Confession: I read my first horror novel at nine. And it was The Shining, by Stephen King. My daughter is now nine and while she loves to read Goosebumps, I believe I would draw the line before anything by Stephen King. But, I was an avid reader, there weren’t many books around, and my mom loves horror.
My point is that I cut my reading teeth on Stephen King. Now, though, I find horror books (and movies) to be too depressing. I prefer the happy endings in romance novels. But, I know that lots of people disagree about horror. Especially in October. I guess not watching scary movies in October is like not watching A Christmas Story in December–something I do faithfully.
So, from someone who is easily scared but knows a thing or two about horror, here are my top three favorite movie boogeymen.
1. Freddy Krueger
He’s scary. He is so freaking scary. The only way to be safe is not sleep. That is not only basically impossible, but will cause hallucinations after about three days. They even did an experiment in which they dropped a cat into a tub of water every time it entered REM (dream) sleep. The cat died. Granted, this is horrific in it’s own right and they’d never be allowed to conduct an experiement like this today, but we cannot not sleep.
And so, eventually, this baddy is going to get you.
2. Jason Vorhees
The unstoppable, malicious killer. Who cares if he was wronged in his life? There’s something so essentially frightening about someone who kills in cruelly inventive ways and will not be stopped. Not ever. Oh, you may be the one person who survives. But, come next movie… ice pick to the brain.
3. Chuckie
Another cruel little killer. Except not only will he kill all the people you love, he frames you for it and he wants to displace your soul and take over your body. And no one will believe you. I think that’s the scariest part of all. How awful would it be to try to warn someone you love that they’re in danger (or someone investigating you for murder) only to see them die?
Also, Jennifer Tilly is his doll bride. So much win there.
If you’ve never seen these movies, which took on epic proportion with sequels, I strongly suggest you check them out in the spookiest month of the year.
I would say Chuckie is by far the worse of those three. He still freaks me out. I can watch the other two and manage to not hide my eyes but not with Chuckie. He’s just too freaky! Another freaky one is Gabe from Pet Cemetery! Well their cat was rather scary as well but Gabe haunted my dreams for many years! “First I play with Judd, then mommy came, and I play with mommy. We play daddy, we had a awful good time! Now, I want to play with youuuuuu…..”
The fact that you remember that monologue makes it clear how much it stuck with you, lol. Agreed, Gage had serious scare factor.
I did have to Google the line but I knew which line it was, I wanted to quote it exactly. The way he said “you” is giving me goose bumps now just thinking about it… yoooooouuuuuuuuuu….
I like Halloween, but I am a wimp–I HATE scary movies. I never saw any of the Friday the 13th or Chuckie movies. I saw “Don’t Look Now” in college, over 25 years ago, and I still freak out every time I see a kid in a red raincoat. *shudder*
Ooh, boogeymen. Let’s talk IT. A big clown, voiced and played by Tim Curry. Also known as our Sweet Transvestite from Translyvania, who came back to play this horrifying clown. I can’t even look at Tim Curry when he smiles because of that clown. So I think Tim Curry may be the biggest boogeyman. Lol
Stephen King was my intro to horror as well, only it was Salem’s Lot. I’ve watched one Freddy, and one Jason at the urging of my adult kids.
Ack!! Can’t do them. Can’t afford the loss of sleep from nightmares. lol. Alas, I fall into the wimp category as well. 🙂
Salem’s Lot was my first Stephen King horror book. I thought it would be an easy gateaway. Lol I got scared.
I agree, Stephen King book villains are by far scarier, Sutton.
Landra- Salem’s Lot as an easy intro? I’m giving you a disbelief face. 😉
I’m so bad with the scary stuff. I’m such a wimp. 🙂