Buzz
Anonymous characters in films can be incredibly impactful. While their portrayal can easily falter, when executed effectively, they become remarkably compelling. These characters, often in the background or playing minor roles, leave a lasting impression through their actions, dialogue, or appearance. This list focuses on those who evoke a distinctly eerie and unsettling vibe, making them unforgettable despite their limited screen time.
10. The Chatterer Hellraiser 2
There's no denying that the Cenobites rank among the most terrifying figures in horror. By the time of the first Hellraiser, they appear to be seasoned experts in torment and disfigurement (and perhaps even seduction? The pleasure-pain dynamic remains a mystery) of those skilled with puzzle boxes. Each Cenobite is introduced with a striking visual presence: a female Cenobite, a corpulent Cenobite, and the one who incessantly chatters his teeth. What’s the deal with that? It’s never fully explained, adding to the unsettling aura.
Alongside their leader, Pinhead, each Cenobite had their own unique appeal (The Chatterer remains my favorite, alongside Pinhead, of course). However, they were no match for the sinister Dr. Channard and his deadly fingers. One by one, he swiftly eliminated them, and upon their deaths, they reverted to their original human forms. Pinhead became an ordinary man, the female Cenobite turned into a regular woman, the overweight Cenobite transformed into a heavyset man, but what did the Chatterer become? A young child.
There’s a lot to unpack here. What’s the story behind this kid? How did he end up with the puzzle box? Did his wealthy parents purchase it as a Christmas gift from a peculiar vendor during one of their trips to India?
I doubt it. Here’s my theory: this child was an insatiable thrill-seeker, much like Uncle Frank, eager to explore the limits of pleasure. Perhaps, during a cocaine-fueled escapade (explaining the teeth chattering), he and his friend Miguel embarked on a private jet to uncover the mysteries of the rabbit hole.
9. Mr. Brown Reservoir Dogs
No list of the creepiest characters would be complete without a nod to Quentin Tarantino. While I admire him as a director, he has a peculiar habit of portraying himself (or influencing others to portray him) as an outright creep. If his character in From Dusk ’til Dawn had remained nameless, he’d easily rank higher on this list. Instead, he secures a spot near the top as Mr. Brown, or as he and everyone else referred to him after his own declaration, Mr. Shit. Yes, because his name is brown, like, well, you know.
He kicks off the movie in classic creepy fashion: confidently engaging a group of criminal strangers, with whom he’s about to pull off a major heist, in a detailed discussion about the size of men’s anatomy. This lengthy monologue, where he dominates 90% of the conversation about, ahem, substantial endowments, only pauses when he needs to catch his breath. Thankfully, Lawrence Tierney steps in to diffuse the tension, as he can effortlessly lighten any mood with just a few words.
His death is equally bizarre. Mr. Orange, Mr. White, and Mr. Shit (who’s behind the wheel) are making their escape when they rear-end another car at a stoplight. While Orange and White, neither wearing seatbelts, emerge unscathed, Mr. Shit is left with a bloody, dazed expression. Despite this, he continues cursing and pounding the steering wheel in frustration. Moments later, he’s inexplicably dead. Huh?
While Mr. Brown may not be the creepiest character ever, think of this as a lifetime achievement award for Tarantino’s knack for playing unsettling roles.
8. The Cowboy Mulholland Drive
What? A creepy character in a David Lynch film? Surely, I can’t be serious, right? Oh, but I am. Completely serious. Utterly serious. Unquestionably serious. And this won’t be the only time you encounter one on this list.
Mulholland Drive is one of those films that’s challenging to grasp at first glance but reveals its depth with repeated viewings. Certain aspects remain ambiguous, but it appears The Cowboy is a manifestation of Diane’s subconscious. I won’t delve deeper to avoid spoilers for those who haven’t seen it. While he isn’t real, he plays a pivotal and enigmatic role in the events where he appears.
This might sound like nonsense, but it’s a Lynch film, where nothing is as it seems. The Cowboy appears before a key character, exuding absolute authority, yet his arrival is sudden and unexplained. He’s a cowboy, unnervingly pale—think of the movie Powder, but dress him in cowboy attire and amplify the creepiness tenfold. That’s The Cowboy. And let’s not forget the monstrous figure behind the diner—what on earth is that?
7. Mom and Dad People Under the Stairs
This one speaks for itself. They reside in a sprawling mansion equipped with secret tunnels, automated metal shutters, torture devices, a group of misfits, and even a daughter they keep imprisoned. The best part? Both are equally enthusiastic about these twisted activities. Their relationship functions perfectly, except for the countless laws they break. Their motto, “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil,” is enforced ruthlessly. The misfits I mentioned are their own children, punished for violating this motto and banished under the stairs to survive on the remains of other victims. Oh, and did I mention they’re siblings? Yeah, that too. When they push one clever kid too far, their entire operation blows up in their faces—literally.
A fascinating tidbit about these two is that they also played a couple on the TV series Twin Peaks around the same time. Having only finished Twin Peaks recently, it struck me that the same actors portrayed entirely different characters, yet still as a couple.
This is one of those underrated horror films that may not be a masterpiece but is packed with intriguing concepts. I appreciate when genres blend, and this film aimed for a fantasy-horror mix, presenting the house as an alternate world for a lost traveler. The most obvious link is their daughter, named Alice.
6. Peeing Guy Harold and Kumar
Let’s break this down: Jamie Kennedy, dressed in a suit, late at night, in the middle of a forest, decides to pee on the exact same bush as Kumar, despite countless other options. He stares at Kumar while doing so. While this was clearly the intended effect, it doesn’t make the character any less unsettling. This guy apparently finishes work and heads straight to the forest, waiting for someone to pull over and relieve themselves so he can join in and stare. Oh, and did I mention he looks like Jamie Kennedy?
5. The Girl The Ninth Gate
This might be a controversial choice because, A. she’s undeniably attractive, and B. she’s actually quite intriguing for most of the film. She appears early on, acting as a sort of protector for Johnny Depp as he delves into his bizarre Satanic quests. Her motives remain unclear throughout the movie, as she barely speaks, but her peculiar nature is evident from her first scene. She always seems to be several steps ahead of everyone else. These are the positives.
The downside? Well, she’s essentially the gatekeeper of Hell, I believe. I’m sorry, but I’m not one of those people fascinated by the idea of visiting Hell. Nor am I desperate enough to pursue a relationship with Hell’s gatekeeper, and I hope I never will be.
The movie ends on a notably ambiguous note, with the two engaging in fiery intimacy and her revealing a rather unsettling face. Depp, however, seemed to be enjoying himself. He eventually walks into a mysterious light. Is it Hell? Heaven? Or perhaps a meeting with her father to seek dating approval? It’s unclear, as the ending is intentionally vague, but it likely wasn’t as thrilling as the Three Musketeers party they crashed the previous night.
4. The Voice 12 Monkeys
What makes The Voice in 12 Monkeys so fascinating is its mysterious origin. While the film’s plot revolves around the fate of humanity, its core lies in the psychological impact of time travel on James Cole. The Voice first appears in 1990 during Cole’s initial journey back in time, while he’s isolated in a psychiatric hospital. Cole engages in a conversation with The Voice, questioning its source, and it taunts him by suggesting it could be a man in the next cell, a spy in the vents, or simply a figment of his imagination—the most plausible explanation.
Try to imagine being in Cole’s position. Picture this: every time you’re alone, a voice starts mocking you, repeatedly calling you Bob for no apparent reason. To make matters worse, the voice sounds like Shane MacGowan looks. That would become irritating in no time.
Interestingly, a homeless man appears in a later scene with the same voice as The Voice. This was likely included to suggest that it’s not just a figment of Cole’s imagination. However, that bum didn’t resemble any spy I’ve ever seen, and I’d love to see him attempt to navigate the psychiatric ward’s ventilation system.
3. Mystery Man Lost Highway
When I first watched Lost Highway, a few years after its release, it genuinely unsettled me. The entire film has a disorienting atmosphere, which is exactly what David Lynch aims for. While I wouldn’t call it my favorite Lynch film, nor one of his best, one element stands out (aside from the incredible soundtrack): Robert Blake’s final theatrical role as The Mystery Man. And boy, is he enigmatic.
Fred Madison arrives at his friend Andy’s lavish party, but he’s already on edge due to a series of mysterious videotapes appearing at his home. These tapes show an intruder entering Fred’s house, rummaging through his belongings, and even filming Fred and his wife while they sleep. At the party, Fred encounters the Mystery Man, adorned in eerie, pancake-like makeup, and engages in one of the strangest and most unsettling conversations ever captured on film. I’ll let you experience it for yourself…
This entire scenario becomes even more unsettling, perhaps the creepiest of all, because this was essentially the last we saw of Blake before he (allegedly) murdered Bonnie Lee Bakly. Well, now I might have to consider adding O.J. as Nordberg in Naked Gun to the list…
2. The Tall Man The Phantasm series
Even if I encountered Angus Scrimm (the actor behind The Tall Man) in real life, I’d probably be terrified. He has an inherently monstrous appearance. It was oddly amusing to see him in Phantasm 4 as the gentle, elderly farmer who gets abducted and transformed into a terrifying, immortal, inter-dimensional entity. He initially seemed like a friendly, towering grandfather. Yet, you could sense it wouldn’t last—this man will forever be The Tall Man, eternally creepy. It’s remarkable how iconic he’s become in the horror community, especially considering the Phantasm series isn’t at the top of the horror classic hierarchy.
The Tall Man’s origins are somewhat complex. As mentioned, he was once a farmer until his body became a vessel for the leader of an otherworldly race. Discovering a portal to Earth, he posed as a funeral director, systematically eliminating small-town residents and converting them into his army. By the series’ end, it’s unclear how much territory they’ve conquered, but it seems extensive. The series is undeniably dark, with an equally sinister protagonist.
1. The Derelict Hellraiser
From what I can gather, The Derelict’s purpose in the Hellraiser series is to recover the puzzle box after it’s been abandoned, ensuring it can be resold and the cycle repeated. Clearly not human, he transforms into a massive flying creature by the end of the first film. Yet, despite his otherworldly nature, he seems to lack basic hygiene—he’s the filthiest individual I’ve ever seen, and I’ve spent time with anarchists. If the grime isn’t enough to unsettle you, consider his diet: apparently, he survives on crickets.
He might—or might not—be the severed head mounted on that death pole in the Cenobite realm. This character is versatile in many ways, but avoiding creepiness is definitely not one of his strengths.
