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Vinessa Shaw

Vinessa Shaw

Actor, also producer · Born July 19, 1976 (50) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Vinessa Elizabeth Shaw (born July 19, 1976) is an American actress and model. Shaw has starred in numerous motion pictures since the early 1990s, and is probably most well-known for her performances in Disney's 1993 Halloween film Hocus Pocus, Ladybugs, the 2006 remake of Wes Craven's horror picture The Hills Have Eyes, as well as the 2008 romance film Two Lovers, in which she starred alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow. Description above from the Wikipedia article Vinessa Shaw, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 19, 1976 (50)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 52 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 27

What are Vinessa Shaw's films like?

Across their 30 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Horror6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 11th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
Survival
27%
Bonds
24%
Self
24%
Morality
15%
Society
4%
Ideas
3%
Power
3%
Family bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 5 · Dark 17

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 16 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 4

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 11 · Intense 13

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

A split, not a type: Steady 15 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 21 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 10 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 8

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 14

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 15 · Open-ended 11 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 15 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 15
Hero
3 of 15
Shapeshifter
2 of 15
Mentor
2 of 15
Herald
1 of 15
Threshold guardian
1 of 15
Shadow
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Dread
10
Melancholic
12
Contemplative
11
Absurd
6
Other
24

How their films linger

Unsettling11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous11

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 Vinessa Shaw's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Vinessa Shaw's 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

52 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Nickels(2026)

    as Lorraine Diller

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • PH-1(2026)

    as Monica Hall

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Wilderness(2025)

    as Audrey

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Swagger(2021)

    Show 7 episodes · as Diane

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Blazing World(2021)

    as Alice Winter

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • We Need to Do Something(2021)

    Producer · as Diane

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • 12 Mighty Orphans(2021)

    as Juanita Russell

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Yellowstone(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Everly

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Family Blood(2018)

    as Ellie

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Sensum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Lisa Mitchell

  • Clinical(2017)

    as Dr. Jane Mathis

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Bereave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Penelope

  • Cold in July(2014)

    as Ann Dane

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Electric Slide(2014)

    as Mimi

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • After the Fall(2014)

    as Susan

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Siren (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Leigh

  • Dark Around the Stars(2013)

    as Terry

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ray Donovan(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Kate McPherson

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Side Effects(2013)

    as Dierdre Banks

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Come Out and Play(2012)

    as Beth

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 7 episodes · as Laura Savino

  • Big Miracle(2012)

    as Kelly Meyers

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Puncture(2011)

    as Nurse Vicky Rogers

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Leave(2011)

    as Amy

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Birthday Suit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Two Lovers(2008)

    as Sandra Cohen

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Garden Party(2008)

    as Sally St. Claire

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Stag Night(2008)

    as Brita

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Badland(2007)

    as Nora Rice

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • 3:10 to Yuma(2007)

    as Emmy Nelson

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Hills Have Eyes(2006)

    as Lynn

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Fathers and Sons(2005)

    as Nell · as Neil

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Melinda and Melinda(2004)

    as Stacey · as Stacey Fox

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Kelly Benedict

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Bereft (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Molly

  • 40 Days and 40 Nights(2002)

    as Nicole

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Corky Romano(2001)

    as Agent Kate Russo

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Weight of Water(2000)

    as Anethe Christenson

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The '70s (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Eileen Wells

  • Wayward Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Cordelia

  • Eyes Wide Shut(1999)

    as Domino

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • L.A. Without a Map(1998)

    as Barbara

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Coyote Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Callie Carpenter

  • McKenna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • New York Undercover(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Fallen Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeannie Streeter

  • Hocus Pocus(1993)

    as Allison

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Ladybugs(1992)

    as Kimberly Mullen

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Torkelsons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Meredith Reed

  • Long Road Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Clara Tarpin

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Gloria Bryce

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Home Sweet Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Angel Bradley

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 52 titles from 1981 to 2026; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

$163M worldwide

Highest rated

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Film career

19812026

Peak 2007 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 11 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.

  • 1981Screen debut· Home Sweet Home
  • 2008First top-billed film· Garden Party
  • 2017Career best· Clinical

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting52 of 52: 52 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score45th

By decade

1980s2 · acting1990s11 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s17 · acting2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 16% of 25 roles
810111

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 Vinessa Shaw's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 37th percentile, the median of all 32; across their 30 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 30

Approval · how many liked their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · actor

Nickels (2026)

86th percentile spread · 62% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Midcredits 95th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 42. 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 Vinessa Shaw's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity, profanity and alcohol & drugs run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore13 titles24–91 · median 54 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles22–71 · median 43 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity14 titles31–87 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles36–65 · median 45 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense11 titles30–79 · median 48 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Vinessa Shaw work with?

People who share at least 2 of Vinessa Shaw's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mark Kassen shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers