Today, I will induct one of the most active and very best of the modern scream queens into my site's
Horror Crush section. The gorgeous and highly talented young lady I am referring to is the awesome
Scout Taylor-Compton!
Compton was born on February 21, 1989 in Long Beach, California. She is half Mexican American, by way of her mom's side. She was always drawn to horror and the dark, having grown up on the genre and visiting her dad who worked at a mortuary. In fact, her ex-boyfriend Andy Biersack, from the hard rock act Black Veil Brides, wrote a song about her called "The Mortician's Daughter".
She began acting in 1989, doing various TV shows, movies, and commercials. In 2006, she appeared in her first horror movie.
Wicked Little Things. I've never seen this one, but have any of you seen it, and if so, any thoughts on it?
A year later, in 2007, she gained the role of Laurie Strode (originally played by the legendary Jamie Lee-Curtis) in Rob Zombie's remake of John Carpenter's seminal classic
Halloween. I simply adore this movie, and it is, in fact, my second favorite entry in the entire franchise (obiviously Carpenter's film is my favorite in the series).
Now, I realize that it is a movie that splits its audience between love and hate it. But, for the very reason that many seem to hate it, IE the humanizing Michael Myers, is one of the reasons I love it. I think it adds something new and fresh to series of movies that had long been driven into the ground (especially after the godawful
Halloween: Resurrection). Those who bitch and moan should realize that this more "human" Michael is its own universe and continuity separate from the main series (which has a bunch of different continuities to begin with!). It has a dark and violently mean-spirited edge to which helps to make a great slasher. As a matter of fact, I believe it to be one of the best remakes ever and one of the finest slasher movies of the 21st century. And, say what you will the fact remains that it is the highest grossing entry in the franchise.
Compton is a great choice to play Strode as she perfectly captures the girl next door. Or as I always say, the girl I wish lived next door to me! In fact, and this is the pure truth, I was a fan of hers as soon as this movie was over! She has two lovely ladies acting with her, as her friends, in the form of
Danielle Harris (who was played the original's Laurie daughter, Jamie Lloyd in
Halloween 4 &
5) as Annie and Kristina Klebe as Lynda. Compton is a solid final girl and really helps to turn up the tensions in the violent climax, as she tries to deal with all the slaughter around her and escape her brother Michael Myers (who she has no clue is her bro). She is particularly great in the bloody, shrieking, and unnerving ending.
She appeared in another horror remake in the form of
April Fool's Day which came out on DVD in 2008. I never saw it, and to be honest, had very little interest to ever see it. I am not a big fan of the original (I hate the ending with a passion), and I didn't even know Compton was in it, till now. Maybe I would have seen it had I known. Do you guys who have seen think I should bother?
A year later she made a cameo in the horror flick
Life Blood, which again, I haven't seen. She returned to her best known role, that of Laurie Strode, in Rob Zombie's sequel
Halloween II. In it, Strode is living in Annie's (s also returning Danielle Harris) home with her and her dad, Sheriff Brackett (Brad Dourif. who returns as well). Michael survives getting his brains blown out from the last film and heads off to Haddonfield for what he feels will be a family reunion with his sis, stabbing everyone in his way. Laurie is traumatized from the last flick and has become kind of a bratty bitch.
While, I loved the preceding movie, this one, er not so much. I thought it was meh, while first seeing in the movies, and kinda disliked it more the more I thought of it. I would eventually find out that although uneven, it grows more and more on me over time and viewings. It is, at least nicely shot and the violence feels like the most brutal in the franchise. The acting is also quite good, including Compton. While, she is not as likable as she was in the last film, she is given more to work with. She also looks great, especially in her maid costume!
When compared to
Halloween: Resurrection it is a masterpiece. I have watched
Halloween: Resurrection once and despite owning the Blu-ray box set, I NEVER watched the disc and probably never will!
Compton appeared in a bunch of other horror movies from there (aside from working in other genres, including appearing in the excellent
The Runaways). I haven't seen them but they include:
247°F, Flight 7500 (the pic below, in which she looks GORGEOUS!)
, and
Return to Sender.
One horror movie that she is that I did see is 2017's
Ghost House. I caught it very recently on Netlix (which it is still streaming on), and I actually enjoyed it. In it, she plays part of a couple that go to Thailand and unknowingly get a ghost curse passed down on her. It breaks no new ground and rips-off of movies like
The Ring and
The Grudge. But, it is an easy time killer as it keeps you entertained. The acting is also solid, especially from Compton. She is likable in her role and looks great. And, as a plus for skin fans, she does appear topless, even if it is rather quick.
She has sice done even more horror movies many of which have yet to come or are in pre-production.
I actually had the pleasure of meeting Compton this
past Sat at the Chiller Theatre con. She is so sweet in person and even more of a knock out in the look department! This has helped to solidified my fandom for her.
Scout Taylor-Compton is one of the biggest, most popular, and most hard working modern horror actresses. She is amassing a huge genre (and beyond) resume. And, the plus side is that she has the immense talent and beauty to back it up. She has a naturally pretty face, gorgeous eyes, and stays in great shape. On top of this she is an immensely sweet and truly seems to love her fans and inclement in the genre. It is thanks to everything that I have said, that I officially make her an inductee to this site's Horror Crushes!
