/Answers: Our Favorite Horror Movie Villains – /FILM

Posted on Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 by /Film Staff

Every week in/Answers, we attempt to answera new pop culture-related question.Tying in withthe release of It and the re-introduction of Pennywise the clown, this weeks edition asks Who is your favorite horror movie villain?

One, two, Freddys coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door

Out of all of the nursery rhymes from my childhood, I remember that one above all others. Equal parts catchy and spine tingling, the ominous warning, delivered frightfully by angelic children, solidified Freddys boogeyman status. Having seen ANightmare on Elm Street at way too young of an age thanks to my big brothers, most nights I wanted to hold my eyelids open like some sort of spastic cartoon character. Anything to keep away those creepy extending arms and the head-splitting sounds of his dragging knives. On the nights that I was unlucky enough to fall asleep, Freddy Kruger was the star of some of my worst nightmares. Supernatural horror doesnt usually haunt me after the credits roll, but Freddy created a fear that I was never able to shake.

Five, Six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, gonna stay up late.

That all being said, I also kind of really love Freddy. Dont get me wrong, he is terrfiying, but you cant deny that vicious wit and sense of humor. However, you also cant deny that he is child murderer and a pervert. I can never decide whether I watch ANightmare on Elm Street because I think Freddy is cool or because I just dont feel like sleeping that night, but I do know that when it comes to the slasher movie kings, Freddy takes the bloody cake (he wont have any trouble cutting it, either). Unlike his former adversary, Jason, who was an innocent child and a victim in his own right, Freddy was a terrible person even before he was a terrible ghoul. There is literally nothing admirable, relatable, or in anyway shape or form morally sound in Freddy Krueger. When you are talking about a through and through villain, Freddy Kruegers rap sheet is about as long and ghastly as they come.

Nine, ten, never sleep again.

Where Jason murdered innocent teenagers with the indifference of a shark, Freddy teased and toyed with his victims. It was upsetting psychological torture and his own screwed-up form of foreplay. Freddy has a way of making you feel outraged, disgusted, and horrified. He was the kind of villain that triggers that guilty and curious side of you that watches serial killer true crime documentaries, and you dont know whether to say cool, or be terrified of the Amazon guy ringing your doorbell. When I think of all of the things that make Freddy Freddy, it makes me sick to my stomach, but that doesnt stop me from dramatically holding my hand up to my face whenever I get my nails done and saying, THIS IS GOD, as dramatically as possible. Freddy Krueger is sick-fascination at its finest.

Listen, and understand. That Terminator is out there. It cant be bargained with. It cant be reasoned with. It doesnt feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop ever until you are dead.

Are there any worse words to hear if your name is Sarah Connor? In my mind, that speech from Michael Biehns Kyle Reese in the original The Terminator is the gold standard for describing a horror movie villain. That look of horrified realization on Sarahs face as the enormity of her scenario sinks init gets me every time. All of the sequels may have blunted the power of the first movie in your memory, but while being a terrific piece of science fiction, I consider The Terminator to be a full-on slasher horror film as well. Instead of camp counselors or dreaming children, Arnold Schwarzeneggers hulking, unstoppable force is out to kill the mother of the leader of the human revolution thats to come. Being faced with something stalking you that cant be dealt with using any methods youve ever used before is a truly terrifying prospect. Schwarzenegger plays his role to perfection, and the way James Cameron tapped into that fear and wrapped it in simultaneously complex and simple story is nothing short of masterful.

For my money, theres no better horror villain than Michael Myers. Before Rob Zombie tried to give him a typical serial killer origin story, Michael Myers was a ruthless killing machine motivated by his desire to kill his younger sister, Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis). However, this was a revelation that we didnt even learn about until Halloween II. Therefore, in the original Halloween, the white-masked madman is nothing more than a senseless killer with no rhyme or reason driving his knife into his various victims.

Making Michael Myers even more terrifying is that before the idea of the invincible slasher became a horror trope, this was a killer who took several bullets to the body, only to disappear and return to kill over and over again. Eventually his mythology would expand to include connections to the occult and Samhain. But in that first Halloween, Michael Myers was an unstoppable killer who proved that the Boogeyman was real, and that continues to be terrifying to this day.

Whos the meanest horror baddie in all the land? Never underestimate a Good Guy like Chucky. Once a fixture in my nightmares, now my favorite iconic horror villain. Little Donato wasnt as big a Chuckster fan as Adult Donato that I can ASSURE you. Yet, here we are. Me arguing why Don Mancinis pint-sized voodoo legend is, without a doubt, the horror genres Most Valuable Slayer. Denim overalls, freckles and all.

Looking at the Childs Play franchise as a whole, theres no more stellar collection of consequential horror releases. From Childs Play to Curse Of Chucky, theres something to like about every one of Mancinis excursions into toonish terror,Seed Of Chucky included. It may be the weakest of the bunch, but at least its got John Waters being acid-washed by Chucky mid father-son bonding. Points for weirdness and family values!

Other than that, there isnt another weak link to argue. Childs Play made a murderer, Childs Play 2 upped the ante, Childs Play 3 always gets unjustly forgotten, Bride Of Chucky embraced the 90s meta swing, and Curse Of Chucky bounced back from the overly-goofball tone of Seed. All sequels, all in the name of creative advancement. One of the rare genre franchises that has more positive takeaways than sequel blemishes.

As horror has evolved, so has Chucky. Thats not to say other icons havent (Freddy Vs. Jason, for example), but it looks better on Chucky. Film by film, his rubberized exterior and cutesy clothes become more tattered; face mangled and stitched together like Frankensteins monsters favorite toy. Brad Dourif always hits upon the same tormented innocence as Charles Lee Ray, bringing life to an otherwise childish gag. A living dolly, whats to fear, right? Dont let Chucky or Brad hear that. Theyve built a legacy by corrupting all that should be safe and adorable. Because whats safety, anyway? Just a facade. Welcome to reality.

For all the times Chucky could have rolled over and died, Mancinis creation has endured. Enjoyable sequels. Rejuvenated rebrandings. Then, when Seed looked to spell utter doom, Curse reminded us why we fell in love with a devilish red-haired puppet who curses and kills. Sorry Jack, Chuckys ALWAYS going to be back. Thats why he dons a crown of bones no other villain does.

Added bonus! This INSANE Childs Play closing-credits song that never was by artist Simon Stokes. You must see to believe.

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/Answers: Our Favorite Horror Movie Villains - /FILM

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero