While the fall of 2022 has given horror fans some frightening villains, like The Mother inBarbarian,there’s nothing quite like the killer in a film with teenage characters. Since these high schoolers are going through the motions of their dramatic daily lives, it’s even more memorable when a scary element is introduced like a slasher villain hell-bent on revenge.
From one of the most iconic villains in a popular franchise to a character who spoofs these types of killers, there are many villains from teen horror movies who stick out from the crowd and deserve credit for scaring and entertaining fans.
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Ghostface (Scream, 1996)
Since the firstScreammovie is set during Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) high school years, the first two Ghostface killers are definitely excellent teen horror movie villains.Stu Macher is the best Ghostfacebecause Matthew Lillard’s character is so silly, funny, and a good example of how theScreamfranchise has a sense of humor throughout. It makes perfect sense that Stu would team up with his friend Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) and be part of Billy’s plan to get revenge on Sidney because Billy’s dad had an affair with Sidney’s mom Maureen.
Whileeach Ghostface killer inScreamis compelling, the villain has the most impact in the 1996 movie since this is the first time that horror fans see them. Ghostface’s black cape and white mask, which is inspired by Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream,” have become so closely associated with the horror genre that it’s. hard to overstate their importance.
The Aliens (The Faculty, 1998)
The Facultyis anunderappreciated ’90s horror moviewhere the villains are teachers who turn into aliens. What’s so fascinating about these aliens is that they live underwater, which makes them feel like a science experiment gone wrong.
Kevin Williamson wroteScreamandThe Faculty, so the two movies share his memorable writing style which always puts characters before any terror. What makes the aliens even scarier and more compelling is that the students who they are targeting are “misfits” who don’t necessarily want to fit in but who are still having a difficult time in high school. That gives this movie a relatable element, despite the fact that aliens are taking over a school setting.
Brenda Bates (Urban Legend, 1998)
Theurban legends in the 1998 horror movieare so memorable, from “The babysitter and the man upstairs” to a man with a hook waiting outside a car, that the film’s villain might pale in comparison. Still, Brenda Bates (Rebecca Gayheart) is a great killer since she flies under the radar throughout the movie. Brenda is best friends with the main character Natalie Simon (Alicia Witt), which allows her to hide in plain sight and seem like an unlikely contender.
When Brenda is revealed as the one behind the murders as she has been copying these famous “true” stories that “happened to a friend of a friend of mine,” it’s definitely a surprise. Sure, Brenda isn’t thesmartest horror movie villainand she doesn’t have a cool costume or mask. She still stands out among other ’90s villains since her big reveal is somewhat shocking.
Jerry Dandrige (Fright Night, 2011)
2011’sFright Nightis one of thebest horror movie remakesand tells a strong story of Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) dealing with dating and family and other typical high school topics. While Charley is an excellenthorror movie main character, the film’s villain, vampire Jerry Dandrige (Colin Farrell), stands out as well.
Fright Nightis anunderrated vampire movieand Jerry is terrifying since he lives next door to Charley and tries to seduce his mom Jane (Toni Collette). Charley races to ensure that the people in his life understand what he’s telling them, but while his journey is exciting to follow, Jerry is an unforgettable villain who has a perfectly chilling smile. Since Jerry is so charming, it feels like he gets whatever he wants, which makes him even scarier.
Billy Murphy (The Final Girls, 2015)
Billy Murphy (Daniel Norris) is the villain of the brilliant and hilarious 2015 filmThe Final Girlsand he’s a take on classic slasher villains like Jason Voorhees. Billy was bullied when he was younger and now he’s out for revenge in the ’80s horror movieCamp Bloodbath.Since Billy goes on a killing spree at a camp, his presence allowsThe Final Girlsto poke fun at Jason.
Billy’s mask looks much sillier thanJason Voorhee’sFriday the 13thhockey masks, which is likely on purpose since he’s not supposed to be scary. Billy’s background is also a commentary on how often slasher villains, especially those in teen movies, are getting revenge because people were mean to them in the past.
