POLL: Who Is the Best Slasher?

Happy Friday the 13th!

Horror films are filled with iconic faces that fill us with fear and dread. If you closed your eyes and were asked to imagine a killer’s signature look, would you picture the scarred and stitched Chucky, the hockey mask that hides Jason, or Leatherface’s custom-stitched second skin?

These beloved and terrifying titans of the genre all have their own distinct looks, weapons, and styles of stalking down their victims, but only one of these killers can be a cut above the rest — and we want you to decide! If you need a refresher before you vote, check out each killer’s quick style profile below.

(You can also take a moment to remind yourself of some of the Best Slasher Movie Kills of All Time or, if you’re feeling extra spooky, find your Slasher Soulmate!)

Chucky (Child’s Play)

Though this pint-size slasher is trapped in the body of a Good Guys doll, he doesn’t come to play. Voodoo-chanting serial killer Charles Lee Ray, better known as Chucky, has racked up quite a body count over the years.

He is best known for his foul mouth and bizarre family (consisting of fellow human-turned-doll Tiffany Valentine and their offspring Glen/Glenda). While he achieves the most kills with bladed objects (usually a kitchen knife of some kind), Chucky has also used rulers, factory machinery, and defenestration to get the job done.

Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th)

Before this mama’s boy came out to play, it was Pamela Voorhees slashing camp counselors at Crystal Lake. But ever since he donned the famous hockey mask, Jason has skyrocketed to one of the most iconic faces to ever grace pop culture — even if it’s a face only a mother could truly love.

Ever the strong and silent type, he’s often depicted with a machete in hand, though some of his most memorable kills involve sleeping bags, camping tents, and even mattresses. Throw in a harpoon gun, a syringe, and punching someone’s head clean off their shoulders and there’s really no limit to the ways we’ve seen Jason menace the masses.

Ghost Face® (Scream)

Ghost Face is a killer for all seasons — and all reasons. Many have taken up the mantle of the maniacal and movie-minded murderer, all for different motives. Typically armed with a simple blade and a superiority complex, whatever Ghost Face you’re dealing with is sure to be a challenge.

The original killers were Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, taking their love of horror movies a little too far. But is pop culture trivia knowledge enough to survive this slasher? With the age of social media thrown in the mix, Ghost Face has enough material to take a stab at every era of the ever-popular genre.

Michael Myers (Halloween)

You can’t kill the boogeyman. Michael Myers proves that you don’t have to be overly gimmicky to make an impact. He lets his actions do the talking, and his victims do the screaming. Typically equipped with a kitchen knife, he’s the last person you want to meet on Halloween night.

Though people like to joke about his slow walking, there’s an effective horror to his persistent approach. Plus, Michael’s mask adds an extra level of soullessness to the silent villain.

Victor Crowley (Hatchet)

A cursed killer from the swamps, Victor Crowley has a real history of horror. Like many slashers of his stature, he has supernatural strength that can literally rip heads in half. He haunts New Orleans, trapped to relive the night he died and go mad killing tourists in his search for his father.

He is a jack of all trades, using everything from belt sanders and shovels to the eponymous hatchet to tear his victims apart. Victor doesn’t hide beneath any masks, though he has been shamed for his monstrous appearance like others on this list. He’s definitely a tragic slasher, but his body count and brutality are up there with the best of them.

Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)

It’s hip to be scared! At least, that’s the case when Patrick Bateman is in the mix. This cold-hearted capitalist shows us the hollow nightmare of obsessive status-chasing and working the system.

When he’s not feeding cats to the ATM, Bateman uses whatever he can to fulfill his bloodlust — most famously, a hatchet. He’s got a strict beauty routine, a cynical outlook, and a lethal sense of competition with his coworkers. But what he still doesn’t have is a reservation at Dorsia. Ooh, too soon?

Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

The killer king of quips, Freddy Krueger is the man of our dreams — er, nightmares. While he’s never seen without his signature bladed glove, he has used dozens of creative ways to give his victims sweet screams.

The dream demon is capable of turning someone’s imagination against them. This has led to death by needle-fingers, puppeteering a young man by his tendons, and even shoving a girl’s head through a television. Everyone needs to sleep — but Freddy reminds us to sleep with one eye open.

Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

: Pictured: The Leatherface (Killing Mask) Sixth Scale Figure by Sideshow

This killer keeps it in the family! Bubba Sawyer, AKA Leatherface, is a rather misunderstood murderer. He is fearful of home invaders (honestly, who wouldn’t be?) and is caught up in his eccentric family’s meat-making business. He’s known for his heart-stopping chainsaw, but Leatherface is also skilled with sledgehammers and even meathooks.

He might be the least murder-motivated of the bunch, but that doesn’t mean he won’t tear you in two. Leatherface is also known for a myriad of costume changes on screen. He’s got a skin suit for practically every occasion. Finished with a charm bracelet, this guy really knows how to tenderize and accessorize!

Art the Clown (Terrifier)

As if there weren’t enough scary clowns out there already — Art the Clown from the Terrifier series combines malicious mime tactics and killer clownishness. He appears on Halloween nights to rack up more kills, staining his signature black and white bodysuit with red blood. He uses a variety of tools like saws and scalpels to get the job done.

Despite his silence, he is expressive — almost frighteningly so. Other silent stalkers are also rather repressed in their body language, but not Art. His emotive face and energetic gestures fill the quiet with even more dread. This guy leaves no dead air! He also has demonic origins, adding to the supernatural scare factor and his overall showmanship.

Sam (Trick ‘r Treat)

Though Sam is a newer killer when compared with icons from the ’70s and ’80s, he is all about honoring tradition. Halloween is a sacred night, so you’d better play along if you want to survive this fun-size slasher. He is best known for the burlap mask with button eyes, but beneath that hood is a pumpkin-headed horror that will haunt you all night long.

Remember when they told us to check our candy for dangers? Sam uses candy AS his weapon! His razor-edged lolly is even deadlier than any candy cane shivs you might have made as a child. So if you’re going to celebrate, do it right and respect the jack-o’-lanterns on your porch — or else Sam might treat you to some tricks.

Did your favorite killer not make the list? Want to compare body counts? Shriek about it over at side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!

There’s a chill in the air. The leaves tremble in a skeleton dance and shadows seem a shade darker. Channel the spirits and revel in Sideshow’s Spooktacular 2022 — a celebration of all things sinister, scary, and downright spooky.

Join us from October 24 – October 31 by visiting side.show/spooktacular and don’t forget — Sleep is for the weak!