Buzz
Despite the advancements in modern filmmaking to craft characters devoid of human traits, audiences still gravitate towards humanoid forms for relatability. To transform a humanoid fictional character into something alien, terrifying, or even repulsive, adding tentacles is a simple yet effective method. Tentacles immediately conjure images of the octopus, an enigmatic deep-sea dweller rarely seen in daily life. Their long, flexible, and numerous nature can evoke a sense of threat. Psychologically, tentacles also draw parallels to snakes, tapping into a nearly universal fear. Freud might even suggest that snakes symbolize the phallus, though this discussion will steer clear of tentacle-related adult content. Instead, let's explore how tentacles have been used in pop culture to create characters that are distinctly unsettling or grotesque.
1. Monster from Outer Space
In the 1958 film I Married a Monster from Outer Space, a chilling scenario unfolds as Marge Bradley discovers her husband Bill's body has been taken over by a tentacled alien. These extraterrestrial males have come to Earth with the intent to reproduce with human women. The horrifying realization that she has been intimate with a monster adds a layer of psychological terror to the story.
2. Squidward Tentacles
Squidward, a colleague and acquaintance of Spongebob Squarepants, serves as a stark contrast to Spongebob's cheerful and energetic demeanor. With a pessimistic and often grumpy disposition, Squidward is more irritating than menacing, perhaps due to his six tentacles or simply because he exists in a cartoon world.
3. Purple Tentacle
This character doesn’t merely possess tentacles—he is entirely made of them! Purple Tentacle, the antagonist in the video game Maniac Mansion: Day of the Tentacle, originated in the first Maniac Mansion game alongside Green Tentacle. In the sequel, Purple Tentacle grows arms and turns evil, taking on a central role. He also makes a cameo in the game Zombies Ate My Neighbors.
4. Ursula
In Disney’s 1989 film The Little Mermaid, the malevolent sea witch Ursula is portrayed as a terrifying octopus. With no redeeming qualities, she embodies the fearsome image of deep-sea creatures, particularly for young audiences.
5. Davy Jones
In the second and third installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End, the pirate Davy Jones is portrayed as a grotesque sea creature adorned with tentacles. His repulsive look cements his role as the antagonist in the second film, though it creates a sense of contradiction when he later aligns with the main pirates in the third movie.
6. District 9 Aliens
In Neill Blomkamp's 2009 film District 9, the extraterrestrial beings are mockingly referred to as "prawns." Their design emphasizes their alien nature, featuring tentacle-like facial appendages that underscore their stark difference from humans, symbolizing the challenges of integrating an intelligent immigrant species.
7. Dr. Zoidberg
Dr. John Zoidberg, the bumbling physician from the TV show Futurama, is classified as a crustacean rather than a cephalopod. However, his facial appendages unmistakably resemble tentacles, and he even exhibits octopus-like traits, such as squirting ink.
8. Doctor Octopus
In the Marvel Comics universe, Otto Octavius is a nuclear physicist who designed a set of mechanical tentacle-like arms. After a nuclear accident fused these arms to his body, he gained the ability to control them telepathically, even post-surgical removal. As the supervillain Doctor Octopus, he frequently clashes with Spider-Man and other heroes.
9. Kraken
The Kraken, a mythical sea creature, is often depicted as an enormous octopus or squid. Legends describe it masquerading as a massive island and attacking sailors who lit fires on its back. These tales, possibly inspired by encounters with giant squids, date back centuries. The Kraken has appeared in films like the 1981 Clash of the Titans and its 2010 remake, as well as the 2006 TV movie Kraken: Tentacles of the Deep. Its most iconic portrayal was in the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, where it famously consumes Captain Jack Sparrow and his entire ship.
10. Cthulhu
Undoubtedly, the most iconic tentacled figure on the internet is Cthulhu, originating from H. P. Lovecraft's tale "The Call of Cthulhu." This ancient deity emerges from the ocean to torment humanity, inspiring widespread fascination. The terror associated with Cthulhu has led to the creation of fan clubs, blogs, artworks, games, a political campaign, and various projects aimed at making his overwhelming presence more relatable.
This list is far from complete. Feel free to share other tentacled characters in the comments below.
