When we think of monster movies, we often think of those kitschy B-movies like The Blob or The Day of the Triffids or a giant bugs from those atomic-age 50s films — and even Godzilla to come extent. But the truth is, the word “monster” can apply to an awful lot within the horror genre, including popular properties like Freddy and Jason, or even The Omen‘s Damien. Monsters are the stars of the show, and nothing is cooler than their big kills… except for maybe their on-screen reveal. Here is a list of the baddest, scariest, most awesome monster reveals in horror (in no particular order). Caution: may contain spoilers!
Jötunn (The Ritual, 2017)
Our first glimpse of the forest-god Jötunn is just a hand slinking behind a tree. But towards the end, we are shown its entire body — a giant deer with skeletal human remains mish-mashed on top of it. Its sight was enough to make me audibly say “Oh shit.” And to this day it remains one of my favorite reveals, mainly because you would never guess it’s true form from seeing that hand behind the tree.
Haunt operators (Haunt, 2019)
Nevermind the fact that this movie is amazing (especially during the Halloween season), let’s talk about the monster design. All of the haunt operators wear masks — a witch, a ghost, a demon, etc. Towards the end of the movie, the big reveal comes where we find out that the masked workers might as well not be wearing masks at all; their faces are scarred and reworked to match the costume they wear. Puts a whole new meaning to taking your job seriously!
Skull bear (Annihilation, 2018)
Annihilation was a bit of a sleeper for me, so I hadn’t gotten around to watching until a year or so after its release. Most of it was more on the sci-fi/mystery/thriller side of horror than actual horror, except for one part; after a bear attacks one of the scientific team, it comes back from the “shimmer” as half-bear-half-human. It’s skull skin is sloughing off, revealing a human skull that looks to be blended into the bear’s, all while it’s screaming something vile. *shivers*
All Ghosts (Thirteen Ghosts, 2001)
Technically these would be from the DVD commentary tracks as opposed to the actual movie, but Thirteen Ghosts has some of the most well-designed and well-backgrounded monsters I’ve ever seen. Every detail was thought of, from their lives to their deaths, from their hair to their weapons, and everything in between. Perhaps they don’t look as cool or scary as they did back in 2001, but I still have a massive appreciation for each of them, and they live rent-free in a Latin-inscribed glass house in my brain.
Robot Joanna (The Stepford Wives, 1975)
Usually we find men having reservations about marriage, but The Stepford Wives makes my womanly body tense up with fear. Protagonist Joanna has figured out the conspiracy behind the “perfect” wives of her new community, and she has finally met her fate — not just with the realization that her husband agreed to replace her with a robot, but with the robot itself. We focus on the beauty this robot has, only to land on it’s dark, soulless eyes. Joanna has no escape.
All Monsters (Silent Hill, 2006)
It’s cool how a movie can simulate the same feeling of seeing a terrifying monster in the original game. The grotesque, bloodied, misshapen bodies throughout the town are always too gross to touch and too horrible to look at. Pyramid Head is at the top (pun intended), its reveal adding an awe-inducing spendor to a horrendous experience.
The Glitch (“Tuesday the 17th,” V/H/S, 2012)
Whoa! Who knew turning a played-out glitching trope into the actual monster would be so cool? While the monster itself isn’t too scary — it’s a simple slasher type — its look is interesting and new. Like the 2000s video glitching we’ve come to know and love, The Glitch has that same effect over its entire body (and adds to its travel as well). It’s not a reveal that makes you scream, but one that’s definitely impressive and thought-provoking. Memorable, to say the least.
Pazuzu (The Exorcist, 1973)
Enter Pazuzu, the infamous demon from the most recognized exorcism movie ever. But besides a well-endowed statue at the beginning and end of the film, we only really see the demon through second-long shots at pivotal moments. They’re so fast that you’ll miss them if you blink, but done in such a way that you remember them still. It’s as if they’re ingrained into your psyche. Is Pazuzu really there, or is the fear making you imagine things?
Stu Macher (Scream, 1996)
He’s not a monster per se, but his actions as half of the murdering Ghostface Killer duo sure do make him one. The reveal in Scream is outstanding and unexpected, but Stu’s reveal really nails it. All hope Sidney had left in her escape was instantly erased when Stu began talking into the voice changer. It’s perfection.
Angela/Peter (Sleepaway Camp, 1983)
Another unexpected reveal — just multiplied by 100! Sure, we could all sort of imagine Angela as the killer (which no one really should have to begin with), but no one would see this ending coming. We talk about its affect on queer cinema here, and that’s because this movie still has such a profound affect on both cis and LGBTQ+ audiences. In possibly the most shocking reveal in modern horror, Angela is revealed not only to be the killer, but a boy — Peter, who was thought to be the twin that died at the beginning.
Moon-rock spiders (Apollo 18, 2011)
I love spiders, so much so that I have a pet tarantula myself. But still, little spiders or ones that are especially weird-looking still give me the creeps. These “spiders” have been attaching the crew of Apollo 18 since landing, and they won’t stop here. We don’t know what they consist of or where they come from, which adds to the fear level. What’s worse is their inhuman (duh) stampeding toward the remaining crew. I’m getting tingly just thinking about it!
Cleopatra’s transformation (Freaks, 1932)
While it may not be too shocking today, I can only imagine what the 1932 audience would have thought seeing the beautiful Cleopatra transformed into a bird lady at the end of Freaks. The design holds up pretty well almost 100 years later, and we’re left imagining what went on behind the scenes — things only fit for an operating room from Hostel, no doubt.
Pterodactyl in the Aviary (Jurassic Park 3, 2001)
Dinosaurs, fuck yeah! If you weren’t aware, pterosaurs (a group of winged dinosaurs) were mentioned in the Jurassic Park novel, but wouldn’t show up in the movies until the third installment. It’s honestly the only good thing about this one. As the group enters abandoned aviary building in the park, a Cearadactylus emerges from the heavy fog, towering over our protagonists. Such panic and unease from this ancient creature pales in comparison to its majesty. It’s the true meaning of beauty and the beast, a terrible wonder.
What is your favorite monster reveal? Let us know in the comments!
