A common technique in horror films is to include main or secondary characters who make bad decisions, either out of horror or because they are just dummies being pulled by the screenwriter’s strings. Whatever the reason for these clumsy acts (characters dropping weapons, stumbling, dispersing, ignoring warnings, or simply giving the villains an advantage), watching them is often infuriating and exhausting.
Most of the characters in horror movies act so irrationally or illogically that it’s hard to believe that there are still sane characters out there. However, some films have characters that challenge these horror movie tropes by acting quickly but thoughtfully, assessing situations and finding the best ways to fight back. Ellen Ripley in aliens and Erin in You are nextamong other things, deserve recognition for their ability to deal with their opponents almost entirely on their own.
‘Come Out’ (2017)
Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) white girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams) invites him to visit her parents at their secluded lake house, and he notices her awkward behavior towards him. Not only that, the servants at the lake house seem strange, and Chris discovers something dark and unsettling about a wealthy family.
Get out is not your average teen horror movie with smart protagonists and villains. Jordan Peele must have intended. Despite being hypnotized into a catatonic state for several months, Chris manages to save himself and also kill the villains. Chris’s quick wit was the only reason he was able to escape from the Armitages’ house, which is full of clever, manipulative villains.
‘Scream’ (1996)
This American cult horror franchise began with a film created by Kevin Williamson as well as Wes Craven which depicts a ghost-faced killer on the loose. scream followed by Sidney PrescottNeve Campbell) and her high school friends who are being targeted by a mysterious Halloween killer. As the number of bodies increases, Sydney finds it increasingly difficult to trust those around her because anyone can be the killer.
scream was one of the first horror films to break free from the usual image of goofy characters in horror films and introduce insightful characters to the mainstream. Most of the characters do the right thing and are quite resourceful. From Joel JonesDuane Martin) who runs away until there are no killers left, order smart Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) to Sidney Prescott outsmarting killers at every turn, there’s no shortage of smart characters. scream.
“You’re Next” (2011)
During the reunion, a group of masked attackers attack the estranged family and they must band together to face this supernatural menace from the forest or die. A joyful family event collapses as long as the main character Erin (Sharni Vinson) showed that she knew the secret to defeating the assassins.
It was a pleasure to watch Erin organize the family defense, set traps and collect weapons as she turned the tables on these villains in You are next. Her survival-focused upbringing plays a vital role in creating a character who is shrewd, tough fighter and unaffected by silly horror movie tropes. She is undoubtedly one of the horror slasher characters that almost every viewer will support for her quick wits.
“Something” (1982)
An American scientific expedition to Antarctica is disrupted when a dog is shot at by a helicopter. After the helicopter explodes and the Norwegians chasing the dog are killed, the Americans are left with a deadly creature, which they discover has the power to shape-shift.
John Carpenter Thing filled with well-written, intelligent characters who kept their cool despite isolation and intense stress. They deduce the facts and develop strategies to avoid being infected by the mutating alien creature. One character who plays superbly is MacReady (Kurt Russell), he is not a scientist or a doctor, but his suspicious and aggressive nature served him well in defeating one of the most cunning horror movie villains, Blair (Wilford Brimley) and Thing.
‘Descent’ (2005)
This British horror film is about six women who enter a cave and discover that it is inhabited by subterranean predators who love to eat human flesh. These women are trapped in a claustrophobic cave and must fight these vicious humanoids called crawlers or die.
Well-written intelligent characters in Descent helped many understand what a horror film really is. Sara (Shona McDonald) fights tooth and nail to survive this horrific event, but she is not the only one who is an intelligent or competent character, as others are also portrayed as tough explorers willing to fight for their survival.
“Aliens” (1979)
The crew of the Nostromo face a deadly alien invasion in aliens in the form of giant bloodthirsty beasts. The iconic Ellen RipleySigourney Weaver) must fight to save her teammates from a lethal attack, as well as prevent Ash from delivering an evil creature to earth.
Thanks to a series of wise decisions and the resourcefulness of Ellen Ripley, she survived to the very end, while the refusal of her team members to heed her sound advice led to their horrific death. Ripley is undoubtedly one of the smartest and most daring horror movie characters.
‘Soldier Dogs’ (2002)
A squad of British soldiers are on a training mission when they discover that werewolves are operating in the region. Trapped and pursued by these vicious creatures in the endless Scottish wilderness, these soldiers must be prepared for a tough fight for survival.
Screenwriter and director Neil Marshall, dog soldiers turns out to be a must-see werewolf movie with an ensemble of smart and tough characters like Pvt. Cooper (Kevin McKidd), A spoon (Darren Morfitt), and Pvt. Joe KirkleyChris Robinson) and Captain Ryan (Liam Cunningham). Once the dumb character is killed, the other soldiers make tactical decisions to keep themselves safe. To protect themselves from these unexpected enemies, they use practical methods and logic.
“Hang Out” (2016)
Growing up, Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) has always been haunted by an unknown horror in the dark, and now her younger brother Martin (Gabriel Bateman) experiences the same. Delving deeper into the mystery, Rebecca realizes that this mysterious figure in the dark is attached to their mom and that their whole life is in danger.
Rebecca and the other characters don’t act casually like most horror films do. These characters react to problems like real people, not like helpless and frightened victims waiting to be attacked.
‘Shine’ (1980)
Writer Jack TorranceJack Nicholson) takes his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd) to the secluded Overlook Hotel in Shine. Danny’s special gift allows him to see the future and the past. As the family tries to settle in, they soon discover that the hotel is in darkness, which drives Jack insane.
Wendy may be wild, but she’s a brave mom who saves not only herself but her son from a murderous father. She is definitely a hero not to be underestimated, and even the villains Grady and Jack testify to her strong will and resourcefulness. Danny is just as smart as his mother, and his actions in retracing his footprints in the snow that led to Jack’s death are really smart.
“The Invisible Man” (2020)
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Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) is convinced that her abusive ex is stalking her in Invisible Man, but no one believes her, because he allegedly committed suicide. As the cops refuse to believe her disturbing story, she musters up the courage to figure out what’s really going on and fight back against herself.
Cecilia did not lose her vigilance for a second and did not even underestimate the villain. She is aware of his abilities and uses his own weapons against him. She is not a screaming, defenseless female character, on the contrary, she is tough and ready to play the villain’s game even better than him.
Source: Collider
