In horror set around Halloween, it’s the holiday setting and iconography that steals the spotlight. The colors of autumn, jack o’ lanterns, costume parties, and all things related to Halloween captured visually on screen. It’s also the villains of Halloween horror that dominate discourse. What’s October without Michael Myers? Or Angela from Night of the Demons. Or even the Headless Horseman.
But there’s one aspect of Halloween horror that doesn’t get nearly as much attention; the heroes and protagonists that honor holiday tradition as well as save the day, ensuring everyone will live to see another Halloween.
Here are 10 of the most unsung heroes of Halloween-set horror.
The Scarecrow – Dark Night of the Scarecrow
This 1981 made-for-television movie might’ve framed the Scarecrow as a terrifying presence, but the motives behind his murder spree make him less a villain and more a Halloween avenging angel. When a group of vigilantes murder mentally challenged Bubba Ritter (Larry Drake) for a crime that never actually happened, they’re exonerated in court. Shortly after, right around Halloween, a mysterious Scarecrow appears in the fields. One by one, the men find themselves stalked and killed by it. Bubba gets the justice he deserved, and that small town is cleaned of its most unsavory people. It’s a win win.
Christopher Hawley – Murder Party
Christopher is a lonely but extremely polite man that lives alone with his cat, Sir Lancelot. He decides to break out of his comfort zone and attend a Halloween party from an invitation found on the street, dubbed “Murder Party.” Like a good guest, he assembles a costume from scratch and bakes pumpkin raisin bread to bring along, because etiquette says you should never show up empty-handed. He soon discovers that the party theme is literal, and he’s now the intended victim. A long night of survival sparks an internal journey of growth, and plenty of gory laughs. Homemade costumes and Halloween baked goods would make Christopher a Halloween winner as it is, but that he finally embraces his inner strength makes him a hero as well.
Ernest P. Worrell – Ernest Scared Stupid
Of all the family-friendly Halloween horror movies, Ernest Scared Stupid doesn’t come up in conversation as much as it should during October. Of all the Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) movies, this one is the best. Sure, the bumbling Ernest is technically to blame for unleashing the demonic troll in the first place, but he’s also the one who saves the day. How? With the heart of a child and unconditional love. That sums up Ernest in a nutshell; he might not be the brightest, but he’s got an innocent heart of gold. Using it to save Briarville, Missouri on Halloween makes for a seasonal treat that at least deserves an annual spot on Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween programming. Or any TV channel, really.
Rodger – Night of the Demons
Judy is presented as the central protagonist and final girl of this ‘80s favorite, but Rodger is the true hero of the film. He’s clearly well versed in horror, or at least self-preservation, because the moment he gets a whiff that something is wrong with the place he searches for an exit. When he can’t find one, he locks himself in a car outside. A move that keeps him shielded from most of Hull House’s demonic activity. Eventually, he’s pulled back into the fray, but Rodger never loses sight of what’s important- getting the hell out of there. It’s Rodger who figures a way out, and it’s because of Rodger that “final girl” Judy even survives in the first place. He’s the true MVP.
Eddie Weinbauer – Trick or Treat
Eddie is a bullied outcast in his high school, made even lonelier by the passing of his heavy metal hero Sammi Curr. But Sammi isn’t really gone; he has sinister and deadly plans to implement from beyond the grave. Plans that involve a lot of death on Halloween night. He offers Eddie a chance to get revenge on his bullies. When Eddie realizes Sammi has serious physical harm in mind, he balks. Even when his classmates don’t deserve his mercy, Eddie is a genuinely kind person. He not only spares them the cruelty they likely have coming; he saves the town from Sammi’s madness on Halloween night.
Anna Peterson – The Guest
A stylish action film by way of Halloween, The Guest is one cool Halloween-themed movie. Even cooler is its protagonist, Anna Peterson (Maika Monroe). Like everyone else, she falls under David’s spell when he first arrives at the Peterson family’s doorstep. It doesn’t take long for her to realize something is off about him, though, and acts on her suspicions in a smart way. She’s savvy and brave like your standard Final Girl, but she’s far more modern than that. A rebellious streak, hanging with the wrong crowd, and a penchant for drinking at parties makes her more the Annie Bracket type than a Laurie Strode. It’s refreshing.
Anton Tobias – Idle Hands
In terms of Halloween horror (or horror-comedies in this case), Idle Hands sometimes feels like an underdog. So, too, does reluctant hero Anton (Devon Sawa). All he really wants is to get stoned and do, well, nothing. Too bad his hand becomes possessed by Satan and sets off on a murder spree, which includes Anton’s friends and family. Anton steps up to save the day, and his final showdown with his hand takes place on Halloween. Sawa infuses the stoner with amiable charm and though Anton’s not your average horror hero type, he’s an unsung Halloween hero worth discussing more.
Brigitte Fitzgerald – Ginger Snaps
Sure, Ginger is the assertive older sister, the one featured in the film’s title, and the spotlight stealer thanks to her lycanthropy, but the true hero is Brigitte. Not that that’s a surprise to anyone who’s seen the film. Even still, Brigitte doesn’t often get the credit she deserves. Not only did she step out of her sister’s shadow and save the day – right at Halloween no less- but she continued the fight in Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed. A sequel that did her so wrong. Brigitte deserves better.
Rhonda – Trick ‘r Treat
It’s Halloween enforcer Sam that serves as the connective tissue in this holiday horror anthology, and it’s Sam that takes center stage with merchandise tie-ins. That’s understandable, as he’s Halloween personified and a champion of tradition. Yet it’s Rhonda that offers up the film’s biggest moment of karma. Said to be a savant, Rhonda is a Halloween fanatic. Her yard is adorned with jack ‘o lanterns, and her costume of choice is the classic witch. It’s Rhonda that explains Samhain and the purpose of a jack ‘o lantern on Halloween night, and it comes into play in an integral way when her classmates lure her away from home for a mean prank. Our Halloween hero Rhonda comes away shaken, but just fine after teaching her bullies a valuable Halloween lesson.
Rachel Carruthers – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Laurie Strode is the one that sparked the very concept of the Final Girl, and the hero that faces off against Michael Myers time and time again. In Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, the film introduces a new final girl in Rachel Carruthers, foster sister to Strode’s daughter Jamie Lloyd. Before Michael Myers even shows up, we get to know Rachel as a normal teenager girl. One that wants to date and have fun with friends but is torn by familial responsibility. Ellie Cornell imbues her character with warmth and complexity that makes Rachel feel less a Final Girl and more an average person facing horrific circumstances. She’s also less a survivor and more of a fierce protector. The lengths she goes to protect and save Jamie Lloyd deserves major respect. It’s because Rachel is such a great Halloween hero that this sequel works. It’s also because of Rachel’s unceremonious early demise in Halloween 5 that it’s one of the worst sequels.