Was the Inspiration for the Scream Movies & Ghostface Killer Real?

Categories
Featured Scary Movies and Series

Is Scream Based On a Real Story?

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” Ghostface can be heard around the world by countless fans mimicking his famous catchphrase. Ghostface taunts his victims by telephone and with a voice changing device to help hide his identity (which ultimately changes every movie).  He then stalks and chases them with a scary looking dagger to ensure a violent death.  Ghostface is certainly one of the horror genre’s favorite slashers.

The Scream franchise did very well, with the first movie raking in more than $103 million in the United States alone (that’s great for an estimated budget of only $14,000,000)!  But where did the story get its start? What is the Scream movie origin and is Ghostface based upon a real life killer? Horror Enthusiast has dove deep to untangle some wires and figure the true origin of the Ghostface killer and Scream movies.

The Real Story that Inspired Ghostface & Scream

The Real Life Unnerving Murders

The writer of Scream, Kevin Williamson, created the story line surrounding his fascination with the Gainesville Ripper.  While watching a news story about the terror, he realized his very own window was open, and that he could be susceptible to the same horrible fate that had already befallen a number of people.  The horror script was born that very day as Kevin completed the first 18 page draft of what would be Scream. 

The initial script featured a young woman who was alone at home (where she should be safe), being taunted by a killer over the phone.  The woman would then be chased by the slasher, who would be a scary-masked villain with a knife. Shortly, Kevin had completed a full-length script for the movie. He even planned the concept of Scream becoming a franchise right away.  In addition to his full-length script, Kevin provided suggestions that outlined two possible sequels. 

The Gainesville Ripper

Danny Harold Rolling is the Gainesville Ripper, a serial killer responsible for murdering 5 students in the Gainesville, Florida area, as well as 3 others in Louisiana.  Rolling is the initial inspiration  (although somewhat loosely fit) for the plot horror enthusiasts all know as the Scream movie today.  Rolling was a gruesome killer, mutilating his victims after raping them and even decapitating one body. He would also pose his victims in sexually provocative positions before leaving the scene. Hardly Ghostface, however, nonetheless the Gainesville Ripper would scare Kevin Williamson so bad he’d come up with the basis for a truly scary plot with a real-life feel. 

Rolling was put to death by legal injection in 2006.

Where Did the Ghostface Mask Come From?

ghostface masked killed from the movie scream

The Ghostface mask was discovered by Wes Craven himself as he were hunting for filming locations.  He noticed the mask hanging on the wall of one of the rooms within a possible film house and knew it was a perfect fit.  The mask could not be exactly similar as he could not obtain the rights and so he had one made to resemble the mask as closely as possible based upon a photo he took.

Where Did the Ghostface Cloak Come From?

Ghostface was designed, originally, to be cloaked in a white robe, not a black robe.  The costume only changed to a black robe after the crew realized he resembled a member of the Ku Klux Klan when wearing white.

Where Did the Title “Scream” Come From?

Scream was originally going to be called “Scary Movie.” This is super ironic, as that title would later be used for a parody that pretty much featured the Scream franchise. The (now more famous than ever before in light of their sexual harassment scandles) Weinstein Brothers decided to rename the film to Scream towards the end of filming.

What Made Scream More Interesting?

Scream was (basically) the first horror movie that featured characters who understood horror movies existed and even referenced real-life horror movies throughout the film.  With characters that understood how people die in horror movies and the common mistakes to avoid…it made the audience feel as though anything could happen.

Additional Inspirations

There is a lot of inspiration behind Scream that appears under the surface, as well.  Scream script writer, Kevin Williamson, had been a huge horror movie fan his entire life before beginning the Scream script. He loved popular horror franchises Halloween, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Prom Night, and many others.  His passion for these films is evident via a number of references and obvious homage throughout the Scream movies.

Scream Still Scares Even Today

painting of ghostface from scream

Ghostface today is still a very popular slasher horror icon.  He makes several appearances throughout popular media (other movies included, even comedies like ‘Scary Movie’).  And almost everyone knows who Ghostface is, or has seen at least one Scream movie.  He is even a very popular Halloween mask choice more than 20 years after his first cinematic appearance (the original Scream being released in 1996).  And very recently, more interest slasher favorite, Ghostface, has spawned a rebooted Scream franchise in form of a TV series. The TV series first aired in June of 2015, but is currently three seasons strong.  The third season has yet to air (begins in March of 2018). 

Whether on the big screen or on TV, one thing is clear: Ghostface is here to stay and wants to know what is your favorite scary movie?

blank

Advertisements

Join "The Horror List" for Weekly Horror in your inbox






Which Horror Movie Killer Would Win?

Categories
Scary Movies and Series

Pitting Horror Movie Killers and Slashers Against Each Other

The age old questions of which horror movie slasher is strongest, most powerful, most dangerous or would win in a fight, has been haunting us for decades! And almost all of the horror fans out there expected to see a clear winner in Freddy vs Jason (2003); Thus a great void was left in the “who would win” what-if scenario between the two horror villain giants.  And people are now wondering more than ever who would win a number of other Slasher vs Slasher fights.  Horror Enthusiast has stepped up to the plate, pitting a number of villains against one another and drawing a conclusion as to the outcome and winner of each fight!

Fictional Horror Movie Killer Fights (Who Would Win)

Without further ado, these fictional horror movie killer ‘one on ones’ will draw the line on who would have won after all in a fight!

Freddy Krueger vs Michael Myers

Michael Myers has been a torment to survivors on many of the halloweens throughout the past few decades. Freddy Krueger has been active throughout various times of the year, but enjoys raising hell when school is in…thus, it is logical that the two horror movie slashers would meet up at one point or another!  If Freddy Krueger ran across Michael one Halloween, he would probably put Michael into a sleep-induced Haddonfield killing-spree coma, while he were buried alive.

Winner: Freddy Krueger

Method: Asphyxiation and Sleep-induced Coma

Leatherface vs Michael Myers

michael myers vs leatherface killer

Michael Myers keeps coming back from the dead and has been a demonic nightmare ever since the late 70s. However, Leatherface has also been killing since the 70s and may be the largest opponent Michael Myers has ever faced.  While this would be a close fight, the deciding factor came down to the ability to sustain blows.  Michael’s first blow would probably not be able to kill Leatherface, no matter how grim the wound.  Leatherface, however, is capable of literally chopping off limbs and cutting Michael’s body in half, with just one swing of his chainsaw.

Winner: Leatherface

Method: Body Dismemberment and Cut In Half

Pinhead vs Michael Myers

Michael Myers began life as a mortal human being, unlike Pinhead, who is a demon and supernatural by nature.  Myers received his supernatural developments throughout time, and unfortunately stands a serious handicap in the respect of actual power.  However, if he had a fair shot, he would probably at least look pretty while Pinhead tore him to pieces, literally!

Winner: Pinhead

Method: Detainment and Dismemberment

Leatherface vs Jason Voorhees

Leatherface is one bad mamba jamba, and has been taking out travelers for decades. Jason Voorhees, however, quite literally cannot die in a mortal sense.  Additionally, Jason can sustain unimaginable blows and still continue to hack and slash, showing no signs of slowing down.  Leatherface has been seen vulnerable on a number of occasions, leaving him writhing in pain after a survivor successfully lashes back.  Leatherface would meet his doom if encountering Jason in a one on one fight…even with his chainsaw!

Winner: Jason Voorhees

Method: Macheted In Half

Pinhead vs Jason Voorhees

jason vs pinhead winner

Jason Voorhees has been brought back from the dead after being spat out of hell. Pinhead is no longer human, just like Jason, however, he exists in an extradimensional realm only to travel to Earth to harvest souls. While the two characters share a lot in common (Jason only returns to Earth to murder and wreak havoc), Jason would be unable to overcome the impressive use of demonic magic that would be present within the fight.

Winner: Pinhead

Method: Detainment and Dismemberment

Chucky vs Michael Myers

Michael Myers stalks his victims and has a good chance of sneaking up on Chucky…however, Chucky is no stranger to deception himself.  Michael has killed a few victims based upon his strength, however, he is mostly known for his ability to kill with a blade. Chucky, being an inanimate doll, would likely be able to survive one or two slashes from Michael’s blade in order to outsmart him.  Given Michael is significantly lacking in the intelligence department, he would probably fall victim to a larger plot pre-planned by Chucky (probably using objects much larger than himself).

Winner: Chucky

Method: Trapping and Smashing Michael Between Two Heavy Objects

Freddy Krueger vs Chucky

chucky vs freddy drawing

Chucky may be practically invulnerable to a mortal human being, however, when subject to the dreamworld, he would be much more vulnerable.  Freddy is able to manipulate dreams and would most likely destroy Chucky by way of extreme explosion while he slept, scattering all of his pieces and stuffings throughout the dreamworld. Remember: “If you die in your dreams you die for real!”

Winner: Freddy Krueger

Method: Extreme Explosive Dismemberment

Leatherface vs Pinhead

Leatherface is rash and impulsive, thus his demise versus a telekinetic and supernatural power-harnessing demon from another dimension (such as Pinhead) would be rather quick!  Most likely, Leatherface would rush towards his opponent, only to be controlled by telekinesis and quickly facing his own chainsaw in the chest!

Winner: Pinhead

Method: Telekinetic Manipulation of a Chainsaw to the Gut

Freddy Krueger vs Leatherface

Leatherface may be muscular, fast and brutal, but he is no match for falling asleep and dying in his dreams.  Leatherface would likely be terrorized by confusion, as he is the least smartest of the horror movie slashers. When he awoke, it would probably be to the feeling of a chainsaw working its way through his chest somehow, or being impaled on a meat hook.

Winner: Freddy Krueger

Method: Impaled by a Running Chainsaw / Impaled on a Meat Hook

Jason Voorhees vs Chucky

Although Jason may be a little dumb, Chucky’s ability to outwit him may be nullified by Jason’s slower, unpredictable movements. Jason stands a chance at catching Chucky due to his slower movement increasing the likelihood of Chucky growing frustrated and getting too close to the slashing giant.  With Jason’s strength, it would not even require a machete!

Winner: Jason Voorhees

Method: Beheading and Crushing of the Doll’s Skull

Freddy Krueger vs Pinhead

The only killer with the ability to set up Freddy with a life sentence of psychological torture, or torture of any means, is Pinhead. Pinhead is a powerful demon capable of traveling between dimensions and manipulating reality.  Freddy lacks the ability to actually read minds and can only manipulate reality in the dreamworld. Does Pinhead even sleep?  In a fight, Freddy would only be able to resort to his agile martial-arts like movements focusing primarily on his claw-weapon.  This would make him no greater contest than a black belt in karate with a sword.*

*Though Freddy has been seen manipulating reality (telekinesis primarily) in the real-world…he is ultimately powerless against Pinheads ability to cause any object, including ones he would be controlling, to spontaneously combust.  Additionally, Pinhead can conjure any object out of thin air.

Winner: Pinhead

Method: Detainment and Psychological Torment For The Rest Of Time

Leatherface vs Chucky

Most victims run from Leatherface. Most of the other killers would stand up to fight Leatherface. Chucky, however, would hide to fight Leatherface. Chucky is a pretty smart doll, and being that he is really small and Leatherface is rather large and less flexible, Leatherface would have a hard time catching Chucky to inflict any damage. Chucky, on the other hand, is quite crafty and a very clever slasher. Before Leatherface had any idea what hit him, he’d be tumbling into a human-sized meat grinder.

Winner: Chucky

Method: Falling Into an Industrial Size Meat Grinder (or Wood Chipper of Sorts)

Pinhead vs Chucky

pinhead drawing

Unfortunately, Chucky faces the same problems as Michael Myers when it comes to Pinhead: Pinhead is a supreme supernaturally powerful demon and Chucky is a normal human being with a curse.  Chucky is also limited to human-capable methods of murder, such as death by knife…whereas Pinhead has the ability to create and manipulate the world with magic.

Winner: Pinhead

Method: Detainment and Dismemberment

Anyone vs Ghostface

Unfortunately for Ghostface, ridiculous teenagers with knives do not stand chances against real horror movie slashers (no offense Ghostface and Scream crowd).  While Ghostface may seriously tear through some victims on screen, he is most definitely the least likely to win out of all of the horror slashers when pit against any of them.

Winner: Anyone other than Ghostface

Method: Nearly Any Weapon Would Do

Freddy Krueger vs Jason Voorhees [real fight]

Horror Enthusiast disagrees with the result of Freddy vs Jason (2003) and thus has redrawn the scenario, as a proper horror fanatic would.  Freddy wins. Jason dies.  The end.

Winner: Freddy Krueger

Method: Drowning and Sleep-induced Coma

Final Notes About Which Killer Would Win

Pinhead is the clear overall winner, being able to detain and or destroy any of the other horror movie killers. However, Freddy Krueger is a close second, as his demon-like manipulation techniques are simply too powerful for any other slasher to overcome.  In a few scenarios, Freddy may even have a chance to take Pinhead out for good…though, highly unlikely! Chucky receives an honorable mention for his ability to take down some of the much larger giants despite his small size.

Although the fights are between killers who have franchises and are well known for their scary death counts, we realize we have not included all noteworthy horror slashers. If you would like to see how your killer of choice (or anyone we have left out) stacks up against the rest, leave a comment below!

Also, check out our other article on who has the most kills.

blank

Advertisements

Join "The Horror List" for Weekly Horror in your inbox






Join The Horror List