Top 10 Horror Movie Child Villains

“Children of the Corn” (1984)

There have been a lot of films within the “Children of the Corn” franchise over the years, but it’s the first entry from 1984 that sticks in our memories. This is due largely to its shocking opening sequence, which sees the deaths of all the adults in Gatlin, Nebraska. The children of Gatlin are led astray by a religious cult headed by Isaac Chroner and his second-in-command, Malachai Boardman. This scenario might have devolved into parody, were it not for the acting of John Franklin and Courtney Gains. The pair exude legit malevolence, making it easy to see them as demagogues for their young peers. The end results, meanwhile, are classic terror, as both Malachai and Isaac serve He Who Walks Behind the Rows.

“The Brood” (1979)

David Cronenberg is the master of body horror cinema, with his 1979 effort “The Brood” especially chilling. Memorably, the villains here are anthropomorphic, childlike representations of abuse that are physically willed into existence. These psychoplasmic offspring are tethered to their “mother,” Nora Carveth, via a psychic connection and commit violent acts upon their creator’s behalf. The end results are truly disturbing, and this isn’t thanks only to the idea at play. The practical effects also lend these psychoplasmic creations an insidious life, planting them forever into the subconscious of our deepest and darkest nightmares.

“It” franchise (1990, 2017-)

The fiction of Stephen King possesses a number of constants, one which is the near omnipresent character of an abuser, or tormentor. Henry Bowers definitely fits this bill, as this local hoodlum and gang leader is already pretty terrible, prior to his possession by Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Bowers may be caught within the cyclical nature of domestic violence, but his choices remain his own, and he takes delight in tormenting The Loser’s Club at every turn. This antagonist’s already violent and cruel nature makes it easy for Pennywise to take control of Bowers, effectively amplifying what’s already there at the start of the story.

“Who Can Kill a Child? (1976)

This film from director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador asks a very blunt, and very difficult question. There are no easy answers to be found in 1976’s “Who Can Kill a Child?” Instead, the film pontificates about the horrors of war, at home and abroad, and the effects an early exposure to violence has upon a child’s psyche. The island children in this film have become homicidal, yet vacationers Tom and Evelyn do all they can to stay their hand in retaliation. The pair’s torment on the island pushes them to the brink, yet by the film’s climax we are left with an even more depressing question: Will this vicious cycle ever end?

“Eden Lake” (2008)

The framing of Brett’s gang as antagonistic feels intentional, right from the group’s introduction in the 2008 film “Eden Lake.” Critical analysis of the film has singled out how writer/director James Watkins underlines a perception of systemic social decay in the United Kingdom, one that was labeled “Broken Britain” by Conservative voices. Perception certainly dictates the veracity of such claims, but there’s no denying how Brett and his mates viciously torment leads Kelly Reilly and Michael Fassbender. “Eden Lake” also features an unsettling and disturbingly dark ending, where the gang effectively get away with their crimes, their sins covered up by all of the local parents.

“Brightburn” (2019)

What if Superman was a bad guy? The 2019 film “Brightburn” attempts to showcase one potential answer to this question, and does so with a young actor, Jackson A. Dunn. Dunn portrays Brandon Breyer, whose origin story is similar to Clark Kent’s…only with an entirely different outcome. Here, Breyer’s intentions are anything but pure, and he grows up to be a villain, despite the best efforts of his adopted parents. The tragedy at play here isn’t lost on the audience, and questions can be asked about how far parental love can go when faced with pure evil. It’s a moral conundrum that’s been asked in cinema before, with “Brightburn” reframing it through a superhero lens.

“The Good Son” (1993)

The career of child actor Macaulay Culkin took a new turn with 1993’s “The Good Son,” which gave Culkin the opportunity to play a lead antagonist. The character of Henry Evans is troubled, and displays antisocial behavior that’s pushed into attempted murder. Culkin’s performance is chilling, working off the innate likability of his co-star Elijah Wood in a fascinating manner. This can be seen not only during their early scenes together, but also at the film’s climax, where Henry’s mother is forced to make a heartbreaking decision. “The Good Son” has aged very well, while Culkin’s work in the role remains some of his best to date.

“Village of the Damned” (1960)

The premise of the original “Village of the Damned” from 1960 is a memorable one, one also utilized by the 1995 remake. The abnormally-born children within these films all seem to share a psychic link, operating as a hive mind with sinister intentions. Their parents vacillate between feelings of love and fear, while struggling to decide what to do about the childrens’ growing power. Both the original film adaptation of “The Midwich Cuckoos” and its remake from horror icon John Carpenter ask these questions, with somewhat different answers. All we do know is that these children of the damned are dangerous and demand ultimate power.

“The Ring” (2002)

“The Ring” was a huge horror hit when it was released back in 2002, immediately creating a horror icon in the form of its antagonist, Samara Morgan. The soaking wet, dark-haired vision of Morgan was itself adapted from the 1998 Japanese film “Ringu,” and its character of Sadako Yamamura. Both of these young girls are cursed with a psychic ability they can’t control, and this powerful instability winds up pushing both Morgan and Yamamura into dark places after their physical deaths. The cursed videotape is a product of their tragic-yet-malevolent evil, delivering death to anyone that views it within seven days.

“The Omen” franchise (1976-)

He’s the literal spawn of Satan, a demonic offspring who is destined to bring on the end of the world. His earthly name may be Damien Thorn, but this young child will grow up to become The Opponent…the Antichrist. The original “Omen” film from 1976 succeeds primarily because it seems so improbable that this otherwise adorable child will rise to such unholy heights. Yet the signs are there, including mysterious Satanists who ingratiate themselves into the Thorn family to cultivate Damien’s growing power. Animals quake and cower at the boy’s presence, while the physical “666” that’s present on the child’s body forever brands Damien with The Mark of the Beast. He’s the ultimate evil child, whose legacy continues on with films to this day.

What’re your thoughts about films that feature underage antagonists? Let us know in the comments!