What makes a good horror monster/killer? I'm trying to design my own

[Cerebreus]

I'm not really a fan of the horror genre, but after playing Clock Tower for the playstation, I've taken an interest in trying to make my own being of horror. To do this, I need to figure out what makes a movie monster/killer.

To make this interesting, in addition to advice, let's also explore previously established killers from all forms of the horror genre. This can include humans, monsters, ghosts, etc. from books, movies, games, etc.

List all beings that have scared you and examine their qualities. What are they? What is their method of killing? Their mental state/desires? Any deeper meaning or symbolism? Just what makes them so scary to you?

I hope this will be a fruitful thread, both for me and all who read and contribute.


Here is an example by pewpewz:

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This is going to sound silly - but the uhh... Grudge from (you guessed it) the Grudge. The original Japanese version scares me silly.
When I watch it, it's laughable and just a piece of mindlessness, with the jittery movements and overdosed makeup.

But what really gets to me is the relentlessness of the 'villain'. The whole coming at you when you're sleeping, and being faced by such a messed up crawling dead body as its slowly coming towards you absolutely terrifies me. The scenes with the woman and the boy are just too frightening if you allow yourself to imagine what that would be in real life.

Just think about going into an attic with nothing but a lighter, turning around and someone is staring you straight in the face. I know I'd crap myself.

The best (and worst) part is how you never see the gore of what happens to the people who come across 'The Grudge'. It's all up to your imagination. Also the idea of a poor old woman being stuck in a house with a dead friggin' body crawling all around her is horrible as well. She was obviously completely traumatized and helpless because she was paralyzed.

I'm getting shivers just writing this.
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NOTE: Thread was renamed twice already. Was first called "Need help designing a killer worthy of the horror genre." then "List your favorite horror monsters/killers AND what made them so memorable/ scary..." for a time, but has been edited back.

 

[arc101]

Clocktower is an amazing game, and I can see how it would make you want to make this thread.

Aliens are the greatest horror exponent in sci-fi, but the scariest horror element are based on reality, such as a clown, or ghosts, becasue they are so close to reality.

Anything based on the real is the most scary

 

[Jonny49]

The best type of horror is something that is unseen, and when you do see it, it's only a glimpse. Why? Because when someone's imagination takes hold, it can seriously mess with some people.

 

[Cerebreus]

Clocktower is an amazing game, and I can see how it would make you want to make this thread.

Aliens are the greatest horror exponent in sci-fi, but the scariest horror element are based on reality, such as a clown, or ghosts, becasue they are so close to reality.

Anything based on the real is the most scary

I agree, but I think I could learn something from analyzing the unreal as well.

Not to be bothersom, but could you explain why you think Aliens are the greatest horror exponent in sci-fi? I already know most of it, but the purpose of this thread is to back up such statements like the one you made. I want to people to analyze their favorite movie monsters to see what makes them so special and so scary.

So, could you explain your statement? It's the purpose of this thread. Plus, you might know something I don't.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

killers aren't hard to make up. you need part messed up childhood, part traumatic event, part crazy, toss in a blender, ????, profit

it's all in the imagination, now you don't have to follow that exactly but it's a good basis for them. i would also suggest watching some movies or reading some books. tho movies are better for the serial killer ilk

 

[Resistance205]

In my mind, a killer is someone calm. They may not always know what their doing, but they are calm about it. They take their time, they take pleasure in the chase of it. Not one of those really slow creeping ones, but the patient type. The ones who will wait for the right chance to strike and make their move.

Actually, if someone could give me a horror movie with a killer like this I will love (and possibly be terrified of) you forever!

 

[Fiskmasen]

Motherfucking Tim Curry as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Tim Curry's version of that damn clown scarred me more than the version in the book.

"Ohh yes, they float Georgie. [small]They float...[/small]"

So... a good killer basically needs to be a clown played by Tim Curry.

 

[Misterian]

the only horror movies I enjoy are the ones where the killer ends up karmatically even with everyone he/she's murdered. So the most I can suggest is to make sure whatever killer you plan on designing, make sure something happens where he/she either dies as well, or faces similar punishment. got me?

I honestly don't see anything good in storys where the villian does pretty much everything he wanted to do and gets away with it completely in the end.

you'll never see me writing any stories like that.

 

[Cerebreus]

killers aren't hard to make up. you need part messed up childhood, part traumatic event, part crazy, toss in a blender, ????, profit

it's all in the imagination, now you don't have to follow that exactly but it's a good basis for them. i would also suggest watching some movies or reading some books. tho movies are better for the serial killer ilk

Well, I have ideas already, but I also wanted people to analyze the things that scare them. The xenomorph is scary, but why? The chestbursting is definitely one thing, but is there anything else? The speed? The threat posed by your own allies if they've been attacked by a facehugger? This is some of what I want people to ask themselves and discuss on this thread.

Care to try?

 

[Dudemeister]

The year is 2005!
A paedophile named Dave is being sentenced to death for his cruel and unusual crimes against children. To spare himself the humiliation of a public execution, he attempts suicide in his cell by stabbing himself repeatedly in the eye with a plastic spork.
A few hours later, doctors battle to save his life in a complex eye surgery. However, unbeknownst to them, the local nuclear power station begins to enter a state of meltdown.
When the blast hits, everyone within 20 miles is killed instantly. Everyone except for Dave, that is!
The nuclear blast melded together, his damaged eye socket with the complex surgical apparatus, the doctors were using on him.
He now has the ultimate eye, it can see through anything and allows him to teleport and fly for some reason!
And so, a killer is born. They call him Mad Eye Dave!

 

[TheZapper]

The less you explain about a character, the scarier and more interesting they are.

 

[pewpewz]

List all of the ones that have scared you and examine their qualities. What are they? What is their method of killing? Their mental state/desires? Any deeper meaning or symbolism? Just what makes them so scary to you?

This is going to sound silly - but the uhh... Grudge from (you guessed it) the Grudge. The original Japanese version scares me silly.
When I watch it, it's laughable and just a piece of mindlessness, with the jittery movements and overdosed makeup.

But what really gets to me is the relentlessness of the 'villain'. The whole coming at you when you're sleeping, and being faced by such a messed up crawling dead body as its slowly coming towards you absolutely terrifies me. The scenes with the woman and the boy are just too frightening if you allow yourself to imagine what that would be in real life.

Just think about going into an attic with nothing but a lighter, turning around and someone is staring you straight in the face. I know I'd crap myself.

The best (and worst) part is how you never see the gore of what happens to the people who come across 'The Grudge'. It's all up to your imagination. Also the idea of a poor old woman being stuck in a house with a dead friggin' body crawling all around her is horrible as well. She was obviously completely traumatized and helpless because she was paralyzed.

I'm getting shivers just writing this.

The nuclear blast melded together, his damaged eye socket with the complex surgical apparatus, the doctors were using on him.
He now has the ultimate eye, it can see through anything and allows him to teleport and fly for some reason!
And so, a killer is born. They call him Mad Eye Dave!

I think I love you.

 

[Jedamethis]

Make sure you never see him/her/it, only the mess they leave behind. That is scary.

 

[Cerebreus]

YES! What you wrote about the Grudge is the kind of thing I was hoping people would write for this thread. Thanks. I think I'll use it as an example for others to follow.

 

[IrishBerserker]

snip

It should be noted I'm going off movies.

-

If you look at human killers (Ex. Jason, Freddy, Micheal, Letherface, etc.) they all have at least one signiture weapon. Though they do use things from the evironmental (Lead pipe, rebar, tree branch and so on). No for attitude, it depends if you want to make them funny and scary or just scary. If you want them to be funny then they should have the ability to talk (ex. Freddy). If you want them to just be scary then the shouldn't talk (Jason, Micheal). Though their are exeptions to these rules, all depends on their action or what they say. Also they usually have a signiture out fit (ex. Freddy's sweater and hat). They are generally psychotic, sociopathic, have scitzophrenia or are possesed.

Monsters are harder to make, as most looks have been taken. Though if you are able to make a new look, its best to keep them hidden until the close to the end. Though guick glimpses during an attack, generally the mouth shooting towards the camera, deffinatly add to fear of the creature. Once again any monster should have a signature be it claw marks on a wall, colour of bodily fluid (Venom or Blood) or a sound (growl, screech or hiss). A good example of those signatures is the Xenomorph from Alien having green, acidic blood and their signature hiss.


The scariest ghost in my opinion is a poltergeist, just because you can't see it but you know it can hurt you.

Extraterestrials are much the same as monster in terms of looks. Unless it is an invasion they would gualify as monsters. But if it is an invasion then they would obviously have ships and ground units. The iconic "Greyman" look is perhaps the most unsetaling in trems of looks. This is mainly because they look close to humans but have large, cold black eyes and expression less faces.

Note: how scary a monster or extraterestrial is generally depends on the way they look and the weapons, if any, they use.

 

[Cerebreus]

The less you explain about a character, the scarier and more interesting they are.

What do mean by that? Origin story, reasons for killing, or in general?