Top 10 Most Brutal Deaths in Paranormal Movies

“The Omen” (1976)
In this classic supernatural horror film, Gregory Peck stars as Robert Thorn, a man who suspects that his adopted son may be the Antichrist. This suspicion is spurred by photographer Keith Jennings, who begins to investigate the child’s origins with Robert. For meddling in the Antichrist’s affairs, Keith meets a particularly grisly end. His death seems to come straight out of “Final Destination,” as a truck rolls down a hill and a pane of glass flies off to decapitate him. We see everything in explicit detail, and it does not make for a pretty sight.

“Paranormal Activity 3” (2011)
The third installment in the “Paranormal Activity” franchise is actually a prequel, taking place in 1988, 18 before the events of the other films. It follows sisters Katie and Kristi, who has a not-so-imaginary friend named Tobi. Their mother’s boyfriend, Dennis, meets a nasty end at Tobi’s demonic hands. As Dennis desperately crawls away to escape, Tobi attacks and bends his back at a painfully unnatural angle. The bending snaps his spine like a twig, and the accompanying “crunching” sound is absolutely horrific. Death by back-breaking demon is not how we would want to go.

“Phantasm” (1979)
Don Coscarelli’s science fantasy horror film enjoys cult classic status thanks to its surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. One particularly memorable scene involves a silver sphere, a caretaker, and lots of blood. The caretaker grabs Mike, who is trespassing at the mausoleum. However, a silver sphere impales itself in the caretaker’s face and graphically drills into his head, spurting blood through a hole in the back. None of these visuals make a lot of sense, but that’s where the magic of “Phantasm” lies. We can’t be sure what’s going on, which is what makes it so creepy!

“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987)
Typically regarded as the best “Nightmare on Elm Street” sequel, “Dream Warriors” has a fun premise and some truly gnarly death scenes. Grossest and most nightmarish of them all is Phillip’s. Playing the role of puppeteer, he turns Phillip into a human puppet in one of the most grotesque manners imaginable. In agony, Phillip is forced to walk to a rooftop, and jump off to his death. It’s a horrific scenario, but that’s what makes it one of the most memorable death scenes in the entire franchise.

“Oculus” (2013)
A great little horror movie from writer-director Mike Flanagan, “Oculus” stars Karen Gillan as Kaylie Russell and involves a supernatural mirror. Kaylie hopes to prove its paranormal power, but in order to ensure her safety, she installs a kill switch in the form of an anchor that will drop from the ceiling and shatter the mirror. In the horrifying climax of the film, Kaylie’s brother Tim activates the kill switch, unaware that Kaylie is standing directly in its path. The anchor impales Kaylie’s upper back, and she groans in pain for a few seconds before dying. It’s an absolutely brutal way to go, and to make matters even worse, Tim is taken away to jail for her death. Not a happy ending, indeed.

“Sinister” (2012)
There are jump scares, and then there’s the infamous lawnmower scene from “Sinister.” Writer Ellison Oswalt discovers disturbing home movies in the attic of his new house. These movies depict the grisly deaths of various people at the hands of the unseen camera operator. In what is arguably the most disturbing home movie, the operator can be seen rolling a lawnmower. We are unable to see ahead, as the only source of light is emanating from the camera, and it’s focused solely on the mower. A person’s head then suddenly comes into view, accompanied by a bone-chilling scream. We don’t see the messy results, but we don’t need to. That sight alone was effective enough.

“Ghost Ship” (2002)
Some opening scenes are so killer that they overshadow the rest of the movie. The opening to “Ghost Ship” is one such scene. The movie begins aboard an extravagant ocean liner in 1962. The well-dressed passengers are dancing to a lovely tune while pink, cursive credits seem to promise a romantic period drama. It’s all meant to give an intentionally false impression of what’s to come. The hand of an unseen man manipulates a wire cord that snaps under the pressure, sending it whirling through the dance floor. The aftermath is nauseatingly goopy, as the passengers react with shock before falling to the deck, bisected.

“Hereditary” (2018)
Ari Aster’s psychological horror film contains several brutal deaths. Early in the movie, young Charlie dies after her head hits a telephone pole at high speed. Her mother Annie also meets a terrifying end after she’s possessed by King Paimon. After chasing her son Peter into the attic, Annie levitates off the ground and takes her own life with a piece of piano wire. The visual effects are astonishing, but even better is Toni Collette’s performance. Annie glares at Peter while taking her own life, her eyes unspeakably scary. We don’t see the aftermath, but we hear it, and the whole thing comes together to create an unforgettable death sequence that will haunt our nightmares for years.

“Suspiria” (2018)
While not a direct remake of Dario Argento's Italian classic, “Suspiria” takes major inspiration from the film. It concerns a German dance academy that is steeped in mystery, violence, and witchcraft. In the movie’s nastiest sequence, protagonist Susie Bannion inflicts injuries on Olga Ivanova remotely with her dance movements. Olga’s body flies through the air, slams into walls, and contorts in bone-shattering angles. When the dance is finally completed, Olga’s body is a nightmarish tangle of limbs and bones.

“Hellraiser” (1987)
Hedonist Frank Cotton suffers two grisly deaths in Clive Barker’s horror masterpiece “Hellraiser”. The first sees him torn apart by chains, but mostly occurs off screen. The second follows a similar theme, but viewers are subjected to the spectacle in all its gruesome detail. After his first death, Cotton is revived, escaping the Cenobites, extra-dimensional beings who experience pain as pleasure. Even though he changes skins, taking over his brother’s, the Cenobites catch him and use chains to tear him apart all over again. The practical effects are magnificent, but they are certainly not for the faint of heart.