How Did These Horror Movie Characters Die?
- by Kevin Stewart
- – on
- in Movies and TV
The very nature of horror movies means that people inevitably die in them. In order to keep them interesting, screenwriters and directors have to ensure that the manner in which people die varies massively from movie to movie - it isn't just people being stabbed by masked killers or torn apart by ravenous beasts any more, oh no (although that does still happen, obviously) - and Hollywood has had to start getting truly inventive!
Psychotic humans, supernatural forces, grotesque creatures and various other entities (including the brave characters who sometimes turn the tables on their horror antagonists) have all killed characters in some truly imaginative ways over the years. It can, therefore, be hard to remember how certain death scenes went down.
In this quiz, we'll be asking you if you can remember the ways in which certain characters met their maker in horror movies from all different sub-genres; classic horrors, slasher horrors, psychological horrors, supernatural horrors, horror thrillers, sci-fi horrors, comedy horrors and more. So, can you tell us how these horror movie characters died? We're absolutely dying to find out!
How did Marion die in Psycho?
This is undoubtedly the most famous death in cinema history. If you get this wrong, you need to leave! We're deadly serious about that! Janet Leigh portrayed Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock's iconic 1960 psychological horror movie Psycho. Leigh - who was the mother of Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis, incidentally - also featured in movies like Little Women, Walking My Baby Back Home, Touch of Evil, The Manchurian Candidate and The Fog. But how did Crane's character Marion die in Psycho?
How did Curt die in The Cabin in the Woods?
None other than Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, appeared as Curt Vaughan in Joss Whedon's 2012 innovative horror comedy The Cabin in the Woods. Hemsworth has also appeared in the likes of Star Trek, A Perfect Getaway, Ca$h, numerous movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Snow White and the Huntsman and its sequel The Huntsman: Winter's War, Red Dawn, Rush, Blackhat, Vaction, In the Heart of the Sea and Ghostbusters. But how did Hemsworth's character Curt die in The Cabin in the Woods?
How did Kane die in Alien?
This is another truly iconic movie death - and you probably shouldn't even be thinking about doing this quiz if you get it wrong! The late, great John Hurt played Executive Officer Kane in 1979's iconic sci-fi horror Alien. He died an equally iconic death. Hurt also appeared in movies like 10 Rillington Place, Midnight Express, The Elephant Man, History of the World: Part 1, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, the Harry Potter franchise and the Hellboy franchise. But how did Hurt's character Kane die in Alien?
How did Bill die in Zombieland?
This is, of course, the legend that is Bill Murray. Murray played himself in a brief cameo in 2009's comedy zombie horror movie Zombieland. Murray has appeared in movies such as Caddyshack, Stripes, Tootsie, the Ghostbusters movies, Little Shop of Horrors, Scrooged, Groundhog Day, Space Jam, Rushmore, Charlie's Angels, Osmosis Jones, Lost in Translation, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Get Smart, The Monuments Men, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Aloha and Rock the Kasbah. But how did Murray's character Bill die in Zombieland?
How did Robert die in I Am Legend?
Will Smith played US Army virologist Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neville in 2007's post-apocalyptic horror movie I Am Legend, which was based on Francis Lawrence's 1954 novel of the same name. Smith is, of course, a bona fide A-list star who found fame as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, then went on to have stellar music and movie careers. He has appeared in the likes of the Bad Boys movies, Independence Day, the Men in Black movies, Ali, Hitch, Hancock and Suicide Squad. But how did Smith's character Robert die in I Am Legend?
How did Billy die in Final Destination?
Seann William Scott is probably most famous for playing the crude and obnoxious Steve Stifler in the American Pie series of movies, but a year after he first appeared as Stifler, he appeared in 2000's supernatural horror movie Final Destination as Billy Hitchcock. He has also appeared in the likes of Dude, Where's My Car?, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Bulletproof Monk, The Dukes of Hazzard, Southland Tales and Goon. But how did Scott's character Billy die in Final Destination?
How did Glen die in A Nightmare on Elm Street?
Johnny Depp, of course, has gone on to become a bona fide A-list star and one of the most recognisable faces in the world but, in 1984, he was playing a supporting role as Glen Lantz in the iconic A Nightmare on Elm Street - his first acting role. He has since appeared in the likes of Edward Scissorhands, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Sleepy Hollow and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. But how did Depp's character Glen die in A Nightmare on Elm Street?
How did Jame die in The Silence of the Lambs?
Ted Levine played Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb - a serial killer who skinned his female victims - in 1991's brilliant horror thriller The Silence of the Lambs. Levine has also appeared in the likes of Heat, Flubber, You Can Thank Me Later, Wild Wild West, Evolution, The Fast and the Furious, Ali, The Manchurian Candidate, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Hills Have Eyes, American Gangster and Shutter Island. But how did Levine's character Jame die in The Silence of The Lambs?
How did Lynn die in The Hills Have Eyes?
Vinessa Shaw played new mother Lynn Carter-Bukowski in 2006's remake of 1977's The Hills Have Eyes. Shaw is probably most famous to modern audiences for her role in the Ray Donovan television show, but she has also appeared in movies like Hocus Pocus - which was her breakthrough role - Eyes Wide Shut, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Melinda and Melinda, 3:10 to Yuma, Garden Party and After the Fall. But how did Shaw's character Lynn die in The Hills Have Eyes?
How did Margaret die in Carrie?
Piper Laurie starred as Margaret White in 1976's brilliant supernatural horror movie Carrie - a movie based on Stephen King's 1974 novel of the same name. Laurie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for this role, but she also appeared in movies like The Prince Who Was a Thief, Son of Ali Baba, No Room for the Groom, The Mississippi Gambler, Ain't Misbehavin', Return to Oz, The Faculty and Hounddog. But how did Laurie's character Margaret die in Carrie?
How did Paige die in House of Wax?
Paris Hilton is a terrible actress. Sorry, we just had to get that in there before anything else. The socialite has appeared in some terrible movies - her most prominent arguably being a starring role as Paige Edwards in 2005's House of Wax (a remake of the 1958 movie of the same name). She has also appeared in the likes of Zoolander, The Cat in the Hat, Raising Helen and National Lampoon's Pledge This! But how did Hilton's character Paige die in House of Wax?
How did Stu die in Scream?
Matthew Lillard appeared as one of the two killers - Stu Macher - in the 1996 horror slasher classic Scream, where he was manipulated by Skeet Ulrich's Billy Loomis into brutally murdering several people. His character did, however, ultimately meet the same fate as his victims. Lillard has also appeared in movies like Hackers, She's All That, Thirteen Ghosts, the Scooby Doo franchise, Wicker Park, Without a Paddle, The Groomsmen and Bloodsucking Bastards. But how did Lillard's character Stu die in Scream?
How did Kana die in Hostel?
Ouch! That looks like it hurt! This character seems to be missing an eye (don't tell us you don't remember THAT excruciating scene from this gore-filled movie!). But this injury didn't result in this character dying. Jennifer Lim played Kana in 2005's torture porn horror movie Hostel. Lim has also appeared in the likes of Rogue Trader, Code 46, Pizza Girl, Puritan, Act of Grace, Piercing Brightness, Faraway and A Monster Calls. But how did Lim's character Kana die in Hostel?
How did Xavier die in Saw II?
Xavier Chavez was played by Franky G AKA Frank Gonzales in 2005's Saw II. Xavier was a violent, obnoxious and ignorant man who only thought about himself whilst he and seven other people were trapped inside a house, which was being used as the setting for one of Jigsaw's terrible games. Franky G has also appeared in movies like Manito, Confidence, The Italian Job, Wonderland, The Devil's Tomb and Dead Man Down. But how did Franky G's character Xavier die in Saw II?
How did Karras die in The Exorcist?
The Exorcist truly is a seminal horror classic. The 1973 supernatural horror movie shocked audiences around the world, but it was fantastic. The late Jason Miller - who was also an extremely talented playwright - played Father/Dr. Damien Karras S.J. in the movie. Miller also appeared in the likes of The Nickel Ride, That Championship Season, Monsignor, Toy Soldiers, Light of Day and The Exorcist III - the third instalment in The Exorcist franchise. But how did Miller's character Karras die in The Exorcist?
How did Jud die in Pet Sematary?
The late Fred Gwynne played Jud Crandall in 1989's horror movie Pet Sematary - a movie adaptation of Stephen King's 1983 novel of the same name. Gwynne was arguably most famous for playing Herman Munster in The Munsters television series, but he also appeared in such movies as On the Waterfront, The Cotton Club, The Boy Who Could Fly, The Secret of My Success, Fatal Attraction, Shadows and Fog and My Cousin Vinny. But how did Gwynne's character Jud die in Pet Sematary?
How did Julius die in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan?
Vincent Craig Dupree played the young and talented boxer Julius Gaw in 1989's Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. His character ended up fighting Jason Voorhees on a New York City rooftop after being cornered. After having Jason on the ropes, Julius tired and asked Jason to "take his best shot". It didn't end well for him. Dupree also appeared in movies like Monday Morning, Dutch, South Central and Reckless Kelly. But how did Dupree's character Julius die in Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan?
How did Paul die in Land of the Dead?
The late, great Dennis Hopper played the non-zombie antagonist, Paul Kaufman, in 2005's Land of the Dead - the fourth of George A. Romero's six "Living Dead" series of movies. Kaufman was the ruthless ruler of a city called Fiddler's Green that was safe from the undead. Hopper also starred in movies like Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Cool Hand Luke, Easy Rider, Apocalypse Now, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and Super Mario Bros. But how did Hopper's character Paul die in Land of the Dead?
How did Jill die in Halloween II?
Tawny Moyer played young nurse Jill Franco - a member of the staff who worked at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital where Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie Strode was taken after the events of the previous movie - in 1981's Halloween II, the sequel to John Carpenter's iconic 1978 slasher movie Halloween. Moyer also appeared in movies like California Suite, Looker, A Fine Mess, House of the Rising Sun and Thank Heaven. But do you know how Moyer's character Jill died in Halloween II?
How did this paramedic die in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later?
Nope, it might look like him, but this actually isn't Michael Myers. As the question suggests, this is actually a random, nameless paramedic. While audiences were led to believe it was Michael Myers in 1998's Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, 2002's Halloween: Resurrection revealed that it was actually a paramedic who Myers had dressed in his clothes after destroying his voice box (which explains why he didn't say anything before he was killed). But how did this paramedic die in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later?
How did Amanda die in The Mist?
The Walking Dead's Laurie Holden (she played Andrea in the iconic post-apocalyptic horror television series) played Amanda Dumfries in 2007's The Mist - a movie adaptation of Stephen King's brilliant 1980 horror novella of the same name. Holden has also appeared in movies such as Separate Vacations, Physical Evidence, Expect No Mercy, Past Perfect, The Majestic, Meet Market, Bailey's Billion$, Fantastic Four, Silent Hill, Dumb and Dumber To and Pyewacket. But how did Holden's character Amanda die in The Mist?
How did Eben die in 30 Days of Night?
Josh Hartnett played Sheriff Eben Oleson in 2007's vampire horror movie 30 Days of Night - a movie based on the 2002 IDW Publishing comic book miniseries of the same name. Hartnett has also appeared in movies like Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, The Faculty, The Virgin Suicides, Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Lucky Number Slevin, Girl Walks into a Bar, Stuck Between Stations, Stuck Between Stations and The Ottoman Lieutenant. But how did Hartnett's character Eben die in 30 Days of Night?
How did Marlena die in Cloverfield?
The gorgeous Lizzy Caplan - star of the fantastic television show Masters of Sex - played Marlena Diamond in J.J. Abrams' brilliant 2008 found footage monster horror movie Cloverfield. Caplan has also appeared in movies like Mean Girls, Love is the Drug, My Best Friend's Girl, Hot Tub Time Machine, The Last Rites of Ransom Pride, 127 Hours, Save the Date, Bachelorette, Now You See Me 2, Allied and The Disaster Artist. But how did Caplan's character Marlena die in Cloverfield?
How did Freeburg die in Freddy vs. Jason?
Oh my goodness, this movie was hideous! It had so much potential, but it was executed appallingly! Anyway... Kyle Labine played stoner character Bill Freeburg in 2003's Freddy vs. Jason. Labine has also appeared in movies like Bach's Fight for Freedom, Big Bully, Mr. Rice's Secret, Spooky House, Halloween: Resurrection, The Perfect Score, Crossed, Blonde and Blonder, Shred, Bollywood Beckons (a short film) and Revenge of the Boarding School Dropouts. But how did Labine's character Freeburg die in (the absolutely AWFUL) Freddy vs. Jason?
How did Sasha die in Urban Legend?
Tara Reid played New England university DJ Sasha Thomas in 1998's slasher movie Urban Legend (which, as the title would suggest, was based on a killer who acted out American urban legends when carrying out her murders). Reid has also appeared in The Big Lebowski, Cruel Intentions, the American Pie series, Van Wilder, Alone in the Dark, The Crow: Wicked Prayer, Incubus, If I Had Known I Was a Genius, Last Call, The Hungover Games, and Charlie's Farm. But how did Reid's character Sasha die in Urban Legend?
How did Mason die in Hannibal?
Wealthy and disfigured child molester Mason Verger was played by the incredibly versatile acting chamelon Gary Oldman in 2001's horror thriller - and sequel to 1991's The Silence of the Lambs - Hannibal. Oldman went uncredited in the role. Oldman has also appeared in the likes of Sid and Nancy, JFK, Bram Stoker's Dracula, True Romance, The Fifth Element, Nil by Mouth, the Harry Potter franchise, the Dark Knight Trilogy, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, RoboCop, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and countless other great movies. But how did Oldman's character Mason die in Hannibal?
How did One die in Resident Evil?
Colin Salmon played Sanitation Team commando James "One" Shade in 2002's Resident Evil - the first movie in the franchise loosely based on the popular video game of the same name. Salmon has also appeared in All Men Are Mortal, the James Bond franchise, Freeze Frame, Alien vs. Predator, Match Point, The Bank Job, Punisher: War Zone, Blood: The Last Vampire, Devil's Playground, How to Stop Being a Loser and London Has Fallen. But how did Salmon's character One die in Resident Evil?
How did Stripe die in Gremlins?
This is Stripe. Stripe was one of the Mogwai that spawned when Billy Peltzer's friend Pete Fountaine accidentally spilled water over Gizmo. Then, when Billy accidentally fed the spawned Mogwai after midnight, Stripe turned into a Gremlin along with the rest of his brethren. Stripe and his fellow trouble-making critters then ran rampant in the New York town of Kingston Falls. He led the Gremlins on their rampage, but was ultimately killed in the final battle with Billy and Gizmo. But how did Stripe die in Gremlins?
How did Hallorann die in The Shining?
Ah, a true classic. The late Scatman Crothers played Dick Hallorann in 1980's psychological horror The Shining - a superb Stanley Kubrick movie based on Stephen King's 1977 novel of the same name. Crothers was just as famous for music as he was acting, but he appeared in such movies as Lady Sings the Blues, Black Belt Jones, Linda Lovelace for President, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Twilight Zone: The Movie. But how did Crothers' character Hallorann die in The Shining?
How did Charlie die in Trick 'r Treat?
Remember this kid? It's Brett Kelly - the actor who played Thurman Merman, the friendly, naive and impossibly gullible kid in 2003's Bad Santa and its 2016 sequel Bad Santa 2. In 2007's Trick 'r Treat, he played Charlie. Kelly has also appeared in movies like Kill Me Later, Out Cold, Cheats, Like Mike 2: Streetball, Unaccompanied Minors, Slap Shot 3: The Junior League, What Goes Up and High School. But how did Kelly's character Charlie die in Trick 'r Treat?
How did Mrs. Baylock die in The Omen?
The late Billie Whitelaw appeared as the evil nanny Mrs. Baylock in the iconic 1976 supernatural horror movie The Omen. Whitelaw also appeared in movies like The Sleeping Tiger, Companions in Crime, Carve Her Name with Pride, The Flesh and the Fiends, Make Mine Mink, Start the Revolution Without Me, Night Watch, The Water Babies, An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, The Krays, Jane Eyre, The Lost Son, Quills and Hot Fuzz. But how did Whitelaw's character Mrs. Baylock die in The Omen?
How did Russell die in The Crazies?
Joe Anderson appeared as sheriff's deputy Russell Clank in 2010's The Crazies - a remake of the late, great George A. Romero's 1973 movie of the same name. Anderson has also appeared in movies like Creep, Silence Becomes You, Across the Universe, Copying Beethoven, Becoming Jane, Love Happens, Amelia, Operation: Endgame, The Grey, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, A Single Shot, Horns, Hercules, Supremacy, Bleeding Heart and Abattoir. But how did Anderson's character Russell die in The Crazies?
How did Sgt. Howie die in The Wicker Man?
The Wicker Man is one of the greatest British movies ever made. The 1973 mystery horror movie was inspired by Ritual - David Pinner's 1967 novel. The late Edward Woodward starred as Sgt. Howie in the movie. Woodward also appeared in movies like Where There's a Will, File of the Golden Goose, Incense for the Damned, A Christmas Carol, Mister Johnson, Deadly Advice, The House of Angelo, Hot Fuzz and A Congregation of Ghosts. But how did Woodward's character Sgt. Howie die in The Wicker Man?
How did Sam die in Inbred?
Nadine Rose Mulkerrin played Sam in 2011's British horror movie Inbred - which is a truly bizarre horror movie about the inhabitants of a small (fictional) town in Yorkshire called Mortlake that has to be seen to be believed! Mulkerrin is most famous for her role in soap opera Hollyoaks, but she has also appeared in movies like The Break Ups (which was a short film) and Urban and the Shed Crew. But how did Mulkerrin's character Sam die in Inbred?
How did Scott die in Wrong Turn?
Jeremy Sisto played Scott in the 2003 horror movie Wrong Turn - the first movie in a franchise that has since spawned five (rather unnecessary) sequels. Sisto is most famous for his television roles, in shows like Six Feet Under, Law & Order and Suburgatory. Movie-wise, he has appeared in the likes of Clueless, This Space Between Us, The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, In Memory of My Father and Population 436. But how did Sisto's character Scott die in Wrong Turn?