When kids are cast in movies that deal with dark or frightening material, it can affect them in ways that aren’t always obvious. Adults know how to step in and out of a role, but children are still figuring out where imagination ends and reality begins. When they’re asked to act possessed, live through abuse on screen, or scream in terror, those emotions can feel very real to them in the moment.

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Why It Hits Kids Differently

Children are powerful actors because of their imagination. They throw themselves into a role with full belief. But that same openness can leave them vulnerable. Even if a director explains, “It’s just pretend,” a child’s body doesn’t always know the difference. Stress, fear, and sadness can stay with them even after filming is done.

Linda Blair, for example, became famous overnight for her role as the possessed girl in The Exorcist (1973). But behind the scenes, she was only 14, and the physical and emotional toll of that performance was enormous. She later spoke about the pressure she felt and the judgment she faced because of how real her performance seemed. Similarly, Isabelle Fuhrman was just 12 when she starred in Orphan (2009), playing a deeply disturbing role that could easily blur lines between play and psychological strain.

The Mixed Outcomes

Not every child actor comes away harmed. Haley Joel Osment, who starred in The Sixth Sense (1999) at age 11, has often spoken positively about the experience, crediting the adults on set for making him feel supported. For him, it became a stepping stone to a long career. On the other hand, some young actors from horror and heavy dramas have admitted to lingering anxiety, nightmares, or confusion after filming intense scenes. The difference often comes down to whether the adults prioritized the child’s well-being over the demands of the role.

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Why It Matters

Films can have an enormous cultural impact, but we rarely think about the hidden cost to the children at the center of them. A horror movie that terrifies millions may have been built on the genuine fear of a child who didn’t fully understand what was happening. That doesn’t mean these movies shouldn’t be made, but it does highlight an important responsibility. Whenever a child actor is asked to step into darkness, the adults around them — parents, directors, producers — have to safeguard their light and make sure they leave the set whole.