Best in Show: Geriatric Nightmares (Pt. II of II)

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5. Mary Shaw (Dead Silence)
Before horror director James Wan invested himself into the world of Insidious - feature a horrific ghost lady - he reinvigorated our fear of puppets and the ventriloquists who operate them in Dead Silence. Brimming with jump scares and a genuinely terrifying old lady in Mary Shaw, Dead Silence is deeply unsettling. She is a relentless entity with control over some horrifying dolls. Mary Shaw is easily one of the more underrated horror villains out there, often forgotten alongside bigger projects in Wan’s repertoire.


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4. Woman in Black (The Woman in Black)

Is the Woman in Black an old woman? Maybe not, but her dark, frumpy outfit and ghastly image certainly evokes a sense of geriatric horror. She's the type of character that isn't the most distinguishable in age; after death her ghoulishness isn't easily linked to what her age could have been. While she chases young people more than adults, she is all around scary and will stay caught in your brains for some time.

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3. Deborah Logan (The Taking of Deborah Logan) 

On the list of old people in horror, no one is more worthy of inclusion than Deborah Logan in The Taking of Deborah Logan. While Deborah's feeble stature and disarming personality may make you think you're about to rest easy, be warned, you're about to see something that'll surely keep you awake. Equally endearing as it is horrifying; this found-footage film will make you question the sincerity of your cuddly grandma, but also will you to hold her a little closer. Deborah is, by and large, one of the scariest old women in horror. Whether her mouth is agape or she is simply telling you off as many stubborn old women do, Mrs. Logan is anything but friendly.

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2. Mrs. Ganush (Drag Me To Hell) When Drag Me to Hell came out, it drew the attention of plenty horror fans. Featuring plenty of comical laughs and some eccentric imagery, the film was an enigma among off remakes and conventional horror films. Mrs. Ganush, the witchy villain that curses loan officer Christine is all types of spooky. Her haunting composure, visceral stare and wicked demeanor all make for an elderly character that should strike fear in viewers. The movie's comedy will certainly throw you off, but Mrs. Ganush will constantly remind you that what you're watching is most definitely a horror movie.

1. Nana & Pop Pop (The Visit)

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Talk about a plot twist. At the center of 2015's The Visit is what seems to be a loving - although odd - pair of grandparents, is instead something far more sinister. When Tyler and Becca go to visit the parents of their mother who hasn't seen or heard from them for many years, things start off well enough; cookies, games and plenty of grandparent activities. But, as things slowly unravel it becomes clear to both the siblings and the audience that things are really, really wrong. Nana and Pop Pop are weird, really weird. So weird in fact, that they do things like crawl around in the dark, chase their grandchildren under the porch and say things that aren't quite right. The Visit balances some more comical moments with absolutely terrifying ones. The grandparents are deceivingly old, but by far some of the scariest antagonist in horror history.

Best in Show: Geriatric Nightmares (Pt. I of II)

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.

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10. Old Woman (Devil)

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.

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9. Mr. and Mrs. Ulman The House of the Devil

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.

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8. Lorraine Massey (The Shining)

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.



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7. Minnie and Roman Castevet (Rosemary's Baby)

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.

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6. The Old Woman (Insidious)

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.

The Overlook: Fear, Inc.

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Dedicated horror fans often complain about how, over time, they've become desensitized to scares. Even movies that terrify most come across as placid to some aggressively consuming audiences. Playing off of this, some filmmakers have attempted to address these problems head on. In the Scream franchise, horror movie buffs who are seemingly ahead of the killer then become victims and in The Houses October Built, the insatiable desire to be scared took a turn for the deadly when a group of friends look for the best haunted house of their lives. This is basically the foundation of last year's Fear, Inc.; a horror-comedy that shows once again what happens when someone bite off more than they can chew.

Similar to Houses October Built, Fear, Inc. features a group of friends who get caught up in a horror service that takes things very, very far. But, with enough differentiation and a healthy dose of blind comedy, Fear, Inc. is iconic on its own. Opening with a horror fanatic who thinks he's setting his friends up with a company responsible for scaring, this film quickly devolves into a twisting and horrific film asking what limits actually exist in a contract and the question, "who is pranking who?"

Like The Houses October Built, Fear, Inc. brings together a wickedly strong ensemble that is able to balance horror and comedy, given the ridiculousness of the plot. The true star and most definite scene stealer is Lucas Neff (Raising Hope) who plays horror junkie, Joe Foster. His character is the funniest and most blankly accepting of his situation. He adds a lighthearted tone to what could be a very dim film. His girlfriend, Lindsey, is played by Caitlin Stasey (Reign), and Chris Marquette (Freddy vs. Jason) plays his best friend, Ben. The cast is rounded out with Stephanie Drake (Mad Men) playing Ben's wife, and Mark Moses playing the leader of Fear, Inc. 

With so many twists, Fear, Inc. is an unexpectedly good movie. Each of the actors is game for the wild roles they play. Whether being hunted or being tricksters, these characters will completely engross the viewer who will surely be content with whatever they're watching. Fear, Inc. also has a fair set of scares to balance out the comedy. Between some truly energetic deaths and Neff's uncanny ability to seem so unaware and invested in what he believes is a prank, Fear, Inc. gives some truly great moments.

Overall, what makes Fear, Inc. so special is its originality. It toggling between entertainment and horror is cringe-worthy in the best way possible. Even while viewers see and know that the characters have something to be afraid of, the band of friends still accepts it as a joke. This type of disruption is so perfectly captured it's hard to deny this movie as addicting.

Best in Show: Slasher Films (Part II of II)

Here we go- the conclusion of yesterday's list:

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5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre & Halloween (tie, yeah that's right, a tie) (1974 & 1978)
Invoking fear as the sun sets around his grotesque features, Leatherface's dance with his chainsaw is one of the industry's most cinematic moments. I personally believe this is one of the most off-putting movies of all time (in the best way possible). As a horror fan, it's hard not to respect and appreciate a film that has spawned so many sequels and remakes. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is disgusting, but also beautiful in its creation- a complex and horrifying product that is recognizable even to those who have not seen it (Don't worry, I have), and for that it's a necessary addition to this list.

I originally had Halloween as number six on this list but altered it to fit different movies; after all, every "best slashers" lists online often ends up looking the same with a lot of classics. Both films stand out alone but also work hand-in-hand as emblems of the subgenre. The music of Halloween, like the imagery of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is iconic and so are the characters within. Laurie and Michael Myers are often recognized as some of cinema's greatest, and I would agree.



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4. Saw (series) (2004-2017)

Somewhere in between slasher and torture, the Saw series has become an iconic- sometimes laughable franchise of insane traps and a puppet named Billy. Featuring the serial killer Jigsaw and his secret collection of accomplices, I would most definitely place this movie set in the slasher subgenre (as evident by its existence on this list). Sure, sometimes the movies are shallow and unrealistic, but the creative traps alone are enough to place it on this list. I loved the series throughout high school and continue to force others to enjoy it as well.



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3. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

I went back and forth on the validity of Nightmare on Elm Street as a slasher film. Sure it has a killer, but it’s also supernatural and to me, slashers are at least somewhat grounded in reality. For years, Freddy has been considered one of the greatest horror legends of history and rightfully so. But, while Elm Street is often noted as a slasher, I didn't necessarily agree. I did however, end up adding him anyway since this movie is amazing. Despite dated graphics, there is something constantly terrifying about The Nightmare on Elm Street. The inescapable nature of his killings is truly the stuff of nightmares (get it?).



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2. The Strangers (2008)

I first saw The Strangers while dog-sitting at a country home. To say I was terrified is an understatement. The Strangers is about a dismantling couple who are subtly stalked and then attacked in a secluded house. One of the reason's this movie is effective (other than it's "based on a true story" prologue) is it's deeply grounded imagery and plot. Nothing that happens in this movie is all that unrealistic and this alone should leave viewers sunk into their seats. To this day fire alarms make me feel like someone is behind me.

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1. Scream (series) (1996-2011)

The Halloween costume most worn in the history of ever has to be Ghostface. The Scream series is easily the most entertaining and simultaneously the greatest set of slasher movies ever (yes, even the fourth). With a cast of reoccurring characters that you grow to love, a whodunit element of surprise and never ending satire, the self-reflective series is one of the movie industry's greatest accomplishments (sorry Avatar).