PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Horror fans are often asked why they love the genre. The most common answer I see is that horror is an escape from everyday life. They provide fans with the most foul, terrifying monsters that make us all think that life could always be worse. This year – 2016 – is known as the year that everyone wants to forget. However, in the horror world, we are brought some horror antagonists that will always be remembered.
Doom-Head – 31
(Synopsis provided by IMDb.com): Five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in an abandoned, Hell-like compound, where they are forced to participate in a violent game. The goal of the game is to survive twelve hours against a gang of sadistic clowns.
Doom-Head was my personal choice for one of the best antagonists of the year. Sure, Rob Zombie’s 31 has horror fans completely divided. However you felt about the movie, though, there’s no denying Richard Brake gave us a brilliant performance that had genre lovers questioning why he wasn’t considered for the role as The Joker in any Batman flick.
The Nun – The Conjuring 2
(Synopsis provided by IMDb.com): Ed and Lorraine Warren travel to London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by a malicious spirit.
In 2013, The Conjuring brought us the terrifying Annabelle doll. Three years later, the sequel gives us Valak, yet another iconic demon. Valak, or The Nun, was no doubt the scariest thing about this film. Bonnie Aarons was perfect for this antagonist with her creepy stature. As predicted, The Nun will soon get her own film. I really hope Bonnie returns to play her, because I can’t see anyone else playing this part.
Diana – Lights Out
(Synopsis provided by IMDb.com): When her little brother, Martin, experiences the same events that once tested her own sanity, Rebecca works to unlock the truth behind the terror. Rebecca soon ends up face to face with an entity that’s attached to her mother, Sophie.
Truthfully, I was a little disappointed that the antagonist in Lights Out was a ghost instead of a demon. That being said, Alicia Vela-Bailey’s portrayal of Diana still gives me nightmares months after watching the film. It was such a cool concept and I love the idea of a spirit that can only be seen in the dark. Whenever horror fans hear “lights out” from now on, they will always remember Diana and that first scene!
The Blind Man – Don’t Breathe
(Synopsis provided by IMDb.com): Three Detroit thieves try to rob the home of a blind man with a major cash settlement so the main character can move to California. However, they aren’t aware of the blind man’s capabilities and hidden secret within his house.
Stephen Lang provided us with a character people didn’t know they’d be afraid of. He was able to switch in an instant from a seemingly helpless old man to a blind badass that really freaked us out. Again, if a sequel does end up happening, they better bring back Stephen as the old man!
Rest assured, 2016 is finally ending. During the trials and tribulations of the past year, we were able to forget reality with a little help from these horror villains. I believe that 2016 was a big step forward for horror and I can’t wait to see what the horror antagonists will be like next year!
