Neve Campbell, 52, Proves She’s Still the Queen of Horror Almost 30 Years After ‘Scream’
Neve Campbell, 52, is still one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, and she owes much of her fame to a single, game-changing role.
The Canadian actress began her career with small commercial work, including an Eaton’s department store Christmas ad in the 1980s and a 1991 Coca-Cola commercial. She even appeared on Bryan Adams’s Waking Up the Nation Tour to promote Coca-Cola’s sponsorship. Early TV appearances included an uncredited cameo on My Secret Identity and guest roles on Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues in the early ’90s.
Her big break came in 1994 when she was cast as Julia Salinger on Party of Five. Campbell moved to Los Angeles for the role, which quickly became her breakthrough. The series won a Golden Globe for Best Drama in 1996, and Campbell’s performance earned praise from critics and audiences alike. After six seasons, she left to focus on movies, ending the show in 2000.
In 1996, Campbell starred in The Craft, which turned out to be a surprise hit. Her work caught the eye of legendary horror director Wes Craven, who personally asked her to audition for the role of Sidney Prescott in Scream. Craven believed she could look “innocent” while also handling the intense emotional and physical scenes the part demanded. The film became a massive success, earning $173 million worldwide and cementing Campbell as a horror icon. Critics loved her performance. Variety called her “charismatic,” and the Los Angeles Times described both her acting and her character as “iconic.” She won both the Fangoria Chainsaw Award and the Saturn Award for Best Actress.
Campbell returned as Sidney in Scream 2 and Scream 3, with the former earning over $170 million. Patrick Mullen of Medium praised her, saying, “Sidney Prescott is a more compelling heroine than you usually get in a horror movie.”
She also took on diverse roles outside horror, including Wild Things, Hairshirt, and voicing Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. Critics often highlighted her skill in bringing depth to complex characters. Glamour described her role in Wild Things as one of “the most well-rounded, fascinating, and exciting characters to ever grace the screen.”
Campbell’s career has also included critically praised indie films like The Company and When Will I Be Loved, along with stage work in London’s West End. In interviews, she reflected on her growth: “I think I went from being a young girl / ingénue to a woman, which was great for me.” She even took a break from acting when she felt the roles she was offered didn’t match her goals.
In recent years, Campbell has returned to horror for the fifth Scream film in 2022, earning praise for her fresh take on Sidney. Elle called her the “Reigning Queen of Scream,” noting her combination of vulnerability, intelligence, and humor. She’s also starred in Netflix hits like The Lincoln Lawyer and voiced characters in animated projects like X-Men ‘97.
Off-screen, Campbell balances her career with family life. She married JJ Feild, and they have two children together. She also speaks openly about her heritage: “I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I’m Jewish, I say yes.”
Neve Campbell remains a horror legend, a versatile actress, and a respected figure in Hollywood nearly 30 years after Scream. Fans continue to celebrate her for bringing depth and strength to Sidney Prescott, a role that helped define modern horror heroines. As she prepares to reprise the iconic character in Scream 7 in 2026, Campbell’s legacy as both a scream queen and a talented, multifaceted performer shows no signs of slowing down.
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