A round 2 of best reveals in monster history. Warning: spoilers ahead!
The Child (Rosemary’s Baby, 1968)
Alright so here it’s not so important what the baby looks like, but rather Rosemary’s reaction to seeing him. This is one of the best examples of pure horror I can think of. Shock, dismay, and maybe even a little disgust thrown in, Rosemary’s silent scream and frantic looks around the room can only hint at the abomination that is Satan’s child.
Kayako Saeki (The Grudge, 2004)
I loved how many of the scenes from the original Ju-on were recreated for this American remake. One scene is when Kayako’s ghost hovers over the older woman and stares directly into Sarah Michelle Gellar’s eyes. Kayako’s whispy black hair shoots back as if blown by a wind machine, and her eyes roll to center from inside her skull. Awesome!
John Kramer/Jigsaw (Saw, 2004)
On the same level of Twists as *insert any M. Night Shyamalan film,* Saw‘s ending was mind blowing. Knowing the man who orchestrated such a brutal and sadistic “game” had been lying there on the floor — alive — the entire time made the film all the more memorable.
Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Saw 3D, 2010)
And in the same breath, we can also congratulate Cary Elwes’ Dr. Lawrence on an even more jaw-dropping reveal from this infamously convoluted series. Our “winner” from the first installment did manage to survive. Not only that, but he joined Jigsaw in his plan of torturing people deemed not grateful to be alive. He was the master planner this entire time.
Slit-Mouth Woman (Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, 2008)
A lot of the time, imagining a monster is scarier than seeing one brought to life on screen. This time, the monster matches our imaginations. Famous real-life legend “Kuchisake-onna” makes an appearance with a Chelsea Grin that would give The Joker and Cheshire Cat a run for their money. Piercing eyes as well, her stare both entrances and terrifies. I know the trick to beating her, but I doubt I’d remember if I saw that in real life.
Whatever/whoever “It” is (It Follows, 2014)
We don’t necessarily see the “it” that’s following our protagonist Jay, but we do see the many forms it takes over. Yes, it’s frightening to see a giant man walking towards you, but it’s even scarier seeing a sweet old lady, or an unassuming college student, or a friend. That’s the problem; it can be everyone and no one all at once. You are never safe.
Pale Lady (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, 2019)
The Pale Lady isn’t overtly scary; she’s a pudgy, frumpy figure walking slowly towards you with arms outstretched, as if gesturing for a hug. But she’s unsettling. Creepy. Nightmarish. She seems non-threatening, but we don’t truly know what happens after she envelops us in her grasp.
Pale Man (Pan’s Labyrinth, 2006)
Y’all, fuck this guy. Whether you’ve seen the masterpiece that is Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth or not, you know this monster. Played by the fantastic creature/monster actor Doug Jones, the Pale Man is a pile of wrinkly, drooping skin and bones, with long spindly fingers and almost nothing where his face should be. His eyes are in his hands, which somehow makes it easier for him to see you, find you, and kill you. Nope. Na-uh. No thank you.
Fear Street villains (Fear Street trilogy, 2021)
The Fear Street trilogy single-handedly kept me alive during the summer of 2021. The story is great, but the real stars are the monsters. Skull Mask. Camp Nightwing Killer. Ruby Lane. The Milkman Killer. Billy Barker. They are clearly homages to other fictional and factual beings, but they all feel fresh, new, and fun. Each time they come on screen is a burst of excitement.
Eldritch Terrors (The Mist, 2007)
If we ever open a portal and these creatures come out, kill me please. While not necessarily Eldritch Terrors (aka Eldritch Horrors, Lovecraftian Horrors, or Eldritch Abominations), they are definitely Lovecraftian in that they are supernatural and cosmic beings that are hard, if at all possible, for humankind to comprehend. And though these aren’t as other-worldly as, say, Cthulhu or the Color Out of Space, they are monstrous indeed. The more we see them on screen, the crazier they get, both in size and in scare factor.
Masked Killers (Cabin in the Woods, 2011)
Of course Cabin in the Woods has one of the most badass monster scenes in horror taking place in a small hallway of elevators, but one of those types of monsters sticks out to me above all: the masked, Strangers-style killers. The slowly and patiently walk out of their elevator cube and go on cutting up everyone in sight. You can tell they love it even though their faces are obscured by those porcelain masks. It’s the calmness that gives me chills.
Easter Jesus Bunny (“Easter,” Holidays, 2016)
Oh lawd the blasphemy is delicious in this one! I love anthologies, and this was the perfect little Peep of an Easter horror segment. If you’ve ever wondered what Jesus has to do with the Easter Bunny, look no further and feast your eyes on this monstrosity. A jarring image of a humanoid rabbit wearing a thorn crown and offering an egg is just wrong on so many levels. I love it.
What’s your favorite monster reveal? Let us know in the comments! Missed part 1? Read it here.
