Weapons
Almost nothing beats the satisfaction of hacking your victim to death, unless of course you’re hacking them to death to a hit ‘80s track. The mix of this scenes monologue, iconic outfit, and the character's overall nonchalant vibe made this arguably one of the best scenes in this film.
Axe-American Psycho (2000)
Set in L.A., two siblings come across an accident. Trying to help a woman caught in wreckage, something attacks them. After devouring the woman and attacking the terrified siblings. They eventually discover what attacked them, they find the truth that they fallen victim to the same ancient curse.
Cursed (2005)
The film's setting is fascinating despite how creepy it unravels to be. The imagery is distinct and beautifully intense. There are some extraordinarily unsettling and horrifying moments within this film that don't rely on the dark to create a good scare and tapping into the psyche.
A Midsummer Festival-Midsommar (2019)
Dawning of a new era in horror arose in when the splatter era that would define a generation and give horror fans one of their most beloved movie twists ever! This film is masterclass in building dread while still wanting to give you hope. Just to let you know things are not as they appear in the closing moments.
Saw (2004)
While consisting of multiple kills, the entire opening act sent shockwaves down horror fans upon release. There are many iconic aspects of this sequence, however, the true impact of the sequence comes from the context surrounding its release. Showing audiences that anything could happen, and anyone could die.
Steven Orth/Casey Becker-Scream (1996)
While it’s the most common weapon on this list, appearing in many films, no one can doubt the efficacy of such a simple tool being used outside the room it was intended for. The infamous killer armed himself with this weapon for the first time at the tender age when he committed his first murdered.
Butcher Knife-Halloween (1978)
In this rare film outside this genre, it shows Craven's strengths in directing a mystery thriller. The directing style proves to be versatile and skillful enough to mend itself well, resulting in a film that keeps its stakes high, and audiences excited throughout. It also helps that the enclosed and claustrophobic public setting makes for a great backdrop for a thriller.
Red Eye (2005)
This installment of the franchise is by far the wackiest. The film is as wild as it's setting is for a horror movie; it works perfectly with the humorous style and the numerous gags that parody the period. The backdrop contrasts so much with the protagonists' modern tendencies creating a hilarious dynamic.
The Middle Ages-Army of Darkness (1992)
A masterclass in paranoia, freak-out horror, and confounding choices. A film all but guaranteed to leave audiences dumbfounded, nothing quite lives up to the final few moments of this film. With one of the most well-known twists in horror movie history leaves you feeling uncomfortable and baffled.
The Orphan (2009)
This opening kill is set in a quiet town and a harrowing illustration which sets up the movie in just the first few minutes. This opening kill so memorable and earth-shattering due to the revelation of who the murderer is. Not a victim of circumstance, but a monster born with no remorse.
Judith Myers- Halloween (1978)
This weapon may not be as flashy as some of the other entries, but it’s arguably one of the most effective. Light, quick and lethal this tool can be used in a multitude of ways such as stabbing, slicing, and can be used to decapitate a copious number of victims throughout the film’s many sequels and reboots.
Machete-Friday the 13th (1980)
While doing what Wes Craven does best, he once again is playing with the meta-angle he would perfect in many films including this one. This new film sees our protagonist at his darkest, as Craven is able to stick closer to his vision, he crafts an unsettling story about the monsters we create and how they can haunt us.
New Nightmare (1994)
While we sometimes think to dread of what types of creatures could lurk beneath us, this film plays a lot with that tension. The film uses great open set design to create a feeling that the monster is lurking below them. The creatures also look fantastic due to the large models built to bring it to life.
The Deserts of Nevada-Tremors (1990)
Enjoying the twist at the end of this claustrophobic movie actually depends on which version you see. The movie should end with the shock of realizing that lead character hasn't truly escaped from where the protagonist is trapped. While one version ends with a hallucination, the other with a jump scare and another with a bleak outlook.
The Descent (2005)
The opening scene plays on the fears of children and parents alike as the idea of a child falling for a stranger's tricks. This film sets up the villain and the main character's motivation. The "stranger danger" element also adds to the themes of the movie, which pertains to fear, while setting up the theme of growing up and losing your innocence explored later in the film.
Georgie's Death-It (2017)
This sleek and stylish signature tool is equal parts deadly as well as discreet. This weapon has been used before in many gothic murder plots, and this one is no exception. It's simple, sophisticated, and its slices are most satisfactory.
Straight-Razor-Sweeney Todd (2007)
This film remains his most infamous courtesy of the sickening violence it contains. While his later films would take on more supernatural aspects and take the violence to an over-the-top level, this movie features scenes that are sickeningly realistic, making it a tough watch but making it a landmark movie in the horror genre.
The Last House on the Left (1972)
This settings vastness adds a lot to the intensity as you never really know where the killer could be. The antagonist itself is also a great addition to the setting. It was brought to life with amazing effects, adding a lot to the fear factor as it feels like a genuine threat to the characters.
The Ocean-Jaws (1975)
Wonderfully complex, intense, and psychological movie that will undoubtedly melt the minds of any and all viewers. None of the twists leave a more resounding impact on film. A twist so powerful it will make audiences want to re-watch the entire film, to pick up on the clues you may have missed from the opening scene.
Us (2019)
While it's not the most outrageous death throughout the film, this simplicity sticks out; the film follows the patterns of other girls who die first in horror movies while naively engaging in odd situations. A typical first death in movies goes to the most promiscuous or morally wrong. This protagonist becomes not only a better person but someone who is far more vigilant of those around them. The first death is the outline while later being forced to see actions time and time again.
Tree's First Death-Happy Death Day (2017)
While not on the list of weapons you would want to find yourself intertwined with, this particular weapon is among one for the most infamous. It's also used multiple times throughout the movies, with some characters live to see the next day, and others end up suffer their own grisly fate.
Reverse Bear Trap-Saw Franchise (2004)
Based on a non-fiction book; this film may not have aged as gracefully but with black magic and voodoo it still has a lot of quality to display. This especially comes in the form of mesmerizing sets and production designs, as the film was shot on location in Haiti, making for an undeniably beautiful backdrop.
The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)
A visual and auditory feast for the senses that transports its audience into a nightmarishly surreal world and never allows them to see the light of day. The film's lush color palette and unnerving soundtrack combine to create an atmosphere of mounting terror. Gruesome violence combined with drop-dead gorgeous visuals make this film a true cult classic.
Ballet Academy-Suspiria (1977)
This horror film gives us one of the most beloved stories of "who done it" as the movie is faithful to the alluring bound world that is painted for us by the story. Full of fantasy, horror, and romance the incredible cast of characters daddle in the supernatural just to find out the person you least expected to be in control.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Taking time building up its characters and the locale before truly entering the blood-soaked second half of the film, and the first kill does a great job of establishing this shift. The kill comes during a confrontation with the death ending in a stabbing to the point of decapitation and on top of just how gruesome the kill is, it's fully amplified and set up as the key turning point of the film.
RJ's Death-X (2022)