So often, horror fans turn to creepy children and commend their
talent and ability to scare often overlooked but most definitely necessary,
elders in horror can provide some truly terrifying moments. This week's list
covers the most horrifying old people in horror. So grab your quilts, your
knitting needles and a cat because these aren't your typical, loving
grandparents.
 |
| (imdb.com) |
While perhaps too young to be called "elderly," Jenny
O'Hara's role as the old woman in M. Night Shyamalan's Devil is
everything an older woman in horror should aspire to be. Deceptively innocent
and entirely unsettling, O'Hara's character may end up being a part of a
relatively predictable twist, but it doesn't stop her from greatness. She's an
iconic older female in horror and worthy of this spot.
 |
| (imdb.com) |
Must be the season of the Devil because The House of the
Devil has been clearing lists on this blog for the past few weeks.
Extremely multidimensional and easily applicable to plenty of horror tropes and
angles, this film has a lot to offer. And, when it comes to scary old people,
this movie's got it down. The Ulmans are deeply troubling. From their first
scene and encounter with Samantha, it's clear something isn't quite right with
the darkly lit, black-wearing couple. The unveiling of their sinister
intentions won't shock anyone, but the results are absolutely terrifying.
 |
| (imdb.com) |
One of the scariest parts of the mega classic, The Shining,
is the crazed woman first encountered by Danny in room 237. The Shining is
legendary and the horrific Lorraine Massey deserves the notoriety often
reserved for the Grady twins. Her character is deeply unsettling. From
shape-shifting to her ghoulish figure, she is truly the stuff of
nightmares. Whether coming after Danny or making out with Jack
Torrance, Lorraine Massey is a scary reminder that looks can be deceiving and
even the least visibly menacing characters can be horrifying.
 |
| (imdb.com) |
It's so nice when you move into a new apartment and the
neighbors are friendly. But, sometimes, friendliness goes a little too far and
the results are downright unsettling. In Rosemary's Baby the elderly
neighbors of the Woodhouses are exactly what you'd want to avoid in an
apartment hunt. Sure, they come across as sweet and innocent but, like many
older characters in horror, this pair is deceptively evil. Kind of similar to
the Ulmans of The House of the Devil, this classic and infamous duo
never seems quite right in the head.
 |
| (imdb.com) |
While Insidious is filled to the rim with scary
creatures, ghoulish characters and ghastly children, it's the old woman in a
black gown that is truly at the core of this horror film. What makes her so
scary is the fact that she moves subtly through The Further while still
maintaining an ice cold grip on her victims. If Josh was any of us, I'm sure
we'd be equally afraid to take photos knowing there's a chance she's nearby.
While some of the bigger bad spirits in Insidious get some of the
scariest scenes, there's no denying the permeating fear and dread presented by
The Old Woman's perseverance.
No comments:
Post a Comment