I thought for this list, I would honor the best characters in horror cinema. No, not the goodie good guys or the sadistically mean villains that we loathe, I’m talking about the grade A Badasses.
To be a badass in a horror film, you need to not be afraid to break the rules, have spunk, attitude, strength, ruthlessness, a sense of humor, and to appear to be fearless. You don’t have to be BAD to be a Badass, you just have to have a “Sarah Connor” attitude. Here is my list of compassionately-challenged characters we can’t help but love.
WARNING HUGE FREAKING SPOILERS – READ AT YOUR OWN
RISK!
1. Sex Machine-From Dusk Till Dawn
Every time I go see a movie, and see a Tom Savini cameo, I always hear someone in the audience blurt out, “Sex Machine!” “Sex Machine’s” role may have been small, but it was definitely one of the most memorable parts in the vampire flick. This biker definitely knew how to kick vampire ass, and who can forget the infamous crotch gun? When he eventually changes into a vampire, he still doesn’t lose any attitude or personality that makes his character interesting and so damn funny . This man is the ultimate BADASS in my books.
2. Ellen Ripley-ALIEN LEGACY
I have to say Ripley is probably the first strong female character in a movie that made us women cheer. Watching her kick ugly alien ass, was definitely a treat. Even though she bit the big one in the third film, I was never more eager to see the fourth film. (Despite the fact that Sigourney played a clone, and Winona Ryder’s awful acting.) Sigourney Weaver is definitely the best part of the series, and the Ripley-less and horrific Alien vs. Predator should prove that.
3. Ash-THE EVIL DEAD SERIES
Admit it. If it wasn’t for Bruce Campbell, this series wouldn’t have had such a major impact in the horror genre today. His humor and strength were key elements in making Ash the character we all love today. If you can kill your possessed girlfriend, cut off your possessed hand, get transported in some alternate universe and still want to be fight demons, then you my friend are one bad ass muthaf*cker.
4. Beatrix Kiddo (a.k.a The Bride)-KILL BILL
This Hattori Hanzo sword loving chick is one not to be messed with. This woman deserves to be on this list for she amazingly kills everyone who was involved in her attempted murder with absolutely no mercy. Also, when you can wear a pair of cheesy Elvis glasses and drive a “Pussy Wagon” and still look cool and fearless, you are definitely one badass chick.
5. Otis-HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES/THE DEVIL’S REJECTS
Otis was definitely the badass in the Firefly family. We first saw him as the stringy haired albino monster in House of 1000 Corpses, and then saw him transform into the Anti-Christ in the sequel. He went from one extreme to the next, but he never lost his edge, in fact he even got more sadistic and had a level of coolness that no one else in the Firefly family could touch. Even though his actions were sick and morally unjust, you can’t help but like this outrageous character.
6. Marv-SIN CITY
I couldn’t decide whether Marv was a good-hearted vigilante or a cold-hearted psychopath, but whatever he was, I was rooting for him. This merciless badass brutally murders all the people involved in Goldie’s death, and as morbid as this sounds, you can’t help but laugh at the obscene and elaborate ways he goes about it. This character was tough, bruting, lethal, and had great tastes in leather coats.(Mickey Rourke is the man!)
7. David-THE LOST BOYS
Kiefer Sutherland may be getting more recognition now because of his good guy role in the television show, 24, but it was his bad boy roles that got him on the map, particularly his role in The Lost Boys. In my opinion, David was the coolest character in the film.(well beside s the “Frog Brothers” of course) Being the leader of the vampire gang, he stood out with an amazing presence, and when the audience finally sees David transform into a vampire, it is definitely one of the most frightening moments in the film. But what made David even more bad ass? The funky wardrobe and hair. (I’m a sucker for 80’s nostalgia I tell you!)
8. John Ryder-THE HITCHER
You gotta love Rutger Hauer. The man is a badass in everything he’s in, but it’s his chilling portrayal of the psychopathic drifter that made him make this list. Even though this character was completely crazy, you couldn’t help but admire his fearlessness, attitude, and creepy grin. Not only did he keep C. Thomas Powell on his toes, he also kept the audience on their toes as well. Especially the part when he ties Jennifer Jason Leigh up to two trucks. Intense!!
9. Ben-NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
Ben is one of my favourite cult bad asses because he was very life smart. He had very strong survival skills( despite his ironic and ill fated death at the end of the movie.) and he was one of those characters who never made you want to scream “You idiot!” at the television screen. Also, being part African-American myself, I found it refreshing to see a black man portraying the hero, instead of playing the obligatory first kill in a horror movie. But, the number one reason why he is a badass is for rightfully slapping that silly and helpless twit, Barbara. (*Rewind the scene when you get to it…it never gets old!)
10. Whistler- BLADE TRILOGY
Many people will probably argue with me, and say that Blade is the best badass in this trilogy, but I beg to differ. I’m sorry, but to me, Blade was such a bland character. The man had no personality. Whistler, on the other hand was full of personality. He was older, but that did not affect his fighting skills or his strength. This foul-mouthed humorous vampire slayer was one of the best characters in the series, and maybe if they hadn’t killed his character off in the very first act of the last film, maybe that movie wouldn’t have sucked as much as it did.
