The Best Celebrity Performances In Supermassive Games

Key Takeaways

• Supermassive games feature an impressive cast of Hollywood actors delivering excellent performances in their horror titles.
• Cast members embody a range of characters, from strong and independent to creepy and complex, adding depth to the gameplay.
• Actors like Jessie Buckley, David Arquette, and Ashley Tisdale showcase their versatility and enhance the immersive experience for players.

Supermassive games have been likened to movies more than once, what with the interactive movie approach to the gameplay on offer, the intricate plot-lines that take interesting twists and turns, as well as titles such as Until Dawn a clear parody of B-horror movies. But most of all, it’s the stacked cast present across their franchises.

Many actors and actresses from the silver screen were also present in Supermassive’s games, giving their likeness and their acting prowess to the video game production. From slightly lesser-known celebrities like Ashley Tisdale to movie legends such as Lin Shaye, there is no shortage of excellent Hollywood performances on display.

9 Jessie Buckley (Kate Wilder – The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me)

The Irish Actress and Singer Perfectly Plays This Nuanced and Flawed Character

A haunted house TV production crew are offered the opportunity of a lifetime–a trip to the perfect recreation of H.H.Holme’s infamous murder hotel, which could be just the ticket to saving their failing production. They take the invitation, some more reluctantly than others, and embark to the island where things quickly nose-dive into murderous territory, as they find themselves the next possible victims to the traps present within.

The star of the in-game show, and the game itself, Jessie Buckley portrays this strong-headed and serious character with great panache, immediately painting a clear picture of the type of character she is going to be. Kate is perfect final girl material, but make no mistake, she is just as likely to die as any other character if the wrong choices are made. She is the kind of character players want to save, even with the flaws that present themselves as players learn more about her character as the story unfolds.

8 David Arquette (Chris Hackett – The Quarry)

Portrays Two Sides to this Secretive Character

The Quarry takes place in a children’s summer camp directly after the campers have returned home, and the counselors are now trapped with someone, or something, dangerous that wants to kill them all. It clearly takes inspiration from Friday the 13th, but stars an actor known for his iconic role in the Scream series.

David Arquette is known for being the police officer Dewey in several of the Scream movies, but has hung up the badge to become the camp owner in Supermassive’s The Quarry, portraying a father-like figure who looks after his counselors and exchanges jabs with them. But there is another side to this character that could very rightfully be called dangerous, as he flies into a rage upon finding out the counselors are stuck at camp with their vehicle out of action. This shift between the two different sides of Chris is a testament to Arquette’s acting chops.

7 Ashley Tisdale (Rachel King – The Dark Pictures: House of Ashes)

Proves She Can do More Roles than the Ditzy, Spoiled School Girl

House of Ashes was the one Dark Pictures game that didn’t have a cast of ordinary people going about their ordinary lives without knowing the first thing about self-defense or keeping their calm during stressful situations. Instead, it saw a military squad delving beneath the sands into an ancient ruin that quite literally opened up beneath their feet. Instead of dealing with hostile army forces, they find something much more sinister lying in wait.

In a shocking casting choice no one could predict, Ashley Tisdale from High School Musical fame starred in one of the main roles, and the leader of the squadron. Before House of Ashes, her role in High School Musical was that of a rather ditzy, scatterbrained, bubbly and bright high schooler full of hope and ambition. But House of Ashes allowed her to demonstrate she is certainly not a one-tricked pony, portraying the independent and capable Rachel King.

6 Ted Raimi (Travis Hackett – The Quarry)

Perfectly Plays the Role of the Creepy Character Who Actually Means Well

In a lot of horror movies, there is a red herring character, someone who seems unsettling and as though they might have some secret nefarious agenda from first impressions, but as it turns out, they are actually a good guy who is trying to save as many people as possible from dangers only they know about, but the hapless main cast are unaware of. This character trope is present in The Quarry in the character of Travis Hackett, artfully portrayed by Ted Raimi.

Travis Hackett works as a police officer, and is seen at first as creepy and malevolent from the way he addresses people and his general demeanor. But this is a perfect cover for a character who actually wants to do right by his family, and is willing to work peacefully with anyone he thinks can help him with his goal. He also actively tries to save the counselors from certain doom, but his role as the creepy, mysterious character is done so well nobody believes he has good intentions.

5 Peter Stomare (Dr Alan J Hill – Until Dawn)

The Therapy Appointments are One of the Most Compelling Portions of the Game

The chapters of Until Dawn were broken up by therapy appointments with Dr Hill, who was apparently Josh’s doctor before the events of the game took place. He poses the player with questions that may not be easy to answer, with the apparent goal of finding out what they are scared of, and to trace these fears back to their roots. Various exercises will be presented to the player that they must complete, and as always, they are urged to do so with honesty.

Dr Hill is a bit of an enigma to start with, and the questions regarding his existence only grow as the game progresses, leaving the player to wonder if he is even real. It is revealed at the end it is one of Josh’s hallucinations as Peter Stomare nailed the role of eerie but convincing psychotherapist perfectly. But with such major Hollywood skills behind his portrayal, fans expected no less.

4 Lin Shaye (Constance Hackett – The Quarry)

Despite Limited Screen Time, Line Shaye’s Character Leaves a Lasting Impression

To those into horror movies, Lin Shaye is something of a household name, having starred in numerous movies as a helpful protagonist or a twisted antagonist, and she excels at each role. Most likely known for her work in the Insidious movie franchise, her role in The Quarry is quite a bit different. She is the matriarch of the Hackett family, aware of the curse that runs in their blood, and at first wants to help the counselors survive the night.

That is until her beloved granddaughter Kaylee dies, and then players will see a more wicked side to this kindly old grandmother. She flies into a very convincing rage on screen, wishing death upon those she sees as responsible for her untimely death. Though she doesn’t receive much screen time, which can even be cut shorter depending on players’ actions, Constance still leaves a lasting impression with her more than memorable performance.

3 Hayden Panettiere (Samantha Giddings – Until Dawn)

The Likable Final Girl of the Game

Supermassive’s first foray into horror managed to rake in quite an impressive amount of actors to portray characters and lend their likeness, with one being Hayden Panettiere from Heroes fame, playing the role of Samantha Giddings, better known as Sam among her friends. She filled in the role of the nice girl among the group, and the one who was most likely to survive the night of horrors, but that, of course, depends on the players.

Hayden Panettiere fully embodied this role, portraying a character that was not only believable, but highly likable among a cast that consisted of more abrasive personalities, especially the likes of Emily and Mike. The horrors she went through didn’t change her character for the worst, but instead players see her become more resilient, and resolve to escape alive. She is everything the perfect final girl should be, and no other actress could have done the job quite as well as Hayden Panettiere.

2 Brett Dalton (Michael Munroe – Until Dawn)

Transforms from Unlikable Jock to the Hero

Every character in Until Dawn undergoes some sort of change, as no one can go through those events and emerge the same as they were before. But the most drastic character arc is that of Mike Munreo, who is introduced first as a rather hard to like character. He comes across as a typical American high school jock: popular with the ladies, a total prankster, and to be blunt, a complete jackass. It would not be unusual for people to rank him as their least favorite character.

But when all hell breaks loose, Michael becomes the man the other characters can rely on. He courageously runs headfirst into danger, his demeanor becoming far more serious and grounded. The character arc makes him become a much more agreeable and enjoyable character to play, with his segments being among the best. Credit has to be given to Brett Dalton for perfectly playing both versions of Mike to perfection.

1 Rami Malek (Joshua Washington – Until Dawn)

Rami Malek Steals the Show as the Complex Character of Josh

One year ago, Josh lost both of his sisters after a prank played by their friends horribly backfired, resulting in them plummeting to their death. On the anniversary of their disappearance, he invites all his friends back to their mountain lodge for a party, a plan which also backfires.

At first, Josh seems like an older brother still in mourning, and a good friend, especially to characters such as Chris. The chemistry between these characters is undeniable, and would have been impossible without the talents of skilled actors. But there is another side to Josh that becomes apparent as the game progresses, as he is a deeply disturbed individual in dire need of psychiatric help. Rami Malek provides such a compelling and believable performance that it truly immerses players in the experience of Until Dawn every time his character appears on-screen.