One of the main tropes for horror movies is that the characters always make a dumb decision that puts all of their lives in jeopardy. Either one of the main or minor characters makes a terrible call out of fear because they are simply put in the film to further the plot that the writers have created. This usually happens by someone dropping the weapon that took them a while to procure, running away from the evil thing and tripping, splitting up when sticking together is the smarter option, or ignoring the warning signs that something bad is going to happen if they continue.
Whatever the reason is, it becomes increasingly frustrating to watch again and again. Most characters in horror films act without logic or reason, making it hard to believe smart characters exist in this genre. Some films have decided to ignore what seems like a staple within horror movies and allow their characters to assess the situation and fight back. These movies prove that just because someone is being hunted, doesn’t mean they can’t fight back. Here are the best horror movies where the characters are actually smart.
10 Escape Room
Six people from different walks of life are given mysterious black boxes that hold a ticket to an escape room. These strangers are being locked into several different rooms with extreme tasks that could result in death if not done correctly. They quickly learn this is a game of survival. The whole premise of Escape Room hinges on the fact that the main characters must be smart if they want to live. Bustle calls Escape Room the perfect horror movie for getting a good scare along with plenty of gory bits.
9 You’re Next
A family reunion quickly goes wrong when a group of masked assailants attack the party in You’re Next. They must work together to fight off the unwanted guests or otherwise die. Erin seems to be the only one in the family who was able to think of a way to defeat the killers. She sets traps, gathers weapons, and teaches the family on how to defend themselves. Erin was brought up to survive making her a tough fighter, and the one that won’t fall for the typical horror movie tropes.
8 Aliens
Nostromo and its crew faces an alien invasion in the form of bloodthirsty beasts. Aliens gave audiences Ellen Ripley who soon became an icon as she needs to save her crew by fighting and stopping Ash from bringing the creatures to Earth. Ellen is seen as resourceful while making smart decisions that allow her to survive until the very end. The crew members who did not listen to her were quickly led to their deaths. Ellen is probably one of the smartest and bravest characters in the horror movie genre that audiences will likely never see again.
7 Ready or Not
In Ready or Not, Grace thought it was the best day of her life when she married Alex whose family owns a successful game company. On their wedding night, Alex’s family introduces a wedding ritual where they play a deadly game of hide and seek. When Grace learns what the Satan-worshiping family has in store for her, she decides not to have a pity party for herself and beat the family at their own game. The family thought the bride would never fight back which is all the more satisfying when she wins. The movie also takes every horror movie trope ever created and put a twist on it.
6 It
A young kid goes missing in the town of Derry, Maine in It. Seven kids who are part of the Losers Club figure out that the kidnapper was not a man, but Pennywise the clown. Pennywise is able to turn into anyone’s worst fear, and it is up to the Losers Club to take him out. The members of the club all have a sad backstory but find the motivation to beat the evil clown. Screen Rant says that the kids’ decision to fight back and form an attack make these characters smarter than any average group of kids in horror movies.
5 Get Out
Get Out follows Chris, who has been invited to his girlfriend’s parent’s lake house. While they are there, he notices Rose and her family acting weird around him. The servants in the house also seem strange, and Chris finds out some disturbing facts about his girlfriend’s family. Chris is hypnotized by the family, and he manages to save himself while killing those who try to stop him along the way. This movie not only shows a smart main character but smart villains too. The fact that Chris escapes from his girlfriend’s sadistic family proves how clever he truly is.
4 There’s Someone Inside Your House
Makani Young just recently moved from Hawaii to Osbourne, Nebraska for her senior year of high school. Shortly after her arrival, Makani finds herself in the middle of gruesome murder cases involving her classmates. The graduating class’s darkest secrets are revealed when a masked killer targets each one of them. Makani and her friend group are witty and decently perceptive people which doesn’t happen in too many teen horror movies. The group of friends understands the danger that lies ahead of them. Makani must deal with her own past if she wants to save her friends in There’s Someone Inside Your House.
3 Scream
Scream has become a cult franchise of a ghost-faced murderer. Sydney Prescott and her high school friends become the next targets for the ghost-face killer on Halloween. The body count continues to pile up and Sydney is losing those around her and her trust in them making her believe that anyone could be the killer. Scream was the first franchise to get rid of the classic horror tropes and introduce smart characters that know what they are doing. Each new film has a series of characters that outsmarts the killers at every turn.
2 Lights Out
When Rebecca was younger, she was haunted by something in the dark. Now, it seems as if her younger brother Martin is being haunted by the same thing in Lights Out. Rebecca does anything to protect her little brother and realizes that what is after them has some sort of attachment to their mom. If she doesn’t find away to get rid of it, all of their lives will be in danger. Rebecca and her brother respond to this danger with common sense which is unlike most horror movies. Instead of being helpless and terrified, the siblings take action and not wait to be attacked.
1 The Invisible Man
Cecelia’s abusive ex-husband died by suicide, but that’s not stopping her from believing that he’s stalking her in The Invisible Man. Since the police and anyone she told seems to not believe her, Cecilia must figure out what’s happening to her and fight back. Most horror movies would use this plot to make the female main character a damsel in distress. Instead, this movie shows Cecelia as someone who never lets down her guard down. She knows what she’s capable of and uses the villains own weapon against him proving that she’s better at playing his game than he is.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
