After a short theatrical run, the romantic horror-comedy Your Monster is now available to rent or purchase on digital platforms. We strongly recommend watching this film if you're a fan of the amazingly talented Melissa Barrera. She gives an outstanding performance in this movie as a once soft-spoken young woman who, after a bad breakup, rediscovers herself and finds her voice with the help of a charming beastly creature living in her closet.
I'm sure that after you finish watching Your Monster, you'll want to explore more of Barrera's work in the horror genre. No worries! We've rounded up three other must-see horror films where she brings her captivating talent to the screen. You may or may not have already watched these movies. That's okay, though. It looks like it's time for a rewatch session, then.
Scream (2022)
The Scream film series is hands down one of the best horror franchises, and when it finally made its return for its fifth installment in 2022, fans were pumped to see it. Serving as a sequel to Scream 4 (2011), Scream takes place 25 years after the original murders in the small town of Woodsboro, and introduces a bunch of new characters who find themselves being terrorized by a new Ghostface killer. One of those new characters is Sam Carpenter, played by Melissa Barrera.
Joining Barrera in the cast are Jenna Ortega, Mikey Madison, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Neve Campbell, and many others.
Where to watch: Netflix, Paramount+
Scream VI (2023)
After the fifth installment hit theaters and became an instant box-office hit, a sixth film/sequel titled Scream VI was announced to be in the works with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett returning to direct and James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick returning to write the script.
Barrera reprised her role as Sam Carpenter. Other returning cast members from Scream (2022) included Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Courteney Cox. Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving were new cast members.
After surviving the Woodsboro murders in Scream (2022), the survivors leave California for New York City for a fresh new start. But their peace doesn't last long as a new Ghostface killer emerges, making them their targets.
Where to watch: Paramount+
Abigail (2024)
While most critics and viewers alike enjoyed this movie, I still don't feel like it is appreciated enough. If you want to talk about Barrera's best performances, you have to talk about Abigail. I'm not saying everyone else in the cast didn't do a good job, but Barrera carried this film and gave an incredible performance.
The story revolves around a bunch of criminals who take on the job of kidnapping a young girl and holding her hostage in an isolated mansion until they're paid a ransom of $50 million. But what they thought would be an easy task turns out to be their worst nightmare as they discover the young girl is not who she appears to be. She's a centuries-old vampire! Barrera stars as Joey, one of the criminals. Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Alisha Weir, and Giancarlo Esposito are also in the cast.
Where to watch: Peacock