Billy – Black Christmas
You wouldn’t have Michael Myers if it weren’t for Billy from Black Christmas. Director Bob Clark set the stage for the slasher movie genre with his killer who preys on assertive young women. Billy’s uncontrollable rage and the grisly violence he unleashes stand out from other killers in the genre. The terrifying sounds of his prank calls add to the horror of the film. Radheyan Simonpillai
Annie Wilkes – Misery
Annie Wilkes from Misery is the original toxic superfan. Her obsessive love for an author leads her to commit horrific acts. Annie’s character explores the dark side of fandom and obsession. Her actions are both demonic and saccharine, making her a complex and terrifying villain. Alaina Demopoulos
M3gan – M3gan
M3gan blends the creepy potential of children’s toys with AI to create a campy yet horrifying movie. The film explores the fears of AI turning against humans and the uncanny valley effect. The movie balances frights with humor, making it absurd and terrifying at the same time. Veronica Esposito
- Billy inspired Michael Myers
- Annie Wilkes is a toxic superfan
- M3gan mixes children’s toys and AI
