Goodness, well aren’t you getting a treat today! We’re counting down the most grueling, terrifying, disturbing characters from books that just so happen to be adapted characters as well. Hint, hint… wink… wink. Could this be a secret scary movie list as well? Check it out for yourself with the scariest characters!
10. Carrie White (and her Mother) from ‘Carrie’
Our beloved Carrie White is undoubtedly a victim of bullying and abuse within her story, so why is she in the top 10 scariest fictional characters? Have you seen the original adaptation with Sissy Spacek? Her face is forever burned inside my brain as she looks out at the onslaught on her victims. Not to mention, her mother is one of the story’s main antagonists, so it would be unjust not to cite her. After all, she is mainly at fault for Carrie’s fall.
9. The Pale Lady from ‘From Scary Stories Told in the Dark’
The Pale Lady tale is nothing but terror; however, you can still look past the story. The picture of the Pale Lady and how she is described puts her on this list. She is haunting, deathly, and arguably the most popular character recognized by the series.
8. Patrick Bateman from ‘American Psycho’
What’s so interesting about Patrick is he knows that there’s something wrong with him, yet he chooses to continue his antics. At the same time, his final confession shows he subconsciously wants to stop. Even when he confesses his sinful acts of murder, he is stuck in his own personal hell.
7. Jack Torrance from ‘The Shining’
In the past, Stephen King has stated he did not like the adaptation of The Shining, but many horror movie buffs would argue that Jack Nicholson’s acting overshadows the book’s changes. “Here Comes Johnny!” is an iconic line within such a prolific scene.
6. Norman Bates from ‘Psycho’
Norman is not your typical psychopath. Although he technically isn’t psycho, he does show traits of psychosis. Regardless of what he is, his murderous acts and the way he does these crimes complete the lunatic checklist.
5. Hannibal Lecter from ‘Hannibal Lecter series’
Hannibal the Cannibal is an innovative, determined, manipulative, and egotistical serial killer with a charming actor in his place. Have you seen Anthony Hopkins’s portrayal of this fiend? Enough said.
4. Lord Voldemort from the ‘Harry Potter series’
Yes, yes, I know. Lord Voldemort is not a part of a horror franchise or series, but he’s here for a reason. For heaven’s sake, his goal in life is to kill a literal child because he’s threatened by his power. That’s not the main reason why he’s scary, though. Re-watch Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Tell me you aren’t hiding under the covers when we first get a good look at ‘he who shall not be named.’
3. Frankenstein from ‘Frankenstein’
There are a few villains that actually have a reason to go killer mode. Our magnificent original monster was rejected by his peers vehemently. After so many incidents resulting in nonacceptance within society, Frankenstein cracked. Who can blame him? At the same time, can we blame society? In the novel, Mary Shelley describes Frankenstein as a horribly ugly eight-foot-tall monster with translucent yellowish skin that doesn’t look so good against his bones and body. He also has black hair, black lips, and large white teeth. That sounds like a decomposing body to me.
2. Kevin from ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’
Yet another serial killer is on the list. But what’s so different about Kevin? What is wrong with Kevin? He’s unsettling, kills for no particular reason, and hates his mother. Or perhaps he loves her so much he chooses to kill to earn attention from her. We never find out why anything is happening, which is the most chilling part about him. Unfamiliar with Kevin’s story? Pick up the book.
1. Pennywise the Clown from ‘IT’
Pennywise is the scariest character because what exactly is it? A clown on the prowl to kill kids for their light, preying on their fear, eating them, tormenting their psyche. Pennywise is the embodiment of every child and adult’s worst nightmare. It doesn’t matter the age; it will get you.
Monsters aren’t always the boogeyman under the bed. Sometimes men replicate our fears. It’s more terrifying when a real person is behind the terror because there’s no fictitious story behind it. The character was inspired somewhere, whether deep inside the author’s psyche or by a real-life killer long forgotten.
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