The Girl Behind The Ring‘s Iconic Ghost Samara Morgan

Daveigh Chase brought the vengeful ghost girl Samara Morgan to life in Gore Verbinski‘s 2002 smash horror film The Ring. Though only 12 years old at the time, Chase‘s chilling performance spawned a decades-spanning legacy cementing Samara as one of cinema’s most terrifying characters.

From Unknown Child Actor to Horror Icon

Over 100 girls auditioned for the coveted role of Samara, the film’s antagonist haunting victims after they watch her cursed videotape. According to director Verbinski, Chase won the part for her ability to project “otherworldly emotions” beyond her young age, crucial for realizing the character’s complex backstory (source).

Transforming Chase into the ghostly figure crawling through televisions relied heavily on makeup and visual effects. Creators drew aesthetic inspiration from Japanese horror to craft Samara’s signature style —long dark hair concealing her face in tangles while wearing a filthy white dress (source). This iconic, unsettling imagery sparked countless memes and pop culture references.

But the character’s frightful appearance wasn’t solely responsible for Samara burrowing into our cultural consciousness. Yes, the visuals stick with you long after the movie ends, but it’s Chase’s performance that burns Samara’s wrath and torment into your psyche.

Critical Acclaim and Lasting Horror Heroine

Chase brought such conviction to the part that despite limited screentime, her presence looms over the entire film. Samara’s anger and pain feel viscerally real, enough to force the audience into her twisted headspace. Roger Ebert praised Chase in his 3-out-of-4 star review:

“Daveigh Chase plays Samara, in a performance that is convincing not only in itself but also for the effect she has on Naomi Watts as Rachel, who becomes terrified of Samara and at the same time drawn pityingly into her pain.”

MTV clearly agreed, awarding Chase Best Villain for her breakthrough performance at the 2003 Movie Awards. Franchise creator Hideo Nakata also highlighted her defining role, stating Samara became a more sympathetic character thanks to Chase‘s portrayal (source).

Fun Fact: Over 20 years since the first film‘s release, Samara Morgan remains one of only two horror villains awarded MTV‘s Best Villain trophy, the other going to Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs (source).

By the Numbers: The Ring‘s Monstrous Box Office Run

Horror remakes don’t boast a strong track record. But The Ring defied the odds, shattering records on its path to becoming the highest grossing horror remake ever at the time of its release (source).

The Ring (2002) Key Box Office Stats:

• $249.3 million worldwide box office gross (source)
• #1 movie in North America for 2 straight weeks (source)
• Over $100 million domestic gross in first 20 days (source)
• Produced on a $48 million budget (source)

Adjusted for inflation, The Ring brought in the modern equivalent of over $380 million globally. Made for under $50 million, the horror remake generated an incredible 790% ROI for backers.

Thanks to Samara/Daveigh Chase creeping out audiences everywhere, the film quadrupled its production budget in profit and kicked off a wave of horror remakes striving to achieve similar success.

Fun Fact: The Ring remains one of only six R-rated horror movies to ever break $100 million at the domestic box office (source)

Versatility Launching Chase’s Prolific Voice Acting Career

In a shocking contrast from her breakthrough role, Daveigh Chase voiced the sweet, optimistic Lilo Pelekai in Disney’s 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch—also released in 2002! This duality highlights Chase’s early versatility playing polar opposite children roles in two wildly popular movies at once.

After The Ring, Chase leveraged her distinct vocal talents for consistent voice acting jobs across her adolescence. Major credits include:

• Lilo Pelekai: Revisited the role throughout Lilo & Stitch sequels and spinoff TV series spanning into the 2010s (source)
• Rhonda Volmer: Fan favorite character in 3 seasons of HBO drama Big Love (source)
• Becca Thornberry: Recurring voice role in 90s Nickelodeon classic The Wild Thornberrys (source)

Chase continues voice acting today. But Samara Morgan clearly represented her career-defining role based on far-reaching cultural impact.

Lasting Horror Heroine

Nearly 20 years removed from the horror classic’s debut, Samara Morgan remains etched in viewers’ nightmares everywhere. Despite limited screentime, Chase’s performance as the vengeful spectral girl makes Samara the face of The Ring—and a penetrating icon for psychological supernatural horror overall.

For a child actress, Daveigh Chase overdelivered in spades, spawning a character fans and critics evaluate as among cinema’s most terrifying villains ever. Not bad considering she was only 12 years old filming The Ring.

While Chase deserves praise for her wide-ranging acting chops, true horror buffs will always associate her most strongly with Samara Morgan. We have the young actress‘s compelling performance to thank for birthing a horror legend that won‘t be climbing out of our TV screens anytime soon.