Ranked as the third best movie villain by Poly students, Norman Bates is undoubtedly one of the most maniacal characters ever portrayed in a horror film. In Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), Bates, played by horror film legend Anthony Perkins, is depicted as a man afflicted with many psychological disorders that were caused by his overbearing mother. Taught to believe that sexual intercourse is sinful and that women are harlots, the film’s protagonist has an extremely deluded mentality about the world, setting the foundation for his future homicidal episodes. His insanity pushes him past the limits, and he develops a split personality—one of them being his mother. Being the proprietor of the remote Bates Motel does not help; his customers come for lodging but never leave. The film originally received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Perkin’s performance but questioned the effectiveness of Hitchcock’s psychological points. If you are looking for a good, attention-grabbing thriller, watch Psycho and you will not be disappointed.Being the daughter of a famous actress is not easy; for Regan MacNeil, the main character of The Exorcist (1971), having a Hollywood mother is something that would bring out her inner demons. The film is an adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, a revolutionary novel of the time. After moving into a new apartment and experiencing ghost-like events in her home, Regan undergoes various changes that eventually alter her entire appearance. She becomes more aggressive and disobedient, turning into a unrecognizable human being in the process. Her rapid transformation was first thought to be an illness, but was later found to be the work of demons, something not even the best doctors could cure. An exorcist is needed in order to cleanse her of her impurity, and what follows is cinematic greatness, replete with projectile vomiting and profanity. The film’s popularity with American audiences led to several sequels and a permanent spot in both pop culture and the classic horror film canon. If you are interested in watching one of the most memorable scenes in film history, watch The Exorcist and get ready for a thriller.A clown with fluffy red hair and a white powdered face does not seem too frightening in a circus environment; however, if you encounter one in a sewer drain, you better run as quickly as you can and watch your back. A creation of famed author Stephen King, Pennywise is a clown who preys on children by transforming himself into his prey’s worst fears. He takes on a form that is extremely terrifying to kids, eventually killing them and disposing of their body parts in the sewer. Set in the town of Derry, Maine during the 1960’s, It, directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, follows a group of seven kids who seek revenge on Pennywise, the clown who tormented their dreams. The film preys on many watchers’ deepest fears: the clown, who is supposedly playful and fun, but is in reality, extremely creepy and unsettling. The pale white face and tomato-red nose remain permanently etched in people’s memories, haunting them for many night to come. If you are into sadistic clowns and a lot of bloodshed, then It (1990) is the right movie for you.“What’s your favorite scary movie?” Few people from our survey would say Scream (1996), which we would call a murder mystery rather than a horror flick. With the anniversary of a gruesome murder coming up and a copycat killer on the loose, Sidney Prescott and her friends try to make it through the night without getting a knife to the head. With Ghostface as the killer, viewers end up becoming amateur sleuths instead of frightened babies; viewers are too focused on keeping track of the body count to be scared. The fact that Ghostface was parodied in Scary Movie (2000) does not help. With the assistance of a hilarious cast led by Anna Faris, America’s favorite dumb blonde,the comedy succeeds in eliminating the scary factor of Scream’s antagonist. If he can’t stand his ground in a fight against Regina Hall, he surely can’t compete with some of Hollywood’s most fright-inducing villains. Since then, he has become the laughingstock among his kind, demoted to sub-par horror villain status in the Hollywood scene. So turn on Scream for a fun movie night, but don’t be surprised if you end up breaking down in hysterics midway through the movie because you thought of Anna Faris.“One, two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, four, he’s not so scary anymore.” Freddy Krueger is a timeless horror movie icon that has become a common household name, especially around Halloween time. But in the past 30 years since A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) was first released, the scariness has worn off and American pop culture has taken its place. Freddy Krueger, a man who was burned in a boiler room by the parents of young children he assaulted, slices and dices his victims in a place the grown kids cannot hide from—their dreams. With many sequels, a remake and even a Freddy vs. Jason (Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th) movie spawning from the original Elm Street film, kids’ Halloween costumes, the infamous Krueger glove, and the red-and-green striped sweater have been come popular in our society. We are no longer afraid of Freddy Krueger because we feel like he is just an old friend to us, pedophiliac tendencies and all. Go watch this classic horror movie from the remarkable Wes Craven, the father of all things scary, and remember: do not fall asleep.This little “Good Guy” doll isn’t so great after all. Ranking the lowest in our school-wide survey, the homicidal doll possessed by mastermind Charles Lee Ray isn’t all that scary anymore. What was once a catalyst for nightmares is now an outdated film from a bygone era— with a new age of horror defined by profuse amounts of gore on the rise, who would be scared of a measly children’s doll anymore? You’ve stepped your game up, America; as such, we’ve grown to be scared of disembowelment rather than vengeful toys. The story goes like this: a doll named Chucky ends up in the hands of a young boy on his birthday and his killer instincts come out to play. With Child’s Play (1988) spawning a number of sequels, one progressively worse than the other, it is safe to assume that its evil villain has lost its charm. The idea of a plastic, overall-wearing doll murdering innocent people makes you want to crack up, not cringe in horror. For anyone looking for an unintentionally funny scary flick, look no further than Child’s Play for a good laugh.This dark-haired girl might come crawling up your stairs this Halloween as she makes her way to the top of our list of best horror movie villains. Widely known for her long, jet-black hair that covers her face and the manner in which she crawls down the stairs, the Grudge kills anyone who tries to enter her house. Her back story is one rife with jealousy, homicide, and blood; originally a housewife named Kayako Saeki, she and her son were brutally murdered by her delusional husband, which invoked the curse known as “The Grudge.” Now an evil spirit fueled by vengeance, Saeki wreaks havoc on the Williams family, who settled into her house after her murder. Her contorting limbs and pale white skin leave you frightened, but her hand sprouting out of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s hair leaves you utterly horrified. The film is based off of Ju-On, a widely popular Japanese film directed by Takashi Shimizu. If you watch The Grudge this coming Halloween, expect to have nightmares for the following two weeks.Although Saw (2004) was one of the most original and brilliant horror movies of its time, Jigsaw was not seen as the scariest movie icon. I agree with those who would run at the sight of a creepy puppet with red swirly cheeks, but for those who have seen the first Saw film, it is interesting to note that he does not actually kill anyone. The film begins in a dingy bathroom, with two strangers chained to the wall and a dead body. A traumatizing cinematic experience of blood ensures. All I will say is that Jigsaw is more of a sadistic madman than a cold-blooded murderer. You realize that your sudden urge to vomit does not stem from Jigsaw himself, but rather from the endless bloodshed your eyes must endure. Watching someone’s limb get cut off by chainsaw or head decapitated is stomach-churning, but that is where the horror stops. Jigsaw looks more like a demented drag queen rather than a heinous mastermind. If you are in the mood to see some serious limb-hacking, jaw-dropping blood and gore, watch Saw and get your bundle of security blankets and a barf bag ready.
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