Board 8 > Snake Ranks Anything Horror Related Vol. 3 *RANKINGS*

(+) Yeah! (+)

I also wanna quickly share two of my favorite Marble Hornets videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q3cQjeerNU" data-time="

This is a great instance of "Where's Waldo" horror - the first time I saw it I didn't even notice anything unusual. It really sets up Slenderman as this lurking entity and gets you to pay close attention to the background the rest of the series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw78k0dldHI" data-time="

This is basically just a clip from the short film, "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" (based on a short story of the same name), but the effects on it are pretty freaky, and the dialogue fits in perfectly with the Slenderman story. It also prompted me to check out the source material, which is good in its own right: dark and melancholic, with themes of isolation and derealization.
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biggest modern and notable (last 10 years or so) horror creatures/icons imo
The Babadook
Cloverfield Monster
Weeping Angels
The Cabin in the Woods (I see people mention Fornicus but really the whole Cabin is an icon I think)
Big Daddys
Slenderman
Freddy Fazbear

Might still have a significant impact down the line:
Bugul
It (It Follows)
Black Phillip
Eli (Let the Right One In)
Kevin Wendell Crumb (Split)
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Aren't the Weeping angels technically before the 2010's because of the original appearance in Dr. Who.
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If we're doing the last 10 years only I think the Human Centipede has got to be somewhere on that list.
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5tarscream posted...

Aren't the Weeping angels technically before the 2010's because of the original appearance in Dr. Who.

first appearance was 2007 technically, same as Big Daddys

both are just outside of 10 years ago but I included them anyway

Snake5555555555 posted...

If we're doing the last 10 years only I think the Human Centipede has got to be somewhere on that list.

Would you consider the icon to be Dr. Josef Heiter or the centipede itself?

because Heiter's obviously the antagonist and probably the only character whose name can be remembered, but the centipede itself is definitely what people think of
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Definitely the Centipede imo. They could go hand-in-hand like Victor and his creature though.
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Are smart zombies more scarier?
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welp I never thought I'd hear the human centipede compared to Frankenstein

Tom Six should be proud
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Pirate_Harris posted...

Are smart zombies more scarier?

probably depends on the scenario

personally I think zombie fear works best when done in terms of raw numbers

the feeling of being entirely surrounded by creatures with no fear and no self-preservation, who are mindless but it doesn't matter because outsmarting them couldn't help anyway, where it's you against hundreds and just a single bite is all they need
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Johnbobb posted...

Pirate_Harris posted...

Are smart zombies more scarier?

probably depends on the scenario

personally I think zombie fear works best when done in terms of raw numbers

the feeling of being entirely surrounded by creatures with no fear and no self-preservation, who are mindless but it doesn't matter because outsmarting them couldn't help anyway, where it's you against hundreds and just a single bite is all they need

I agree. I reread World War Z last month and it's still pretty darn awesome. I hear they're making a sequel movie. Who knows, maybe it's more true to book and not so actionized.

The mental image of hundreds of millions zombies herding on the continental US is a terrifying mental image.
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Johnbobb posted...

yeah how the hell did the conjuring get two separate spinoff origin stories while nothing from the basement in cabin in the woods got their own

Not that I'd even necessarily want that because it might take away from the original a bit but if I had to choose

The obvious explanation is that it's Hollywood we're talking about, so they're seeking the quick and easy money.

Also, I've been lurking, and this has been a great ranking to read so far, even though I have very little or no experience with most of these things.

Oh wow I had no idea about the Slender Man stabbings that's seriously fucked up.

Also I saw Slender Man in theaters and it's easily the worst movie I saw this year, you have a character who has an incredibly simple design that still manages to be incredibly unnerving, but they didn't use it at all. Instead of making the character real in the context of the story, they ran with the Internet urban legend route which doesnt work because most studios have little to no understanding of how Internet culture.
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18. The Most Dangerous Game (Short story) (25 points)
Nominated by: trdl23 (1/5 remaining)
https://archive.org/stream/TheMostDangerousGame_129/danger.txt

Importance: 9.5
Fear: 6.5
Snake: 9

Like many I'm sure, I first read this great short story in high school, even though it was not part of the class. I remember the story captivating me, as both a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse and as a thought piece of the natures of man. The story starts out simply, on a ship, as two hunters, Rainsford and Whitney, pass by an island with a bad reputation. The two discuss the merits and philosophies of hunting; Rainsford is notably uncaring towards his prey, and suggests they feel nothing while they are being hunted. Whitney however think the prey does indeed feel one thing: fear. This conversation colors the story early on, as the meat of the story quickly gets underway. Rainsford falls overboard after hearing pistol shots, and swims to the cursed island, where he meats General Zaroff, a surprising fan of Rainsford and one loves one thing and one thing only: the hunt. As an aside, I love the way Zaroff's smile is described here: "...showed red lips and pointed teeth", very sinister and deliberately animal-like. Over dinner, the two get to chatting about the biggest game; Rainsford suggests it's the Cape buffalo, but Zaroff plays coy and keeps implying there's a game bigger than the buffalo. After avoiding the answer long enough, Rainsford is able to deduce what Zaroff really means. Rainsford compares the hunting of humans to murder, which he sees as different to the hunting of animals. I'm sure many readers would equate hunting and murder as one and the same, and of course, there's where a lot of the thoughtful discussion comes into play here. Both men are intricate contradictions. Zaroff comes off as a gentlemen and extremely civilized man on an untamed island complete separate from society, which is the only place he's able to fulfill his base desires. Rainsford on the other hand, feels the fear in being the hunted for once in his life, for which he once so carelessly tossed aside as a silly notion. Zaroff and Rainsford each reveal new things about the other in a circular pattern. Zaroff is proven to be inferior due to Rainsford beating him despite the general's limitless resources, but it's Rainsford who has no choice but to play into Zaroff's game to secure his survival and learn a few things about the nature of hunting in the process. In the end, "the most dangerous game" is a rather unwinnable game, but it's also one where we learn a lot about ourselves in the process, and that type of discovery is always invaluable.
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17. Outlast 2 (game) (25 points)
Nominated by: V_charon (0/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTM2655BA6U" data-time="

Importance: 5.5
Fear: 9.5
Snake: 10

Outlast 2 is a perfect sequel, ranked right up there with the likes of Dead Space 2, Fatal Frame II, Resident Evil 2, and yes, even Silent Hill 2. The first game was a terrifying, mentally exhausting, and claustrophobic jaunt through a hellish mental asylum, but Outlast 2 ups the stakes with a much more personal story this time around, covering taboo topics such as religious extremism, rape, child sexual abuse, suicide, and infanticide. In addition to these, Outlast 2 doesn't fix what isn't broken, instead refining the mechanics of the first game to the service of immersion and flow, never breaking from the protagonist's perspective. Of course, one of the best parts of the original Outlast were the pursuers, and Outlast 2 doesn't fail to deliver here either. The game's star is definitely Marta, a religious executioner who carries a huge pickaxe cross, who can often be heard uttering gospel quotes under her breath and will make even the game's standard cultist enemies scatter in her wake. The pair of Nick and Laird are two more memorable baddies, especially thanks to their sickly, grotesque appearances and maligned and blind following of their faith despite their status as outcasts.

The story follows Blake Langermann, a professional cameraman heading with his wife Lynn to a remote part of Arizona to further investigate the death of a young, pregnant girl. Of course, things go to shit quickly, as their helicopter crash lands and Blake and Lynn become separated. It's evident early on Blake is already suffering from some sort of trauma that happened back in high school, and the game switches often between Arizona and flashback sections detailing Blake's past in a psychologically twisted way. These school sections, while subdued compared to the main storyline, often ended up being my favorite parts due to their clever use of scares and stomach-churning subtext. I don't want to spoil what happens here, but trust me when I say it's extremely fucked-up. And that's really how a majority of the game is: it makes you feel horrible for even talking about all the terrible situations you end up in throughout the experience. This is truly one of the most depraved adventures into the mind, so much so that you feel like your mental state is deteriorating right along with Blake's. However, much like Blake, it's often a journey you're willing to take, both to see what horrifying situation the game is going to throw at you next, and to prove that you have what it takes to survive despite the insurmountable odds.
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16. Halloween (Holiday) (25 points)
Nominated by: Inviso (1/6 remaining)


Importance: 10
Fear: 5
Snake: 10

Halloween is an awesome holiday, obviously. This ranking is proof enough of that. I tell you, I'm still a little bit in a post-Halloween funk. It's the perfect time for horror fans to indulge in movie marathons, late-night horror game sessions, and going all out in decorating. Modern Halloween has its roots in several areas, but comes mainly from Gaelic festival Samhain, meaning "summer's end", marking the end of Harvest season and signifying a weakening gap between the worlds of the living and of the dead. Also established were modern day ubiquities such as apple bobbing, dressing up in disguise and going door-to-door performing for food (known as mumming or guising then), and by the 19th century, lanterns were made out of things like turnips to ward off evil spirits, eventually becoming the jack-o-lanterns we see today. It switched over to pumpkins due to North American immigrants preferring their softness and larger shape. Association with horror was nearly always present due to the spirits association, but it was the advent of huge Gothic hits like Dracula and Frankenstein that really made it as prevalent as it is today. Halloween is celebrated worldwide and each culture has their own unique take on it. One notable variation includes Mexico's "Da de los Muertos", or Day of the Dead, which takes place over three days, paralleling the Christian tradition of Allhallowtide. Celebrating Day of the Dead traditionally involves setting up altars for deceased loved ones, and sugar skulls are a common icon used to represent the holiday. I think it's pretty cool that Halloween hasn't really changed too much since its inception. Sure, maybe the original messages get muddled in translation, but the intent remains the same. Halloween has always held a special place in my heart, and I like that it means different things as you get older, giving you a reason to always celebrate the holiday, no matter how you see fit.
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15. Saw (film) (25.5 points)
Nominated by: GANON1025 (1/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-1QgOMQ-ls" data-time="

Importance: 10
Fear: 8
Snake: 7.5

The original Saw was a landmark film in many ways. It gave us the now bonafide horror icon Jigsaw and his puppet Billy, the memetic phrase "I want to play a game", put James Wan on the map, and established a benchmark for a new wave of horror that became known as "torture porn", used both affectionately and to criticize the genre (and really just a more extreme version of the splatter film). Despite the moniker though, the original Saw is simple and laid-back compared to the sequels and copycats that would follow. The film plays more like a psychological mystery, with a flashback spider-web structure that would make Tarantino green with envy. Most of the film takes place in a bathroom, with two men, Adam Stanheight and Dr. Lawrence Gordon, each chained by the feet on opposite sides, with a deceased man in between them. The structure here feels more like a "game" than some of Jigsaw's future endeavors, as it's set up practically like a point-and-click 90s adventure game with a very deliberate and even obtainable win state for one of the men, and I like that each of their objectives are lop-sided, as Adam's goal is to merely escape while Gordon's is to kill Adam. It raises the stakes considerably and makes things tense as hell. There's also a background story involving two detectives and an orderly at Gordon's hospital, and they eventually intersect with the main plot in a satisfying way. I still remember to this day being absolutely shocked by the ending, as it's actually really hard to see coming in my opinion. Taken away from its series, Saw is a great stand-alone film where the craziest it ever gets is the "reverse bear trap" on Amanda Young. No Saw sequel would ever get as tense as this in my opinion, preferring red-shirt characters and elaborate traps to a compelling storyline, and that's a crying shame. I can certainly see the appeal in those as decent slashers, but it's the straight-forwardness of this original film that I think really stuck a perfect balance between gore and a little dash of smartness.
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I think the original and Saw II are both excellent for different reasons, and I've actually shuffled back and forth between them as to which I like more

I ultimately landed on II being my favorite for Tobin Bell's terrifying portrayal of John Kramer being front and center, in addition to the way it presents the house as a sort of evil labyrinth (which ended up being the go-to structure for later sequels but done to less effect) but the original is still a great escape room-type psychological horror
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14. Hannibal Lecter (character) (25.5 points)
Nominated by: Xeybozn (1/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8jKn7sMwU" data-time="

Importance: 9.5
Fear: 8
Snake: 8

Everybody's favorite cannibal, Hannibal Lecter originates from the novel Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. Lecter is introduced as a brilliant psychiatrist and valuable asset to FBI profiler Will Graham, the only problem, Lecter has an affinity for the consumption of human flesh. Hannibal has been adapted to various screen portrayals over the years, but it was Anthony Hopkins' award-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs that everyone knows and mimics. Hopkins' Lecter exudes a charming, affable rapport opposite Jodie Foster's Clarice. Their relationship serves as a cyclic symbiosis for the other, and is an absolute cornerstone of the film. Though Buffalo Bill may serve as the "main" antagonist, it's Lecter that's really the villainous force pervading the film, manipulating Clarice and his captors to make his escape. Even though it's Lecter who's locked-up, he holds all the power and the bargaining chips, which puts him into a dangerous position for others to deal with. I love the way Hopkins articulates his facial emotions ever so subtly, and the repulsive way Lecter partakes in his unsavory cannibalistic tendencies. You could fine-tooth comb every frame of every scene Lecter is in and come away with something new every time.

In addition to Hopkins though, Mads Mikkelsen makes a fine attempt at grabbing the Lecter crown. Hannibal serves a terrific retooling of the character, establishing a near romantic relationship with Will Graham and the first season even gets viewers growing a fondess for Lecter before pulling the rug underneath us by boosting his depraved and duplicitous personality. I think often that's the main power of Hannibal Lecter. His capability of manipulation is not prevented by the borders of fiction, and he can even straddle the line of villain and hero in ways you would never expect. Beyond the cannibalism, I think this is what makes Hannibal as memorable and scary as he is; in one moment, you're having dinner with Lecter, and then the next... well, you can probably finish that thought.
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13. Hellraiser (film) (25.5 points)
Nominated by: GANON1025 (0/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkx3pd5ULJs" data-time="

Importance: 8.5
Fear: 8
Snake: 9

From the mind of Clive Barker, Hellraiser is an incredible work of horror, introducing us to the cult icon Pinhead and providing some of the best body horror work in the business. I think the best thing about Hellraiser is how much of a background player Pinhead really is. The story here is really about Frank Cotton, who buys a mysterious puzzle box after having exhausted all the carnal pleasures of the material world. The film opens strongly with a top 5 body horror scene, as Frank is ripped apart by hooks and flesh chunks of his former self pepper the room as Pinhead makes his debut. Eventually, Frank's brother Larry moves into Frank's house with his wife Julia (who had an affair with Frank sometime before the film's events). Larry cuts himself, and his blood drips in the attic where Frank was ripped apart, triggering Frank's resurrection. Frank leverages his former affair with Julia, asking her to get him victims' blood to feed on so he can restore his former self. This is a great set-up that allows for some of the sickest parts of the film, and the make-up on Frank's various fleshy forms is well-done. Frank serves as the main antagonist of the film, while Julia's daughter Kirsty serves as the protagonist after walking in on one of Frank's feeding sessions. Kirsty manages to solve the box and strikes a deal with Pinhead (and some other excellently designed Cenobites I might add) to re-imprison Frank in exchange for her own freedom. I love the characterization of Pinhead in these scenes, Doug Bradley has such a quiet, disciplined way with the character that gives off a sense of longing and eternal pain while still being threatening and not someon to trifle with. Frank proves himself a true psychopath and perhaps even more villainous than Pinhead, as he kills Kirsty's father, puts on his skin, tries to sexually assault Kirsty (in her father's skin I might add), and even kills his fling Julia without a hint of remorse. Though the Cenobites would go on to break their deal, Kirsty has enough gusto and smarts to reverse-solve the puzzle box and send the demons back to where they came from. Hellraiser isn't really a slasher, and Kirsty isn't really a final girl, but the intent is similar and her motivation, intelligence, and determination are compelling and make her a strong protagonist.

Hellraiser received polarizing reviews upon its release, most famously described by Roger Ebert as a "bankruptcy of imagination". It's well-regarded now, and I don't think there's anything quite like it out there. It has great acting and even better character work, subtle when it needs to be but isn't afraid to shove the body horror right up in your face with the various forms of Frank and his feeding scenes. Hellraiser is absolutely essential horror viewing, and by the time it really gets going, it will have its "hooks" in you for sure!
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12. Black Holes (26 points)
Nominated by: handsomeboy2012 (1/5 remaining)


Importance: 10
Fear: 8
Snake: 8

Now I'm no physicist or astronomer or scientist or anything like that, but it doesn't take a brainiac to see getting sucked into a black hole would not be a very pleasant time for anybody. Best case, maybe you live through the process and are now in an alien universe with no way of returning home; worst case, your atoms get painfully burnt up one by one until you are nothing. A black hole is the ultimate horror villain on a cosmic scale: an unstoppable juggernaut destroying all it surveys, even light isn't safe. It's also completely unobservable aside from the effects it causes, at it does not reflect light whatsoever. Much of what we know about black holes is based on theory, so there's a still a lot of mystery left to unpack regarding the phenomenon. It's just as fascinating as it is scary, and on Earth it is quite unlikely we would ever run into one, despite their dense presence at the center of our galaxy. However, we are still able to feel the effects of their feasts, mainly seen in the heating of gas and interstellar material which could prevent the forming of new stars or heat-up planets to dangerous levels. In the end, black holes are just another in the long line of things in space trying to kill us, but an interesting one nonetheless. Probably one of the most well-known uses of a black hole in horror fiction is in the film Event Horizon, where the titular ship creates an artificial black hole which ends up being a gateway to hell. Outside of horror, the black hole is featured immensely in many sci-fi short stories and film. It's all part of the fear and fun of predicting what a black hole could do to us if we passed through one, and pretty much anything be possible, which makes the black hole a perhaps under-appreciated icon of cosmic horror.
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you wouldn't ever actually get sucked into the black hole. time dilates as you sink further into a gravitational well, and as you approach the event horizon time would appear to dilate to infinity from the perspective of a free observer. the black hole would evaporate before anything ever actually falls in
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Oh wow, that's even more intense!
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11. Existential Dread (26 points)
Nominated by: Johnbobb (0/6 remaining)


Importance: 10
Fear: 8
Snake: 8

Human life is fragile. There are a million daily ways that our existence could be wiped out in the blink of an eye. Add on top of that, we as individuals can sometimes struggle to find a point or reason to it all, to keep getting up in the morning and throwing ourselves at our daily routines and jobs and responsibilities without drowning in the mundanity of it all. Then, when the struggle becomes too much to bear, we face those said possibilities and think there's nothing holding me back from say, taking a step off our roof ledge or slitting our wrists with a kitchen knife. This is existentialist dread at its finest, a dark and pessimistic state of hopelessness and despair that we should hope never overtakes us fully. It take place at the intersection of Lovecraft and the Twilight Zone, standing precariously on the edge of the shadow and unknown, and knowing full well we have the personal freedom to press on. It's a scary concept that provides anxiety to many daily, and it is widely philosophized about. Personally, I find it almost comforting. I think that level of freedom doesn't have to lead to such a bad end; I think it opens a whole load of possibilities and opens roads for us even beyond our wildest imaginations. I remain ever hopeful we can turn our dread and anxiety to something positive, and the universe's indifference to us means we always have a chance to rebel and make our own fates.
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That leads us into the top 10! It's time for a final nomination update. Congrats to Tangy for being the only one with two noms in the top 10.

Pirate_Harris (1/5)
Candyman (Candyman)

Xeybozn (1/5)
Freaks (film)

Anagram (1/6)
Frankenstein's Monster (Frankenstein)

Inviso (1/6)
Stephen King

BetrayedTangy (2/5)
The Strangers (film)
Outlast (video game)

trdl23 (1/5)
Get Out (2017 film)

Nathalmighty1 (1/4)
Closed Insane Asylum (General Concept)

jcgamer107 (1/5)
The death of Elisa Lam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Elisa_Lam

handsomeboy2012 (1/5)
1984

ihatethisCPU (0/5)

GANON1025 (0/5)

Axl_Rose_85 (0/5)

scarletspeed7 (0/5)

Pirateking2000 (0/6)

Johnbobb (0/6)

Shonen_Bat (0/5)

Great_Paul (0/4)

NFUN (0/6)

Wicklebee (0/5)

PumpkinCoach (0/3)

V_charon (0/5)
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gah just barely missed the top 10
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Snake5555555555 posted...

It's a scary concept that provides anxiety to many daily

*raises hand*
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10. The Strangers (film) (26 points)
Nominated by: BetrayedTangy (1/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKGiF5m-FNY" data-time="

Importance: 8
Fear: 9
Snake: 9

In quintessential home invasion film The Strangers, a not-quite married couple is attacked by a chaotic force in the form of three masked individuals. They don't have names, their identities are never revealed, they don't have any connection to the main characters, they are evil for evil's sake. I imagine this film to be pure paranoia fuel for people who live isolated or alone. The way The Strangers move around the house undetected initially is incredibly scary, and while there's a few jumps, much of The Stranger's fear factor builds up that idea of an antagonistic presence violating the place where you're supposed to be safe. The Strangers is extremely minimalist and quiet in its design, and even a failed marriage proposal from James to Kristen hangs over the carnage and makes the events only that much sadder. There's a whole 10-minute section that's almost completely silent, and it builds up tension wonderfully. It's a ruthless shattering of idealistic living and the illusion of security. It's also a realistic story inspired by many real life events, including the director's personal experiences as a child. It's a film that's straight-forward, and ultimately, about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There's no tongue-in-cheek satire here, no fourth wall-breaks, there's not really even a deeper meaning than what is presented (though it could be a worth a dig nonetheless). After all, I've always found the scariest part of this film to be how the Strangers merely walk out on their assault by the end, punctuating the meaninglessness of it all. Life goes on, and the Strangers are free to move on their next hapless victim, "because they were home", and there's ultimately nothing to prevent it. There is still no safety, and there's almost nothing scarier than that.
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9. Freaks (film) (26 points)
Nominated by: Xeybozn (0/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39Bnk6VU53Y" data-time="

Importance: 9
Fear: 8
Snake: 9

A controversial film for its time, Freaks starred real carnival sideshow performers and was originally a much longer film before disastrous test screenings featuring shocking scenes forced to film to lose a third of its footage, which has now been lost to time. It was considered exploitative and morally bankrupt, but deep down, Freaks has a lot of heart to it. The point of the film after all is to show that the "normal" members of the carnival are really the heartless, uncaring freaks, whereas the sideshow performers have a strong sense of camaraderie, community, and humanity and are more than just their deformities. It doesn't really become a horror movie until the climax, and is instead majorly driven be drama, romance, and betrayal. Cleopatra, a trapeze artist and beauty queen, manipulates Hans, a dwarf with a large inheritance coming his way, into marriage, and the freaks even try to initiate Cleopatra as an official member of their group, but she gets frightened by the ritual and spills the beans about cheating on Hans with strongman Hercules. Hans plots revenge with his fellow freaks; it is satisfying to see Cleopatra and Hercules get their just desserts, in one of the most memorable and definitely the scariest part of the film, even as neutered as it were. The studio-mandated ending does show however Hans regretted the revenge and tried to stop the plot, which I think serves the film's message well. At a brisk hour, Freaks is one of the most unique films you'll ever see, as time was kind to this tale of true ugliness, the type that only lives on the inside and rears its head whenever an opportune moment arises.
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8. Frankenstein's Monster (Frankenstein) (26.5 points)
Nominated by: Anagram (0/6 remaining)
https://imgur.com/gallery/I9lI3Yh

Importance: 10
Fear: 8
Snake: 8.5

Some might say he's the original horror monster. Sure, there's always been folklore over vampires, werewolves, demons, and devils, but this creature given life from the pursuit of hubris and ambition is arguably the first to be tangible, well-known, and widely adapted. In the novel, the monster is considered grotesque and hideous, yet contrary to many future portrayals, articulate, emotional, and even a quick learner. It's also important to note that he's never called a "monster" but what he's called instead feels worse, ranging "thing" to "wretch"; he's most commonly referred to as "the creature" in many literary discussions however. Intriguingly he names himself Adam, thus comparing his creator Victor to God. The story of the creature is one of tragedy, and he fluctuates constantly between hero and villain, taking lives but only out of necessity and for survival's sake. The creature tries to find a family of his own but every time he's driven out by the hateful humans who just don't understand him. He eventually seeks revenge on Frankenstein, but upon discovering of his creator's perishing, vows to destroy himself. The story of the creature is relatable, and we all go through similar journeys in our own life and it doesn't always end happily either.

Easily the most recognizable version of the creature ever is Boris Karloff's magnificent performance, in 1931's Frankenstein, directed by James Whale. This performance gave us the classic image of the monster (and really credited here as "the monster" by the way), with an all black ensemble, cobbled together from various body parts and brought to life with electricity, janky, uncoordinated movement, very little speech capabilities, bolts in the neck, and a tendency for violence (due to the use of an abnormal brain). This performance is the one nearly every adaptation since mimics in some way or another, and has been oft parodied, most famously in Young Frankenstein. There's practically no other visage as iconic in horror as Karloff's monster. However, there's one portrayal superior to Karloff: Rory Kinnear in Penny Dreadful, which nails the melancholy and intelligence of Shelley's original creation. It's essential viewing for fans of the creature and the original story.

Whatever your preferred portrayal is, there's no denying the creature's place in pop culture history. Nearly every sci-fi monster since is indebted to Mary Shelley and her famous creation, and like I've reiterated several times, it's the type of horror that's able to bring us much in touch with our own humanity.
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But what do you think of the monster's portrayal in the fantastic I, Frankenstein where he looks like a normal person and rides the subway?
https://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/2013/10/frankenstein_a.jpg
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Anagram posted...

But what do you think of the monster's portrayal in the fantastic I, Frankenstein where he looks like a normal person and rides the subway?
https://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/2013/10/frankenstein_a.jpg

"lol"
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Snake5555555555 posted...

taking lives but only out of necessity and for survival's sake.

what about those people he killed neither out of necessity nor for survival's sake
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Honestly it's been awhile since I read the book so it's possible I overlooked that.
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he killed frankenstein's cousin/love interest (IIRC) and aunt just for revenge which drove like half the plot
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NFUN posted...

he killed frankenstein's cousin/love interest (IIRC) and aunt just for revenge which drove like half the plot

Not to mention his brother, and framed a family friend for the death so she'd be executed
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Now rate Fate's version of Frankenstein.
https://lohas.nicoseiga.jp/thumb/6894924i?1500738293
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WickIebee posted...

Now rate Fate's version of Frankenstein.
https://lohas.nicoseiga.jp/thumb/6894924i?1500738293

So horrifying.
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It's also possible to see the monster as a social commentary of the time because Shelley was particularly interested on Erasmus Darwin's work on galvanisation. I think it was refernced in the preface of something it's been awhile since I finished university.
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7. Closed Insane Asylum (General Concept) (26.5 points)
Nominated by: Nathalmighty1 (0/4 remaining)
https://imgur.com/gallery/KxQPkvN

Importance: 8.5
Fear: 9
Snake: 9

Closed asylums are usually amongst my favorite locations across the entire spectrum of horror mediums. Often used to mistreat patients, either through twisted experiments or mental torture, the walls of closed mental asylums often have the most interesting stories to tell and are just as tragic as they are terrifying. Closed asylums in fiction of course have their roots in many closed hospitals around the world; some are legendary for their wild, unethical mistreatment of certain patients (which sometimes included children) or extreme practices that would be highly looked down upon in modern times. One of the most famous real-life examples is Danvers State Hospital, located in Massachusetts. It was the inspiration for H.P. Lovecraft's Arkham Asylum and a small section was used to film the horror movie Session 9. Danvers was notable for its extreme overcrowding, and sometimes patients would die and not be discovered until several days after because of this.

Closed asylums have often provided some of the most memorable locations for horror movies and games alike. My favorite is easily Brookhaven Hospital from Silent Hill 2 and Silent Hill 3. With many floors to explore, and tight hallways to navigate through, and in my opinion the scariest non-Pyramid Head enemies in the game (the Bubble Head Nurses), the trek through Brookhaven is atmospheric as hell. Of course, Team Silent's incredible attention to detail is absolutely present here, and each new room and file tells a different story of terror and mistreatment, like how the nurses were cruel even before they were corrupted by the town. I think Brookhaven is made even scarier in SH3; for one, it has the infamous "Mirror Room" and you explore some formerly sanctioned off areas that have this grimy, fleshy color and tone to them that makes running through the hallways a break-taking experience. It also features the story of Stanley Coleman, my favorite example of file-storytelling ever. He appears to be stalking Heather throughout the hospital, leaving her dolls (described by Heather as "disgusting") and and notes detailing an unhealthy obsession with her.

One of my other favorites has to be Mount Massive in Outlast, a sprawling complex that's definitely not as abandoned as it looks from the outside. It's the type of asylum where the patients rule the roost, and as you explore the hellish place, you will find lunatics just staring blankly at static TV screens, naked knife-wielding twin psychos that closed in on your position from both sides, and then you have the beings known as Variants, like Chris Walker, who's big, strong, and fast and will not make your day a pleasant one.

While not explicitly closed, Arkham Asylum in the Batman game of the same name might as well be during its events. Dead doctors and security guards often line its hallways with a group of inmates or a psychotic villain not too far behind. Thief: Deadly Shadows' Shalebridge Cradle famously turns the experience from a stealth game to a survival horror game and is widely considered and analyzed as one of the most well-designed and scariest levels ever included in a video game.

Some great movie asylums include the aforementioned Danvers in Session 9, which tells a spiraling psychological story within its walls, and Collingwood in Grave Encounters, a surprisingly well-crafted found footage film that has no right being as good as it is.

Closed asylums are breeding grounds for some of the scariest stories you can ever tell. You can go super-twisted, or tell a more touching story that reflects the mistakes of our past and how we can learn going forward. Closed asylums simply nail some of the best parts of horror for me: environmental story-telling, atmosphere, and a creepiness that pervades the entire place.
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where would you rank "Abandoned amusement park" among the typical "closed/abandoned thing" settings?
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Gut feeling says top 2 location honestly!
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I ask because there is an actual abandoned amusement park about an hour from where I live

and to make it even scarier it is an amusement park I regularly went to as a kid







that last picture was a big water slide. It was one of the most popular rides there and my personal favorite

now it's been closed for 13 years and is gated off on private property
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6. Get Out (2017 film) (26.5 points)
Nominated by: trdl23 (0/5 remaining)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzfpyUB60YY" data-time="

Importance: 8
Fear: 8.5
Snake: 10

In what will surely go down as an absolute horror gem in the years to come, Get Out is a masterclass of subtext, subtle horror, satire, and ingenious character moments. Very few debut directors command the audience as well Jordan Peele, and yeah he's well-established, but writing and directing are two very different things. Everything in Get Out is in service to the story and its themes. It subverts everything you think you know about how horror movies work, how film in general works, and how gender and racial roles usually inform the plot. Chris and his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage, are heading to her parent's house so Chris can meet her parents for the first time. Rose on the surface is the perfect, understanding girlfriend, but all the while she's gaslighting Chris completely, as she functions more like an analogue of the "great white hunter", except substituting big game with black athletes. This is foreshadowed brilliantly in her hitting of a deer near the beginning of the film."

One of the best characters in the movie is Bradley Whitford as Dean Armitage, who is anything but subtle when trying to get acquainted with Chris, making his appreciation for African-Americans loud, apparent, and obvious in a way that absolutely comes off as insincere and disingenuous. I feel an underappreciated character is Caleb Landry Jones as Jeremy Armitage, who holds no pretense like his father, he's a lot more honest and off-the-cuff about his racism towards Chris. The black celebration parade almost becomes nauseating at a party where everyone constantly compliments Chris and athletes like Tiger Woods. As a white person myself, it really makes me hope I've never done anything like that in my life as it's a really horrible way to be and act. But I do like that Get Out makes me ask these questions in the first place, it's a film that truly extends its reach out to an audience of all races and makes us question our places in society and if it's all really a facade. It's deep and uncomfortable, but It also gives us a chance for growth and to learn from it too.

As I've said, I love the film's attention to detail. Chris as a photographer is integral to the plot; it's the camera flash to the eyes that snaps the Armitage's servants out of their hypnotized states, and ties in with Hudson's wanting of Chris' eyes to gain his natural eye and talent for art. Eyes also tie into the misdirection and mystery of the plot, as mearly everything we see is not the truth. One of my favorite subtle moments is when Chris is tied in a chair near the end, and literally has to pick cotton out of the arm rests to escape his confinement. That's an incredibly dark twisting of slavery if I've ever seen one. I also like when Dean is impaled by a deer head, ironically echoing his statements earlier about deers ruining the local ecosystem. Then there's the happy ending with Chris' friend Rob, giving the audience a breather and something positive to actually take away from the film and maybe try to change things towards the future. There's a whole bunch more where that came from, but we could be here all day discussing them!

Get Out is a film not scary because of a serial killer or ghost jump scares, but rather its implications and commentary on society, like a good old fashioned episode of The Twilight Zone. The scariest thing is how its "villains" are all really just normal everyday people, but with that classic dark undertone that lurks under every suburbia in the country and beyond. These are the people who could easily be your next door neighbors, the people you see grocery shopping. After all, everyone is hiding something, right?
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Johnbobb posted...

that last picture was a big water slide. It was one of the most popular rides there and my personal favorite

now it's been closed for 13 years and is gated off on private property

Yeah I could see that being such a weird feeling. I think what makes it the most scary is that it used to be a place for happiness and joy and now it sits lonely and unloved probably forever.
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I think you got the wrong topic there!
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lol sorry
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5. The death of Elisa Lam (27.5 points)
Nominated by: jcgamer107 (0/5 remaining)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Elisa_Lam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TjVBpyTeZM" data-time="

Importance: 9.5
Fear: 10
Snake: 8

I still remember the first ever time watching this security cam footage, and being absolutely freaked out by it. It's still a video that gives me the chills. It's a tragic, scary, and very intriguing story that still doesn't have a very solid explanation behind it. I guess we should start with a little backstory. Elisa Lam was a Canadian student sight-seeing around California, registering a room at the Cecil Hotel (one of the most haunted and fucked-up buildings in the world, but that's a story for another time). Fellow guests had complained about her erratic behavior before the incident even though she had been normal in the days before. That brings us to the elevator footage which contains many creepy nuggets and oddities; Elisa contorts her limbs in a strange manner, moves in and out of the elevator after pressing multiple buttons, the elevator seems to be malfunctioning in the first place, and it even seems like Elisa may have been hiding from someone or something. Many theories have been offered up, from demonic possession, to a mental breakdown (Elsia was known to have bipolar disorder), to drug or alcohol use, to some kind of serial killer stalking her. Eventually though, Elisa would end up in the hotel's water tank, and it would be nearly a week before she was discovered, all the while hotel guests used the contaminated water to drink and shower. The autopsy report was a source of much controversy due to the long length it took to complete, along with the footage itself, which is theorized to have been doctored. The autopsy also notably supports none of the theories put forward; there was no sign of assault, or drug use, or suicide, and it was ruled an accident. While it has been several years now, the case of Elisa Lam still captures attention and demands answers. We may never know the full truth of all the events that transpired that night, but I hope one day someone out there could shed some light on it.
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Oh man, I instantly regret watching this video. That was terrifying.
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Seriously! Watching the video really makes me paranoid and nervous, I can only imagine what she felt.
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9.5 seems high for importance!
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