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P.J. Soles

P.J. Soles

Actor, also producer · Born July 17, 1950 (76) · Frankfurt, Germany

Pamela Jayne Soles (born July 17, 1950) is a retired American actress. She made her film debut in 1976 as Norma Watson in Brian De Palma's Carrie before portraying Lynda van der Klok in John Carpenter's Halloween and Riff Randell in Allan Arkush's Rock 'n' Roll High School.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 17, 1950 (76)
From
Frankfurt, Germany
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 63 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 10% in 30 days

What are P.J. Soles' films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Society.

Genres

Horror7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 6th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
25%
Society
18%
Survival
17%
Morality
17%
Bonds
10%
Power
7%
Ideas
5%
Community5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 12 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 5
Hero
1 of 5
Herald
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Dread
8
Joyful
5
Absurd
5
Melancholic
4
Other
18

How their films linger

Fun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet1
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous7
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch P.J. Soles' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for P.J. Soles' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 18 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Halloween Kills(2021)

    as Lynda

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Hanukkah(2019)

    as Mrs. Horowitz

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Class of '79: 40 Years of Rock 'N' Roll High School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Candy Corn(2019)

    as Marcy Taylor

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Killer Therapy(2019)

    as Dr. Emily Lewis

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Halloween(2018)

    as Teacher (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • November First (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Barista

  • Grindsploitation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Dr. Ramone (segment "Arbor Day")

  • Chastity Bites(2013)

    as Lea's Mom (voice)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Butterfly Room(2012)

    as Lauren

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Beg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Eva Fox

  • Alone in the Dark 2(2008)

    as Martha

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Prank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Marianne

  • Love in the Age of Fishsticks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as God (voice)

  • No Place Like Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as P.J.

  • Ray of Sunshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mother

  • The Tooth Fairy(2006)

    as Mrs. MacDonald

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Halloween: 25 Years of Terror(2006)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Death by Engagement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Mrs. Starkington

  • The Devil's Rejects(2005)

    as Susan

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Pee Stains and Other Disasters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Jenny

  • Murder on the Yellow Brick Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Hannah Gruber

  • Kept (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Celia

  • Mirror, Mirror 4: Reflections (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Annika's Mom

  • Blast(2000)

    as Stellvertreter

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Annie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Jawbreaker(1999)

    as Mrs. Purr

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Little Bigfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Carolyn

  • Uncle Sam(1996)

    as Madge Cronin

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Out There(1995)

    as Religious Nut

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Power Within (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Mrs. Applegate

  • Shake, Rattle and Rock!(1994)

    as Evelyn Randall

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Rebel Highway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Evelyn Randall

  • Soldier's Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Debra

  • Alienator(1990)

    as Tara

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • B.O.R.N.(1989)

    Associate Producer · as Liz

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Saigon Commandos(1988)

    as Jean Lassiter

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Dreams(1985)

    as Wanda

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Innocent Prey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Cathy Wills

  • Listen to the City(1984)

    as Sophia

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Airwolf(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellie

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Imps* (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Young Lady

  • The Other Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mary Louise

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Julie

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellen Whitby

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Awakening of Cassie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Cassie

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.(1981)

    as Sharlene

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Stripes(1981)

    as Stella Hansen

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Private Benjamin(1980)

    as Pvt. Wanda Winter

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Breaking Away(1979)

    as Suzy

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Rock 'n' Roll High School(1979)

    as Riff Randell

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Old Boyfriends(1979)

    as Sandy

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Halloween(1978)

    as Lynda

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Zuma Beach(1978)

    as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Our Winning Season(1978)

    as Cindy Hawkins

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Calling Doctor Storm, M.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sarah Baynes

  • Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn(1977)

    as Autograph Seeker

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Possessed(1977)

    as Marty

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Boy in the Plastic Bubble(1976)

    as Deborah

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Carrie(1976)

    as Norma

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Blood Bath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Screaming Girl in Bed

  • Another Ice Cream Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 63 titles, 62 of them dated from 1975 to 2021; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Stripes (1981)

$85M worldwide

Highest rated

Halloween (1978)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19752021

Peak 2005 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting63 of 63: 62 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score32ndProducing1 of 63: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s12 · acting1980s15 · 15 acting · 1 crew1990s10 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s10 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 17% of 18 roles
768101

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do P.J. Soles' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 30th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 27th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 38 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser8
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Alone in the Dark 2 (2008)

94th percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Breaking Away (1979)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 55/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is P.J. Soles' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 48 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 35 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does P.J. Soles work with?

People who share at least 2 of P.J. Soles' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Caleb Thomas shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles