<p><br /> It may be her first major role in a feature film, but Ashley Bell, star of horror The Last Exorcism, is already being tipped for an Oscar.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 24-year-old actress gives an unexpectedly physical performance as troubled teen Nell, as she struggles with what appears to be demonic possession.<br /> </p><p><br /> Her eerie contortionism, in particular the 'back bend', has become the signature image of the film, appearing in the trailers and on the poster.<br /> </p><p><br /> Bell, who is double-jointed, came up with the physical moves herself, and the director was more than happy to write them into the film.<br /> </p><p><br /> Her co-stars say it was easy to act scared in scenes with Bell, as they were genuinely "freaked out".<br /> </p><p><br /> Physicality aside, Bell's performance has been praised by critics, drawing inevitable comparisons to Linda Blair's Oscar-nominated performance in The Exorcist.<br /> </p>
