Matthew Lillard can make broad comedy feel faintly unsafe, and a small supporting part worth watching. We value that restless energy, though he is less persuasive when he pushes every expression too far.
Fi1m perspective
In Five Nights at Freddy's (2023), Matthew Lillard plays the careers adviser who sends Mike to Freddy's, and briefly makes a poor horror film more enjoyable. We perked up when he appeared: he seemed to be having fun, which was in short supply elsewhere. Josh Hutcherson's tired, apologetic Mike gives the film some warmth, but Lillard supplies a different and welcome pleasure. He allows us to enjoy an actor making the most of a small part. Emma Tammi's film could have used more of that.
His breakthrough as Stu Macher in Wes Craven's Scream (1996) established how quickly his high spirits could become unsettling. The expressive face and physical restlessness suit a kind of comedy in which the friendly person might also be trouble. When he pushes too hard, however, the expressions can become more interesting to watch than the scene itself. Scooby-Doo (2002) gave him Shaggy, followed by extensive work voicing the character. Broad comedy plainly suits him, but it should not be the limit of what directors ask him to do.
The Descendants (2011), with Lillard as Brian Speer, gives us a useful counterexample: a supporting dramatic role that makes room for vulnerability. It is worth remembering that performance alongside the renewed attention brought by Five Nights at Freddy's in 2023. The horror film makes good use of his appetite for performing, but it does not give much sense of what he might do with a character allowed more time.
Daredevil: Born Again (2025) gives him the role of Mr. Charles, though Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio are the principal reasons we recommend the series. Craven found a use for his excesses in Scream, while Tammi's film leaves us wishing he had more to do. Next time, give him a substantial supporting part and someone willing to ask for a quieter take.
Biography
Matthew Lillard is an American actor. Born on 24 January 1970 in Lansing, Michigan, he is also credited as Matthew Lyn Lillard and Matt Lillard.
His early film roles include Serial Mom (1994) and Hackers (1995). He gained prominence for portraying Stu Macher in Scream (1996). He later starred in SLC Punk! (1998), She's All That (1999), and played Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo (2002) and its 2004 sequel, later voicing the character in animation.
Lillard has appeared in dramatic roles including The Descendants (2011) and Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), and in the series Good Girls (2018–2021). He played Steve Raglan / William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) and Mr. Charles in Daredevil: Born Again (2025).
