These 12 Horror Films Starring Scream King Kyle Gallner Are Streaming Now
I realized last year that we take Kyle Gallner for granted. Possibly because he lives in our favorite genre and always understands the assignment. How many times a year do you hit play on a random movie to see Gallner randomly there, reminding you why he stays booked and busy? Spotting this horror king is almost routine for people who love scary movies.
Recently, I noticed a few things while watching the handful of 2023 movies where Gallner gave outstanding lead performances. First, one of our favorite actors elevated the hell out of his game over the last few years. We love a good supporting cast member, and great actors can do plenty with any role. However, part of the reason 2023 was the year of Kyle Gallner is that we were fortunate enough to see him do so much in various substantial roles. Another thing I noticed is that he does not have nearly enough acting awards. He has been appearing on our screens for almost 25 years and delivers every damn time. The math does not add up.
So, ahead of his upcoming movies Strange Darling and Smile 2, I thought we should look back at this impressive horror resume. Here are 12 horror films starring Scream King Kyle Gallner and where to stream them.
Alien Code (2018)
Character: Alex
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video, The Roku Channel, and Tubi
Alex, a brilliant cryptographer, is stalked by the government and aliens. We love it when Kyle Gallner lands a leading role in something weird. Long live extraterrestrial conspiracy science fiction! This thriller also stars Azura Skye and Richard Schiff, so you already know the acting is out of this world. The original title was The Men, and you might find it hiding under that name if you seek it out.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
Character: Quentin
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
Freddy Krueger haunts the children of parents who murdered him in this reimagining. Many people are meaner to this movie than they should be. However, I recently rewatched this movie for this streaming guide. Let me remind you that Gallner was half of the duo who worked Freddy over with found objects in an abandoned preschool. Is that not reason enough to shake out another half-star when you rate this on Letterboxd?
The Cleansing Hour (2019)
Character: Drew
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
A team that markets their fake exorcisms as the real deal finds their livestream highjacked by something evil. The Cleansing Hour has no business being as cool as it is. This is one of those movies I hit play on after I stopped being surprised Kyle Gallner is literally everywhere. Come for Gallner, stay for the demonic activity, the betrayal, and the mayhem.
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
Character: Matt
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
A family finds out a sinister force is occupying their new home. For many people, this is the first time they saw Gallner appear in something that fucked up their peace. His turn as the young, sickly, and possessed dude is possibly why horror fans refuse to let him leave the genre for too long. Virginia Madsen, Martin Donovan, and Elias Koteas round out the cast of this movie that often gets left out of The Amityville Horror and The Conjuring conversations.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Character: Colin
Where You Can Watch: Peacock
A possessed high-school cheerleader becomes a succubus with a craving for her male classmates. While we typically support that message, some of us feel like murdering the goth kid named Colin was too far. We eventually healed because Kyle Gallner’s emo character got a memorable death in this Karyn Kusama-helmed horror comedy. So, at least he was not a wasted girl dinner.
Mother, May I? (2023)
Character: Emmett
Where You Can Watch: Peacock, Plex, and Tubi
Anya begins channeling her fiancée’s recently deceased mother, forcing him to confront his past trauma. This is not my favorite stop on this streaming guide. However, this is one of the movies that made me realize we are taking Gallner for granted. The acting in this project is near perfection. I would watch him and his co-star, Holland Roden, read a phone book with that same intensity and intentionality. Come for the ghostly momma trauma, and stay for the powerhouse performances.
The Passenger (2023)
Character: Benson
Where You Can Watch: MGM+ and Prime Video
A man is forced to confront his past when a co-worker snaps and takes him along for a life-altering ride. We have had a lot of fun with Gallner’s work and enjoy tons of the movies. However, this one hits differently and is definitely the role that should have put some awards on his shelf. The character of Benson is handled with almost surgical precision. His relationship with his friend/hostage, Randolph (Johnny Berchtold), is equally tender and terrifying. I know the phrase career-defining performance is overused, but this is one of the few times it is actually earned. Please watch this movie if you haven’t already. Then please also join me in loudly alerting the masses that we do not appreciate Kyle Gallner nearly enough.
Red (2008 film)
Character: Harold
Where You Can Watch: Crackle, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and Tubi
A man sets out to get justice against three teens who killed his dog. This was the most random movie I have ever stumbled across with my insomnia hours. Kyle Gallner, Noel Fisher, and Shiloh Fernandez play the teens. Gallner’s character is the ill-fated kid who apologizes for what he did. This performance was an early warning that Gallner would eventually campaign for genre royalty. Brian Cox plays the old man who these kids fucked around and found out with. This cast also includes Robert Englund, Amanda Plummer, and Tom Sizemore.
Red Eye (2005)
Character: Headphone Kid’s Brother
Where You Can Watch: Paramount+
A man kidnaps a woman on a flight and threatens to kill her father if she refuses to help with an assassination. This chaotic Wes Craven thriller has a lot going on. While most of the screen time goes to Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy, and Brian Cox, I have reasons for putting it on this streaming guide. Not only is this one of Kyle’s first features, but he plays Headphone Kid’s Brother. That always sends me. More importantly, though, he has never seen Red Eye. So, we should all keep bringing it up until he watches it and shares his thoughts with the class.
Scream (2022)
Character: Vince
Where You Can Watch: Hulu and Paramount+
New Ghostfaces have risen and are terrorizing a new group of teens. I am one of the people in love with our core four. However, another reason this requel is a damn good time is because of the supporting characters and their magnificent death scenes. Gallner’s Vince is not here for a long time, but he is here for a deadly time. Vince’s murder is underscored by our beloved “Red Right Hand”. This stabbing and needle drop healed many Scream fans and is a work of art. I am so serious when I say we need to find a way to put it in the Louvre.
Smile (2022)
Character: Joel
Where You Can Watch: MGM+, Paramount+, and Prime Video
A psychiatrist is haunted by something sinister after witnessing a traumatic event. Wherever you land on this one, we can all appreciate the scares and marketing campaign. We also all agree that Gallner is the film’s VIP. He gives a performance so strong that most of us hoped we would get a sequel to see what happens with his character. Luckily, Joel will be there for Smile 2. I’ll see some of you at the theater this October for what I’m sure will be a creepy little adventure.
Veronica Mars (2005 – 2006)
Character: Cassidy “Beaver” Casablancas
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
Veronica Mars solves mysteries and helps teens at her school while trying to piece together the events that led to her best friend’s murder. Not only was this woman-led noir a welcome change of pace during the early aughts, but it also introduced us to this seedy world of morally grey teens we could not get enough of. If you didn’t spend both of his seasons feeling bad for Beaver while also not sure you can trust him, were you even paying attention? This was my introduction to Kyle Gallner. It’s also why I spent a couple of years asking friends, “Is that, Beaver?” when he turned up in horror movies. I beg you to hit play and see where this genre king honed his ability to be both sympathetic and suspicious.
So, remember to check in on Kyle Gallner the next time you get to vote for horror actors. These are just the 12 things I clocked streaming this week. There’s plenty more, and there’s so much coming up because if there’s one thing he’s going to do, it’s turn up in as many films as humanly possible. And for that, we are grateful!
What’s your favorite Kyle Gallner performance? Is it on this list? Let me know at @misssharai because I’m nosey.
Categorized:Editorials Streaming Guides
