals the start of a cascade of brutal, seemingly arbitrary deaths reminiscent of the Final Destination franchise. Despite every effort to rid themselves of the cursed object, the brothers and their mother find themselves ensnared by fate and dread.
While moments of humor punctuate the story, its primary tone is one of building horror, especially during a significant scene where a restaurant becomes a stage for an accidental yet horrifying decapitation. Maslany plays the maternal figure with depth, though her character would have benefited from more substantial development. Although critical reception was positive, many industry award bodies overlooked The Monkey, provoking renewed debate about whether the horror genre receives the recognition it deserves, especially when backed by strong performances.
1. Keeper (2025): Solitude, Mind Games, and the Nature of Fear
Keeper places Maslany front and center as Liz, a spirited writer confronting her own fears during an isolated retreat at her boyfriend Malcolm’s (Rossif Sutherland) family cabin. When Malcolm abruptly leaves, Liz becomes the focus of an unexplainable force that contorts perception and taunts her with phantasmal voices and shifting realities. The mounting sense of unease is heightened by the uncertainty of what is real and what may be figments of trauma or manipulation.
Shot swiftly during the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, Keeper eschews bombastic jump scares for a nuanced mixture of psychological tension and supernatural disturbance. Director Osgood Perkins weaves mental anguish with chilling specters, inviting audiences to empathize with Liz’s escalating sense of terror. The pairing of intense internal conflict with ghostly unease revitalizes the cabin-in-the-woods premise, emphasizing the protagonist’s journey as much as the eerie environment.
The approach taken in Keeper distinguishes it from more formulaic horror, offering a thoughtful exploration of isolation and fear rather than a relentless barrage of shocks. Maslany’s layered performance, supported by Rossif Sutherland’s presence, secures Keeper’s spot at the top of her horror filmography.
The Ongoing Impact of Tatiana Maslany’s Horror Roles
Through roles ranging from fleeting but memorable cameos to central, emotionally raw performances, Tatiana Maslany’s work within the horror genre continues to influence how audiences perceive character-driven scares. Collaborations with renowned directors like Osgood Perkins and participation in adaptations from authors such as Stephen King reflect her commitment to challenging, anxiety-inducing stories. As future productions unfold, viewers can anticipate that her future horror films will continue to test the boundaries of the genre while drawing both skepticism and admiration from within the industry.
