Thehorrorgenre has evolved over time, with certain tropes, conventions, and expectations becoming defining elements of its storytelling. From the ominous use of dark, isolated locations like haunted houses to the ill-fated choices made by characters who venture into danger, these conventions have often dictated who lives and who meets a grisly end. Take the “final girl” trope for example, where a resourceful and virtuous woman character often emerges as the sole survivor (perGame Rant). Additionally, the demise of characters who engage in reckless behaviors, such as drug use, sexual promiscuity, or alcohol consumption, has become a recurring theme, reinforcing the idea that breaking societal norms leads to death.
However, the beauty of horror cinema lies in its ability to subvert these very expectations. Some characters have emerged as unlikely survivors, defying the odds and genre conventions. Whether it’s a stroke of luck, unanticipated resourcefulness, or atwist in the plot, these survivors have left audiences both shocked. Below is a list of 10 characters that remind us that, in the realm of horror, anything is possible.
10Unamed Mother — The Mist
The Mistfollows a group of people trapped in a supermarket when a mysterious and deadly mist, filled with terrifying creatures, descends upon their town. An unnamed mother, credited simply as the “Woman With Kids at Home,” defies conventional expectations by surviving a horror movie despite her striking lack of character development. Typically, such a minimalistic portrayal suggests expendability in the world of horror cinema.
However, at the end, the film delivers agut-wrenching and bleak conclusion. The survivors, trapped in a car and surrounded by the mysterious mist and its deadly creatures, come to terms with the hopelessness of their situation. But as the lead protagonist makes a fateful decision in a desperate attempt to spare his companions from a more gruesome fate, we’re left with the haunting realization that as the mist clears and military rescue arrives, against all odds this enigmatic mother character remains unscathed.
9Shigeharu Aoyama — The Audition
In Takashi Miike’s gruesome masterpiece,The Audition, Shigeharu Aoyama just wants to find love, but his character’s journey takes an incredibly dark and unpredictable turn as the story progresses. As the audience witnesses the escalating torment he endures at the hands of his date, one can’t help but brace for his inevitable death. The mounting brutality suggests that his fate is sealed, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. However, Miike’s storytelling mastery takes a shocking twist as Aoyama is unexpectedly saved, shattering the anticipated outcome.
8Gabe — Us
In Jordan Peele’sUs, Gabe, the affable and humorous dad character, initially gives off the vibe that he’s destined for an early exit. As the tension builds and the sinister doppelgängers emerge, you’re able to’t help but think this likable, humorous disposition might be a setup for his untimely demise. However, much to our surprise, Gabe defies these expectations and manages to survive the terror that unfolds. It’s this refreshing twist that adds a layer of unpredictability to the film, reminding to always expect the unexpected when experiencing aJordan Peele movie.
7Michael Myers — Halloween
In the originalHalloweenfilm’s iconic ending, the shocking moment that has etched itself into the annals of horror history occurs when we realize that Michael Myers, the relentless masked killer, did not get killed as initially believed. Throughout the movie, tension builds as Laurie Strode, the resourceful protagonist, seemingly manages to fend off this evil killer. However, in a chilling twist, as the climactic showdown reaches its conclusion, we discover that Michael’s lifeless body has vanished from where it had fallen, leaving audiences in a state of shock and dread.
This eerie disappearance, punctuated by the haunting soundtrack, not only added to the film’s suspense, but also laid the foundation for the enduring mystery and fear that surrounds the character of Michael Myers in theHalloweenfranchise. Although, let’s be fair, it has now become expected that regardless of what is thrown at him, Michael Myers has most likely survived the attack. It was in this first movie, though, that it was first implied that there is something more to Mr. Myers than meets the eye.
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6Ted Bowen — Friday the 13th Part 2
Friday the 13th, along with movies likeHalloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, andTexas Chainsaw Massacre, played a pivotal role in shaping the tropes and conventions thatdefine the slasher genreand established the blueprint for countless horror films that followed. However, by the sequel,Friday the 13th Part 2, the franchise decided to play with the very conventions it helped write.
Ted Bowen initially appears as a character seemingly destined for the typical slasher movie ending. He comes across as somewhat obnoxious and, true to form, goes off to get drunk. It’s a setup that usually spells certain doom for characters of his ilk. Yet, in this case it’s a rare example of inebriation actually saving a character’s life as he decides not to return to the camp. This unexpected twist not only saved his life, but also serves as a stark reminder that not all characters in the genre are bound by their fates.
5John Parse — Possessor
Possessoris a mind-bending sci-fi horror film that explores themes of identity and control through a visually arresting and psychologically unsettling narrative starring Sean Bean. Bean has become almostsynonymous with on-screen deathsthroughout his illustrious career. FromGame of ThronestoThe Lord of the Rings, his characters have met their untimely demise in countless ways.
This track record has led audiences to expect his characters to bite the dust, and it’s precisely this reputation that made his survival in the sci-fi horror moviePossessorsuch a startling surprise. In a genre known for its high body count, the fact that Bean’s character lives to see the end credits is nothing short of a revelation.
4He — Antichrist
Lars von Trier’sAntichristis an unsettling and visceral exploration of grief, guilt, and the darkness within human nature. As the film delves deeper into the harrowing psychological landscape of its characters, audiences are led to anticipate a grim fate for Willem Dafoe’s character at the hands of his deeply troubled wife. The oppressive atmosphere and the film’s gradual descent into horror contribute to the sense that his survival is increasingly unlikely.
It comes as a profound shock when Dafoe’s character defies these grim expectations and manages to endure the nightmarish trials inflicted upon him, adding an unexpected twist to an already disturbing and thought-provoking cinematic journey.
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3Wallace Bryton — Tusk
Kevin Smith’sTuskis a cinematic anomaly that truly demands to be witnessed to fully grasp its audacity. What begins as an innocuous premise spirals into an absurd nightmare, leaving audiences in a state of incredulity. Most viewers, understandably so, anticipated the inevitable death of Justin Long’s Wallace character in the film’s bizarre narrative. The primary reason for this is that it seems beyond the realms of belief that it is at all possible for him to actually become the grotesque embodiment of his captor’s twisted desires. But. Yes. He does get physically altered into a human walrus.
2Sally Hardesty — Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Sally Hardesty is undoubtedly one of the luckiest characters in horror history. ThroughoutTexas Chainsaw Massacre, she faces an unrelenting series of unfortunate events, making her survival all the more remarkable. From narrowly escaping Leatherface’s chainsaw-wielding madness to enduring the horrifying dinner scene with his deranged family, Sally’s journey is a relentless nightmare.
Yet, her luck seems to shine through the darkness as she manages to escape from the clutches of her tormentors as she leaps through a window, fleeing the gruesome horrors of Leatherface and his family.
1Dewey Riley — Scream
Deputy Dewey Riley inScreaminitially presents as an incompetent, bumbling police officer, a character ripe for comic relief and, in the eyes of most, easy prey for the film’s masked killer. His seemingly awkward and ineffective demeanor didn’t make him an instant favorite among viewers. However, as the movie unfolds and the subsequent series progresses, Dewey undergoes a remarkable transformation.
Through his unwavering determination and resilience, he transcends his initial portrayal to become one of the most endearing and unlikely survivors in horror history. Despite being the victim of numerous near-fatal attacks and navigating the treacherous terrain of Ghostface’s murderous schemes. That said, many of us still can’t forgive those who decided to kill off this unlikely hero inScream 5!
