Editorials
6 Underappreciated Slasher Villains From the 2000s
A lot of horror fans assume that the “Slasher Flick” was killed off in the 90s, with the most likely culprit being Wes Craven’s loving satire, Scream. While it’s true that the many incarnations of Ghostface helped to expose the subgenre’s overused tropes and weaknesses, slasher movies never really died; they just became less mainstream as the years went by.
Nevertheless, the 2000s actually had a surprising amount of innovative slashers. Not only were we graced with grittier and more menacing re-imaginings of classic villains like Michael Myers and Leatherface, but we also saw quite a few attempts at original antagonists attempting to follow in their footsteps.
That’s why I decided to compile this list of the most underappreciated slasher villains from the 2000s, as I think there’s a lot to love about that strange era in horror when filmmakers tried their best to combat the cynical outlook of a post-Scream world. Naturally, these aren’t the *only* good slashers from that era (hell, we had gems like Hatchet‘s Victor Crowley and arguably even Jigsaw), but characters that I think deserve more attention from horror fans.
Keep in mind that we’ll be focusing on the characters themselves rather than the overall quality of their respective films, and don’t forget to share your own favorites with us in the comments below.
Now, onto the list!
The Reeker – Reeker
A supernatural twist isn’t uncommon among slasher villains, but the Reeker stands out as a rotting harbinger of doom. Created by Dave Payne, this unique antagonist can be described as the physical manifestation of the desert itself, hunting down his ill-fated victims like a death-obsessed force of nature.
His zombie-like gait and dilapidated garments are cool enough, but the Reeker’s characteristic distortion effects are what really cements him as an otherworldly monster. Reeker and its sequel, No Man’s Land: Rise of the Reeker, may not be masterpieces, but the unique premise and memorable villain make them worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some desert-based thrills.
The Mountain Man – Cold Prey
Boasting films like Dead Snow, Trollhunter and Thelma, Norway is no stranger to horror, but one of their most important contributions to the genre has to be the murderous Mountain Man from Cold Prey. For those who haven’t seen it, Cold Prey (originally titled Fritt Vilt) is an unapologetically straightforward slasher with a frigid setting and a badass killer.
The Mountain Man’s design might be deceptively simple, but he more than makes up for that with an intimidating presence and absolutely brutal kills. From a distance, his ragged winter clothing and menacing gait actually give him an “Abominable Snowman” vibe, which adds even more tension to an already-thrilling film and its excellent sequel (better not talk about the third one, though).
Mick Taylor – Wolf Creek
I heard about Wolf Creek long before I actually watched it, as a couple of schoolmates explained the film’s horrific plot to me during recess after having seen it over the weekend. Young Luiz was absolutely terrified by their account, but years later I finally watched the damned movie and fell in love. Greg McLean’s direction is solid and the leads are likable, but Jon Jarratt absolutely steals the show as the lovably psychotic Mick Taylor.
A sociopathic bushman with a deep hatred for tourists, Mick is the pinnacle of Ozploitation terror, and proof that you don’t need a creepy mask or nightmarish mythology to become a memorable slasher villain. In spite of a gritty and down-to-earth first outing, Wolf Creek‘s antagonist was popular enough to return in both an over-the-top sequel and a woefully underseen television show, assuring us that Mick Taylor still prowls the Australian wilderness, having the time of his life gutting unsuspecting travelers.
Babyface – The Hills Run Red
Babyface may be the only killer on this list that never returned in a sequel or spinoff, but that doesn’t make this doll-masked murderer any less memorable. I won’t spoil the fun by revealing the truth behind The Hills Run Red’s spooky antagonist, but suffice to say that this meta-commentary on horror is a surprisingly gruesome throwback to 70s schlock.
In typical slasher form, Babyface first appears to be yet another mute villain, but he actually has one of the most chilling and memorable lines in the movie, as well as an appropriately gnarly design. While I’d love a return to the violent world of Dave Parker’s The Hills Run Red, this original outing still holds up as a satisfying midnight movie with a legitimately scary killer.
Chromeskull – Laid to Rest
The creation of dedicated horror hound Robert Hall, a practical effects god and a damned fine director to boot, Chromeskull is much more than a slick outfit and shiny mask. This snuff-film-producing killer serves as a showcase for Hall’s impressive gore effects and manages to both scare audiences as he pursues innocent victims while also entertaining us with beautifully over-the-top kills.
As I’m writing this, we were just hit with the tragic news that Hall has passed away, leaving behind a treasure trove of contributions to the horror genre. While we may never see the planned third entry in the Laid to Rest saga (it wouldn’t feel right to have anyone else behind the camera on these films), Chromeskull will remain as an indie icon, created by a die-hard horror fan for the enjoyment of others like him.
The Collector – The Collector
The Collector holds a special place in my heart as one of my favorite horror films and an example of why slasher movies would benefit from more likable protagonists. Josh Stewart’s resourceful thief Arkin is just as memorable as the hulking Collector himself (wonderfully played by Juan Fernández), and seeing them face off against each other among nasty deathtraps makes for a thrilling experience.
However, this list is all about the villains, and I can’t even remember the last time we saw a killer as dedicated to his gruesome craft as the devious Collector. Armed with cruel devices and a creepy leather mask (not to mention those eerie dead eyes), the Collector intimidates both physically and psychologically, always one step ahead of his unfortunate victims.
The Collection may have gone a bit too far in exaggerating the killer’s abilities, but I’m still dying to see another sequel. Unfortunately, The Collected was apparently abandoned by producers after only 8 days of shooting, so we can only hope that Marcus Dunstan and his crew can somehow regain the rights to the production and let the Collector wreak havoc once more.
No conversation about cartoons based on live-action movies is ever complete without mentioning The Real Ghostbusters.
This animated continuation is, warts and all, a notable example of turning a hit movie into a hit series. And although the new target demographic skewed a little younger, even kids-at-heart could partake in the further adventures of Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Winston Zeddemore and Egon Spengler.
For a good part of its run, the show required fans to wait at least a week for more Ghostbustin’. That’s torture for a kiddo. Luckily, though, the entire series, or at least most of it, is now available for streaming.
So, as you revisit The Real Ghostbusters on Tubi—for now it’s just the first five seasons there—use this guide to help prioritize some must-see episodes.
The Boogieman Cometh
“The Boogieman Cometh” (Season 1)
Season One’s “The Boogieman Cometh” is a classic episode featuring one of the show’s more iconic villains. It’s hard to forget the unique character design used for the Boogieman (whose creepy voice was provided by Ray and Slimer’s actor, Frank Welker). In this story, Egon is reunited with that bump-in-the-night entity who haunted his own childhood, all while trying to keep him away from his latest targets: the brother and sister claiming to have the Boogieman in their closet. Although the Ghostbusters do save the day here, the Boogieman eventually returns (“The Bogeyman Is Back“). That same episode also features the love-’em-or-hate-’em Junior Ghostbusters.
Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream
“Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream” (Season 1)
You could say the namesake of “Mr. Sandman, Dream Me a Dream” had good intentions for putting mankind to sleep for the next few centuries—he wanted to end war and keep everyone dreaming. Sounds nice until you remember that whole free will business. But when it seems like the Ghostbusters have lost to their latest foe, the last one standing, Winston, gains a sudden ally. Janine’s dream of becoming a Ghostbuster is manifested, and she helps put this rogue spirit to bed.
When Halloween Was Forever
“When Halloween Was Forever” (Season 1)
Before the show’s execs capitalized on Slimer’s popularity by making him the focus of later episodes, early stories like “When Halloween Was Forever” better utilized that gooey ghost. Here, the spirit of Halloween itself, Samhain, hopes to make the holiday a permanent thing by stopping time. And who does the embodiment of All Hallows’ Eve use in his nefarious plot? Slimer, of course. Thankfully, the lil’ green bud knows where he really belongs, and Samhain is banished (at least until Season 3’s “Halloween II 1/2“).
Night Game
“Night Game” (Season 2)
Because Season Two was rather long, in comparison to other seasons, it accumulated quite a few solid episodes. One of the most beloved, though, is that ultimate good-versus-evil story, “Night Game“. Winston gets to shine here as he participates in a battle that was 500 years in the making. Except this time, the fighting is done on the baseball field. The other-dimensional settings in The Real Ghostbusters are always great, but the one here is particularly memorable.
Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin
“Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin” (Season 2)
Not all ghosts and whatnot were bad in The Real Ghostbusters. As “Drool, the Dog-Faced Goblin” showed, some were actually benevolent. Sadly, it took a lot of convincing, and one very heroic act, for Peter and the others to see past this goblin’s grotesque appearance. The heroes find more than one shapeshifter at a sideshow carnival in the Poconos; a sinister Class-4er called the Metamorph does a swell job of menacing the Ghostbusters before they finally realize Drool’s not their culprit. The good guys indeed win here, but that victory is a bittersweet one.
The Collect Call of Cathulhu
“The Collect Call of Cathulhu” (Season 2)
While “The Collect Call of Cathulhu” does misspell “Cthulhu” in the title (probably to avoid legal issues), it is clearly the Old One in this Lovecraft-inspired episode. The story kicks off with the Necronomicon being stolen by the deity’s modern-day cult, who then raise their ancient god at Coney Island. From there, the Ghostbusters’ typical methods don’t work on the big guy, so they seek advice from an old issue of Weird Tales (or “Wierd Tales”, as it’s spelled on screen). That build-up to the finale comes with a decent amount of dread before the Ghostbusters, as well as a scholar named Alice, face off with one of the show’s most powerful entities.
Knock, Knock
“Knock, Knock” (Season 2)
A number of Real Ghostbusters episodes could be reworked into big-screen features, but perhaps “Knock, Knock” is the most hopeful. It helps that this story feels in step with the first two movies. Here, some ignorant construction workers accidentally uncover and open an ancient door in the subway. What’s behind said door is none other than those unspeakable evils that only the Ghostbusters can quell. A good deal of the imagery here is prime for adaptation.
The Grundel
“The Grundel” (Season 3)
One of the darker episodes, which was written by the prominent J. Michael Straczynski, is “The Grundel“. Here, a boy is being influenced by the titular entity, a type of ghost who ultimately turns his targets into new Grundels. The episode does have something of an after-school special quality to it, but that doesn’t take away from the eerier moments. For more Grundel lore, be sure to check out the episode “Grundelesque” from the sequel series, Extreme Ghostbusters.
Standing Room Only
“Standing Room Only” (Season 4)
It’s no secret that The Real Ghostbusters experienced multiple changes after the second season. Out of all of them, though, retooling the show so that Slimer would get more of the spotlight is maybe the most egregious. Thankfully, Season Four (the first to be called Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters) didn’t completely obey that new directive; episodes like “Standing Room Only” felt more like the old days. The focus here was on the well-being of the city and its people, rather than on the series’ green mascot (or the Junior Ghostbusters). In the episode, Peter’s new ghost attractor isn’t to blame for the ensuing chaos; the ghost-eating Mee-Krah is what’s really imperiling everyone. And the Ghostbusters must dish out everything they have to avoid a doomsday situation.
The Halloween Door
“The Halloween Door” (Season 5)
While many fans will skip the later seasons in their rewatches, episodes like “The Halloween Door” are still worth checking out. This colorful helping of Halloween pandemonium premiered on primetime, so the animation is better than usual. And save for a random musical moment, it’s an enjoyable event. Here, a group of anti-Halloweeners tries to cancel the holiday, but they only end up making things worse by unleashing a baddie named Boogaloo.
The first five seasons of The Real Ghostbusters are available on Tubi, starting on July 15.
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