Iconic Weapons In Horror

Everyone recognizes the sharpened blade of a towering killer or the jagged pipe that gorges victims. It’s just as important of a tool as perhaps the mask, outfit, or voice of these characters. It’s what makes them memorable, terrifying or intimidating. So let’s go back in the past and see some of these lethal weapons and see what made them work and how they fit with each character’s personality.

Freddy Krueger: Razorclaw Glove

Ever since the first A Nightmare On Elm Street where we witnessed the construction of this terrifying glove by Freddy himself, we instantly knew how cruel this monster is. Why did we know? Because the weapon was designed to inflict deep wounds, torment, and a slow death. It was made by a man that wanted his victims to fear him so he could feed off this fear. It’s so unique that you instantly recognize the glove. It’s even more memorable than Freddy and his striped shirt. He loves to  wiggle his fingers as the blades “shing” as they glide along each other. The sound, the look, the meaning behind it all adds up to one tormented killer and a brutal weapon.

Pinhead: Hooks & Hell Chains

Pinhead’s obsession with afflicting pain in Hellraiser is only to preach the blessing of how pain can really be pleasure. His character heavily leans into BDSM and a twisted imagination. Hiding in the darkness, Pinhead can summon long, jagged black chains that slice, hook, and rip any victim he desires to “educate.” These chains represent a dark, unnerving side of Pinhead and his demonic friends that lurks in the shadows. It surrounds you with this feeling of dread that you’re constantly being watched or better yet -- never safe. They’re so iconic that you know better than to talk back to Pinhead when he enters a room as you never know where those chains will come from. 

Leatherface: Rusted Chainsaw

A disturbed killer in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre wearing the rotting skin of his victims, why wouldn’t he use a rusted chainsaw to slice away at human chum? It’s horrifying to witness the brutality Leatherface can gorge from his victims, as he cuts them to pieces while they’re still living. He’s a ruthless killer with a ruthless weapon. The chainsaw will not stop, rusted as it’s been overused and worn down from an obsession ingrained into Leatherface. As his family abused him and forced him to take part in their cannibal activities, he has no other reason to use a cleaner, more practical weapon. The chainsaw makes things interesting, entertaining even for him. This weapon is made for someone who lacks compassion and knowingly wants this kill to be a bloody mess. A perfect weapon for someone who enjoys a brutal kill.

Michael Myers: Kitchen Knife

So iconic that every household owns one! Michael Myers Halloween is most famously known for fielding a large kitchen knife to jab into his victims. It’s so sharp and so long that he can stab someone and leave them hanging so he can watch them die and wonder what they’re thinking of at that moment. For such a silent and stealthy killer, he’s surprisingly brutal when it comes to his methods of killing his victims. Although he does sometimes leave a mess, his kills are quick and methodical, although he seems to be simply reacting in the heat of the moment. A simple weapon for a simple killer, or is he really a mastermind hiding behind that mask? That's a mystery to be solved, and it’s terrifying to ponder. Is the boogeyman coming to your house tonight?

So what do you think of this list? Did I miss anyone? Who would you like to see next? If you’d like to see another list, comment down below and let’s discuss.

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Author

Troy Dawes has been writing and directing for over 6 years now, completely self-taught. He lives in Winnipeg and works full time as set decorator on feature films around the city. He's an avid fan of old school monsters big and small, he's always had a heart for horror and exciting stories.