Top 10 Creepiest Movie Stalkers

“Fear” (1996)
David McCall from the 1996 film “Fear” is the prime example of how not to judge a book by its cover. He wins people over with his smile and charm, but underneath he is a violent, obsessive predator. Played by Mark Wahlberg, David initially presents himself as an ideal partner for Reese Witherspoon’s Nicole. It doesn’t take long for his savage, true self to emerge. He is controlling, jealous, and violent. His deranged behavior escalates throughout the movie, and David is fully unmasked as a remorseless, murderous psychopath. His pursuit of Nicole is relentless, and he’s willing to harm her friends and family to get his way. David’s charming veneer is almost as terrifying as the violence he unleashes.

“The Crush” (1993)
At first blush, Alicia Silverstone’s Darian – renamed Adrian – Forrester is the quintessential ‘girl next door.’ She seems to be your typical teenager with an innocent crush on Nick, a writer renting a guesthouse on her family’s property. The crush, however, quickly morphs into an intense infatuation. Adrian is able to easily deflect suspicion thanks to her innocent doe eyes. But Nick soon learns not to be fooled. Her youthful charm is a cover for an intelligent and dangerously fixated mind. She is horrifyingly manipulative, sabotaging Nick’s life when he rejects her advances. Adrian is calculated and vengeful. Combined with her sweet and harmless persona, she represents a truly chilling portrayal of youthful obsession turned deadly.

“The Invisible Man” (2020)
Have you ever been asked whether you’d want the power of invisibility or flight? Adrian Griffin from the 2020 film “The Invisible Man” is a great example of why we can’t be trusted with invisibility. Adrian is a wealthy, brilliant scientist. When not discovering incredible breakthroughs in optical technology, he is an abusive sociopath. He decides to fake his own death, using an advanced stealth suit to haunt his ex-girlfriend, Cecilia. Being invisible, Adrian is able to stalk and torment Cecilia, and nobody believes her version of events. He traps her in a prison of other people’s doubt, leaving her isolated and terrified.

“Play Misty for Me” (1971)
Long before her iconic role as Lucille Bluth, Jessica Walter starred as Evelyn Draper in “Play Misty for Me.” Evelyn is an obsessed fan of radio DJ Dave Garver, played by Clint Eastwood. She weasels her way into his life, even managing a brief fling. Dave soon becomes alarmed by her stalker-like behavior, pushing her away. This sparks Evelyn’s swift descent into madness. She becomes increasingly erratic and violent, repeatedly breaking into Dave’s home, attacking him, and even harming herself in his house. Evelyn’s unpredictability and obsession set up tropes that Hollywood has adopted time and again in the decades since. Evelyn, in her own twisted way, is as much of an icon as Lucille.

“The King of Comedy” (1982)
In his younger days, Robert De Niro circled back to playing compulsive stalker types once per decade. In the ‘80s, he starred as Rupert Pupkin, a stand-up comedian with delusions of grandeur. The character sees fame, notoriety, and success in his future, relentlessly pursuing celebrity comedian Jerry Langford. He follows Jerry, ultimately kidnapping the Johnny Carson stand-in as a misguided attempt to force his way into the limelight. Rupert's personality is a dangerous cocktail blending pathetic naivety with a chilling level of determination. He truly believes in his heart of hearts that he is forging a destiny of fame and fortune. "The King of Comedy" is an unsettling look at our infatuation with celebrity culture, something that's only gotten worse since 1982.

“Misery” (1987)
While some works of art can be classified as love letters to the fans, Stephen King's "Misery" feels like a stiff arm. The film adaptation stars Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes, the devoted fan of famous writer Paul Sheldon. She rescues Paul from a near-fatal car crash, devoting herself to his recovery. Her ministrations turn sinister when she discovers that Paul plans to kill off her favorite character. Annie drops her facade, unleashing her inner sadist in a flurry of unpredictable mood swings and forces him to write according to her wishes. When he rebuffs her, she hobbles him, forcing him once more to rely on her for survival.

“One Hour Photo” (2002)
Famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton once said, "Any photographer who says he’s not a voyeur is either stupid or a liar." Such is true for Seymour "Sy" Parrish, a photo technician and star of "One Hour Photo." Sy is desperately lonely, relying on the photos he develops for company. He becomes fixated on the Yorkins through developing their family photos, imagining himself as part of their lives. Relying on his unassuming demeanor to infiltrate their lives, Sy's actions become increasingly invasive. Robin Williams delivers his usual complexity, creating an impressively grounded balance between vulnerability and menace. As a result, Sy is an evocative portrait of isolation - seemingly a precursor of today's loneliness epidemic.

“All About Eve” (1950)
Eve Harrington is a seemingly devoted and loving fan of Broadway star Margo Channing. That guise of admiration allows Eve to fully ingratiate herself into Margo's life. Unlike many other cinematic stalkers, Eve isn't driven by a sense of loneliness or power. Instead, she wants to become Margo. Eve is cold, calculated, and systematic with her scheme to upend Margo's career and personal relationships. She’s a predator, and her charm is just a tool to get what she wants: fame. As her false face fades away, she gradually transforms from doe-eyed ingénue admirer to ruthless usurper.

“Cape Fear” (1991)
De Niro first proved his creep-factor bona fides as Travis Bickle, a violent cabbie obsessed with a young campaign volunteer. Fifteen years later, he teamed up with Martin Scorsese again, this time as Max Cady in "Cape Fear." Cady is a convicted sex offender who harbors a deep-seated grudge against his former defense attorney. Blaming his lawyer, Sam Bowden, for his imprisonment, Cady methodically stalks and terrorizes Bowden's family upon his release. Like a tiger stalking his prey, he exploits their fears and weaknesses to exact his revenge. De Niro captures the character’s menacing presence with ease, an embodiment of the terrifying consequences of an unchecked vendetta.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Hedra Carlson, “Single White Female” (1992)
Hedra Carlson Is Proof That Imitation Is Not Always the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Curt Duncan, “When a Stranger Calls” (1979)
Curt Duncan Is Not the Guy You Want Calling From Inside Your House

Peyton Flanders/Mrs. Mott, “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” (1992)
Rebecca de Mornay Stars as a Nanny Whose Sweet Smile Hides Her Sinister Intentions

Rebecca Evans, “The Roommate” (2011)
A Cautionary Tale About Vetting the People You’re Going to Be Living With

Noah Sandborn, “The Boy Next Door” (2015)
The Classic Tale of Good Looks Disguising Bad Intentions

“Fatal Attraction” (1987)
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Alex Forrest is the personification of that sentiment in terrifying, human form. Glenn Close plays the character with seductive grace, and it's easy to understand falling for her assertiveness. Alex engages in a brief affair with married lawyer Dan Gallagher. When Dan attempts to end it, her confidence crumbles. It was all a facade, masking a deeply disturbed and vengeful nature. She resorts to increasingly desperate and violent acts to force Dan back into her life, including stalking his family and endangering their lives. Alex is proof that in the wrong hands, love is a dangerous weapon. While her anger is understandable - relatable, even - she takes her rage to an insane and violent extreme.

Got a favorite movie stalker? Lurk in the comments and tell us who gave you the chills!