Val Kilmer‘s career has been full of unforgettable performances as well as some hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered. A versatile actor, he would often switch up genres, and try out many different types of roles. There are certain roles synonymous with Kilmer as he made his mark on cinema as well as the world in his 65 years of life. He even starred in some films that fall in the horror category, and are definitely worth exploring to see him tackle different roles that audiences might not be used to seeing him in.

Though he may not have been the go-to “scream king,” he has picked a handful of films that set up an eerie atmosphere and offer a few scares. The quality of the projects may vary, with some having seen less critical success than others, but there are some films he was part of that are extremely unique additions to the genre. His performance would sometimes transcend some dubious plot holes, and any true Kilmer fan should be able to say that they’ve seen some of his scariest movies.

7

Moscow Zero (2006)

Directed By María Lidón

There is a good amount of darkness and some unearthly supernatural themes in this very niche-feeling project. It shows just how many nuanced choices Kilmer made with regard to certain projects. The budget for this film was low, and its limited release did not help with making the film particularly successful.

The mystery at the heart of the film is very much one that fans of the genre might be used to, in that a mysterious person disappears under mysterious circumstances. Set in an interconnecting labyrinth of underground catacombs beneath the city of Moscow, there are eerie surprises around every corner.

After all, searching for the entrance to Hell is famously a rather dangerous mission. Not much that happens is surprising in any way, and there is little originality or ambition felt while watching this movie. Rotten Tomatoes does not have an official score, but the Popcornmeter sits at 6%. It doesn’t seem to be easily available on streaming, which might actually be a good thing.

6

Seven Below (2012)

Directed By Kevin Carraway

Haunted house tropes are by no means new, but they have so much potential to make them into something original and entertaining. There could be an unexpected twist, a series of jump scares, or even a more comedic take on the supernatural circumstances. Countless horror films have shown that even after so many years, there is still a possibility to produce an engaging story with some elements that feel unique to the film that’s on the screen. Unfortunately, this is not that film.

Most of the story feels extremely formulaic, with a group of strangers getting stranded in a house that saw some traumatic occurrences around 100 years earlier. It’s a shame to waste a cast that includes Val Kilmer, Ving Rhames, and Luke Goss, but somehow, this movie manages just that. It could be the shortcomings in the script or the lack of dedication to the material, but the critical reception seems to corroborate that. As does the box office gross.

5

The Thaw (2009)

Directed By Mark A. Lewis

Apart from having a тιтle that sounds rather funny, the film is surprisingly scary. The Thaw mixes science fiction and horror, in a story that sees an ancient disease attack a group of research scientists that starts a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly pandemic. The set-up of the story shows signs of originality by starting with the state of things as they are now, before they flash back to the origins of the outbreak. Granted, having a virus thawed from extinction within a pre-historical animal is reminiscent of projects like Piranha or The Meg, but the subsequent fear factor feels more serious.

The fear of infection seems so much scarier in a post-pandemic world, so having it used in a horror setting has some merit to it. Each threat comes from the outside as well as from within, as paranoia starts to creep in. It certainly does not push boundaries in any way, but there are moments in the film that evoke that sense of dread that viewers crave in a scary movie. Kilmer’s performance is solid, and elevates the film as much as possible.

4

The Island Of Dr. Moreau (1996)

Directed By John Frankenheimer & Richard Stanley

The stories behind the making of this film are the stuff of legends. From on-set arguments to constant rewrites and changes in direction cause the end result to feel like a bit of a disjointed mess. But, that’s what adds to its appeal. Trying to search for the moments where tension could be felt coming from the screen, or character inconsistencies that came from all the edits that were made in real-time.

Having two highly regarded actors like Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer would normally ensure a level of quality that is missing from this inconsistent production. Based on a novel by H.G. Wells, the plot is a mix of sci-fi with horror, and a sprinkling of action adventure.

The mysteries of the strange surroundings, while disturbing, can sometimes feel comedic, and the fear factor never feels like a threat. But, some of the eerie sH๏τs provide a sense of unease with an appropriately creepy atmosphere. It is interesting to see the actors try to outperform each other, and while the movie might not be great, it’s worth seeing just for the lore.

3

Mindhunters (2004)

Directed By Renny Harlin

An underrated part of Val Kilmer’s filmography, this unique slasher film sees a reversal of roles that sets up the unique premise of the story. A group of FBI trainees is set a task to take part in a training simulation where they hunt a “serial killer,” who then turns into a real threat, and starts hunting them down. There are some genuinely entertaining moments as the group realizes that they’ve gone from a controlled environment, to one of genuine danger.

The other highlight of the movie is the cast, which is stacked with some big names who put in some really great performances. While the writing is not of the highest quality, they manage to have fun with it and create a mood that befits the genre. Joining Kilmer are LL Cool J, Christian Slater, and Jonny Lee Miller, whose action skills are put to the test. There is a decent amount of violence and scary moments that keep viewers entertained throughout.

2

Twixt (2011)

Directed By Francis Ford Coppola

The legendary director is able to create some stunning visuals that set the scene for some creepy plot points, and there are some aspects of gothic romance that Francis Ford Coppola is known for. With witches, murders and morgues, there are some solid set-ups for scares which sometimes land well, and sometimes they don’t.

Edgar Allan Poe even gets a mention, adding some of his classic darkness to the story. Seen through the eyes of a writer, the audience also gets transported into a dream world with a whole different set of rules. It’s good to see Kilmer lead a movie with some genuinely brooding energy, and the rest of the cast serves to bring each story within a story to life.

Elle Fanning does her best as a fictional ingénue, and Bruce Dern, Ben Chaplin, and Joanne Whalley round off the rather impressive cast. Though Twixt never manages to hit the heights of some of Coppola’s previous projects, there are definitely moments where his vision can be felt.

1

The Super (2017)

Directed By Stephan Rick

Suspense and a decent number of twists set this film apart from some of the other horror films Val Kilmer starred in. He also manages to be the best thing about it, which goes to show that when he shows up in full force, he is able to put in a scene-stealing performance. Set in a particularly chilling apartment building, there are mysterious disappearances, unsolved murders, and even a little bit of black magic courtesy of Val Kilmer as the sinister Walter.

The premise manages to create enough suspense and intrigue, with unanswered questions that nag viewers throughout the movie as it develops. By no means perfect; its Rotten Tomatoes score is a middling 40%, but there is enough substance to keep viewers entertained throughout. Especially Kilmer’s role, which teeters between misunderstood and menacing mayhem, and lets him masterfully deliver some lines that might not have had as much of an impact if performed by someone else.