A few years ago, we wrote about our favourite one-shot horror movie villains – those monsters of the big screen who only got a single movie, as opposed to those who have been at the wrong end of a churned-out franchise or two. But, since then, a few more iconic villains have come to our attention, and that’s what we’d like to get our teeth (and machetes) into today. Let’s talk the best of horror movie villains who only got a single film – and whether they need their own franchise!
The Ranger – The Ranger (2018)
Jenn Wexler’s outrageously fun teen slasher romp, in 2018, introduced the world of horror cinema to one of my all-time favourite villains: the Ranger. Jeremy Holm plays the unnamed park ranger terrorizing a group of on-the-run punks against the backdrop of a beautiful national park, and let me tell you, the pure camp fun of this bad guy cannot be overstated. The subversion of the killer as a figure of order and systemic control is interesting enough to start with, but Holm and Wexler ramp it up to eleven as he po-facedly delivers the “take only memories, leave only footprints”-esque suggestions of National Park rules while decimating someone with a bear trap.
Sequel Potential: Yes! I could watch endless movies of Holm yelling sub-clauses at hapless would-be travellers while he sprays the surrounding area with enough gore to put out a forest fire – sequel, series, franchise, the lot, thank you so much.
Pirate Ghosts – The Fog (1980)
For a master of horror like John Carpenter, it is surprising how few of his films get sequels. Sure, The Thing got a prequel, and Snake rode again in a hellscape Los Angeles, but the monsters in his films seem to be contained to a one-off. The Fog, despite the terrible remake that no one acknowledges, is a movie that has to be a one-and-done due to its tight plot. The titular Fog is a portent for the coming of vengeful pirate ghosts that were screwed over by the ancestors of a seaside town who will, unfortunately have to pay the bloody debt. The ghosts, shrouded in fog, with amazingly creepy glowing eyes, are the antagonists of this underrated small town ghost story, and the unique design and concept elevates them to downright excellence.
Sequel Potential: None – The Fog’s story is so specific to the town and the situation that it would feel too obviously put together for the pirates to return. I mean, did they forget something?
Mimi – P.G. Psycho Goreman (2020)
You know you are going to get something weird and completely unforgettable from The Void co-director Steven Kostanski, and he did not disappoint with P.G. Psycho Goreman. Though, if you have seen this film (if you haven’t, you should, it’s a crazy delight), you’ll not be at all surprised that I’m not picking evil alien ultimate warlord Psycho Goreman. No, there is someone much scarier, much more imposing, far crazier in this movie – and that is Mimi. While Mimi ends the film in heroic fashion, she blazes a trail of blood, destruction, and turning boys into massive brains. Oh, and if I forgot to mention – she’s a tiny child! She’s an amazing subversion of what you’re expecting from a movie with this title, and sneaks under the radar as a far more formidable villain.
Sequel Potential: It is possible, though with the kids not being kids anymore, a sequel would lose that child-adventure-drowned-in blood-and-guts feel of this film. Like The Fog, it is the specificity of P.G. Psycho Goreman that makes it so brilliant, but Nita Josee Hanna would be a welcome return just to see what else she would do with the character.
Who are your favourite one-shot horror movie villains? And which do you think need a sequel or a series to really fulfil their potential? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this article and want to see more stuff like it, please consider supporting us on Ko-Fi!
By Lou MacGregor and Kevin Boyle
(header image via Gayly Dreadful)
No But Listen 