Throughout the years, the horror genre has created many iconic villains. From silent stalkers like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees to the wisecracking audience favorite Freddy Krueger, franchises have been spawned based on the strength of these villains' characters alone. With these villains spanning decades and cultivating a cult of personality, it's easy to overlook some of the other villains that have emerged over the years.
This list looks at five of the most underappreciated and overlooked horror movie villains of the 2010s. Featuring otherworldly monsters, freaky clowns, and regular-looking people hiding in plain sight, these movies feature villains that should be more recognized for their ability to frighten.
Lucille Sharpe – Crimson Peak
Guillermo Del Toro's haunting, sumptuous gothic ghost story stars Tom Hiddleston as Thomas Sharpe, Mia Wasikowska as Edith Cushing, and Jessica Chastain as Lucille Sharpe, the latter of whom is Thomas' chilling sister. When Edith meets Thomas Sharpe, she soon finds herself enamored with him and married. She moves into his family home, also occupied by his cold and distant sister Lucille. Edith soon sees portents of doom and horrific ghosts around Allerdale Hall and finds herself embroiled in a mystery she could have never imagined.
In a film filled with gruesome-looking spirits and visions of death, the real villain of the piece is Lucille Sharpe. A cold and calculating serial killer, Lucille is in an incestuous relationship with her brother, and they have been duping rich women into marrying Thomas and then killing them for their money. Although Thomas attempts to redeem himself during the film, Lucille stays focused on her goals right until her brutal end.
Art the Clown – Terrifier
Beginning as a character in several short films, Art came to prominence first in the 2011 anthology film All Hallows Eve and then found further fame in his own starring villain role in 2016s Terrifier. Art stalks his victims through the city while toting a garbage bag full of weapons, a mute but highly expressive and creepy clown. Brutal kills and theatrical displays mark Art's reign of terror as he fixates on one woman, mowing down anyone that gets in his way.
Animated and extreme in his kills, Art's unique look and demeanor have made him a cult hit, even leading to the release of a Terrifier sequel later in 2022. Art may not be a household name yet, but his uniqueness should be more than enough to elevate him to slasher movie infamy.
Red – Us
In Jordan Peele's Us, a family is confronted by government-created genetic clones known as the Tethered. Comprised of mother Adelaide, father Gabe, and children Zora and Jason, the Wilson family is enjoying a vacation when the Tethered start to appear. The family is subjected to a night of terror as their clones stalk and torture them, wishing to untether their souls and live a life of freedom in the sun. As Adelaide's clone Red leads the charge, it becomes clear that they are not the only Tethered in the country.
As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that Red is different from the other Tethered; she has more autonomy and intelligence in her actions. As Adelaide recalls her early encounter as a child with Red in a funhouse, the waters become muddy as to who is truly Adelaide and what is right and wrong. Not only is Red a menacing and relentless figure, but she also has a killer look, dressed in a red jumpsuit, one leather glove, and wielding a golden pair of scissors.
Krampus
2015 Christmas horror film Krampus sees Max Engel and the rest of his family lose the meaning of the season. While a Hallmark movie would end with the family coming together and rediscovering the Christmas spirit, Krampus is a little less forgiving. The ungratefulness of the family calls down the wrath of Krampus, a figure from Austrian and Bavarian folklore who punishes those who don't believe in the spirit of the season.
The demon isolates the family and the surrounding suburb in a freak blizzard before sending its minions, creepy snowmen, and terrifying toys to lay siege to the family in their home. Krampus deserves to be a more iconic film and a more iconic titular villain. Not only does Krampus simply not care bout whether his victims are remorseful or not, but he is also wearing what appears to be a Santa Claus skin suit.
Bughuul – Sinister
Despite frequently being named one of the scariest movies of all time, the main villain from the 2012 horror Sinister is often overlooked. Bughuul is a monster that murders families and steals their children, all while recording it on film. Crime writer Ellison Oswalt moves his family into a home where previous murders took place where he discovers a projector and film reels in the attic. The film reels cover multiple decades and multiple murders, and once he views them, strange things begin to happen in the house.
Bughuul is an excellent villain, where images of him serve as a gateway to allow him into the world. His use of film to perpetuate his existence is genius, ensuring that he will always have access to families and a means to control their children. Bughuul is a particularly insidious villain, using children to do his dirty work while reveling in the destruction of both youth and life.