Feature: 8 Evil Kids and Why We Can’t Keep them Out of our Nightmares

Since the beginning of the film industry, there have always been terrifying creatures or charismatic figures that terrorize a community or lead the unsuspecting pigs to the slaughter. But that’s not who I want to discuss. I want to focus on the children—the “there’s no way my sweet and innocent seed could be capable of that” children.

Most people would like to believe that their precious offspring wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone another human being, but these kids of horror are as wicked and guilty as can be. No demon puppeteering its new young host from within, no adult in disguise masquerading as a preteen(unless we’re talking about casting)—these unholy minors are all bad all by themselves.

Tommy, ‘The Butterfly Effect’ (2004)

“The Butterfly Effect” (2004) was my first introduction to the multiverse in film, and no matter how much you try to alter the past to create a better future, teenage Tommy Miller (William Lee Scott) will always be pure evil in a denim jacket. No kid, dog, or mailbox was safe in that quiet suburb. Some actions at that age can easily be dismissed as teen angst, but I’m sure we can all agree that when you start harming dogs, it’s the first sign of something far more sinister. The torture and torment inflicted by this single boy brings nightmares to those closest to him well past their childhood years, making him far more than a bully—he’s a legitimate threat.

Henry Evans, ‘The Good Son’ (1993)

A good number of us had our childhoods turned upside down by Macaulay Culkin’s performance as Henry Evans in “The Good Son”—a wolf in sheep’s clothing capable of terrible things. What makes this work, besides his boyish charm and wicked ways, is that it came fresh on the heels of “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” He still possesses that look of pure innocence, but this ain’t New York, and he is anything but innocent. The Sticky Bandits should consider themselves lucky it was Kevin and not Henry.

Brett, ‘Eden Lake’ (2008)

When it comes to unadulterated ruthlessness that escalates with every encounter, there’s no one better than Jack O’Connell’s portrayal of Brett, the teenage psychopath in “Eden Lake.” Armed with local knowledge, a crew of flunkies bound to his every command (whether they want to be or not), and a relentless pursuit of the young couple who unluckily crossed his path, he proves to be the true monster in those woods. Fueled by rage and aggression, he steals the show with every appearance in this 2008 horror-thriller.

Kevin, ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ (2011)

Ezra Miller’s performance as the disturbed teenager detached from everyone and everything is outstanding. “We Need to Talk About Kevin” highlights numerous red flags of someone living with antisocial personality disorder—perhaps on the verge of a break—while posing the unsettling question: was he simply born this way? That’s an argument for another time, but what makes him truly evil are the unthinkable, carefully planned acts he carries out against those around him—including his own family. Sane or not, these deeds guarantee him a spot on this list.

Isaac and Malachai, ‘Children of the Corn’ (1984)

The film may not be the best Stephen King adaptation, but the duo of Isaac and Malachai is as evil as they come. Isaac has all the makings of a charismatic cult leader coming into his own, with Malachai playing the role of the ever-loyal enforcer ready to do the dirty work. Yeah, there are some paranormal elements at play, but these kids were too far gone long before “He Who Walks Behind the Rows” demanded his blood sacrifice. The successfully orchestrated slaughter of all the adults in Gatlin—and the new world order enforced on its surviving children—couldn’t have been executed without the two of them.

Samara Morgan, ‘The Ring’ (2002)

Just one year after her feature debut, the late Daveigh Chase starred in Gore Verbinski’s 2002 remake of the Japanese horror film “The Ring.” Portraying Samara, the eight-year-old girl who cursed anyone who watches her videotape, psychologically tormenting her victims over a seven-day period. From crawling out of both the well and the TV screen, that haunting imagery remains permanently seared into pop culture and the minds of everyone who watched it.

Damien, ‘The Omen’ (1976)

And who better to top this list than evil incarnate himself, Damien? This 1976 Academy Award–winning film stands the test of time not only for its iconic cinematic score, but for its young antagonist. The Antichrist may not always be the one to physically land the killing blow, but he serves as the dark source behind every unexplainable and freak accident. Whether you’re a nanny, a priest, or an adoptive parent, it doesn’t matter: no one stands a chance against the spawn of Satan. Anyone who gets in his way soon meets a gruesome end for their trouble.

–> Read More: Why Do We Keep Returning to the ‘Scream’ Films?