Since the dawn of genre cinema, horror films have delighted audiences with gruesome death scenes at the hands of monsters and madmen. Over time, filmmakers have even come up with the Slasher subgenre to delight bloodthirsty audiences with a specific lust for over-the-top mock murder.
Of course, some of these cinematic deaths were bound to be stranger than others, with the killers often using unexpected tools to get the gruesome job done. With that in mind, we recently published an article highlighting six unusual weapons in horror movies, hoping to celebrate the creativity behind some of those iconic death scenes. However, with so many killer movies to choose from, we could never stop with just one list. That’s why we’re back with six more of the most unusual weapons in horror movies, this time with some suggestions from readers like you!
Like last time, the list will operate by a few rules. First, the weapons will be selected based on the overall creativity surrounding their use, so there’s no point in complaining that the rest of the movie wasn’t good. Second, the entries must have been actively used as a weapon, so no living creature (like the alligator from eaten alive) or environmental hazards (such as liquid nitrogen Jason X).
That said, be sure to comment below if you think we missed an important tool of the trade.
Now onto the list…
6. Corn on the cob (Sleepwalkers)
Written by Stephen King and directed by horror master Mick Garris, Sleepwalkers is a strange thread about a homicidal duo of shapeshifters in search of a virgin. Although it’s often remembered as one of King’s worst adaptations, I personally think that reputation is undeserved, as the movie is exceptionally fun if you enjoy it as an intentionally campy midnight movie.
A good example of this fun entertainment is when genre veteran Alice Krige uses a corncob to stab an unsuspecting policeman, followed by a 007-esque online delivery in the form of “no vegetables, no dessert”. This moment is so ridiculous it has to be seen to be believed, which is why this deadly piece of corn makes its way onto the list.
5. Paper clip (The city that dreaded sunset)
Based on a true Texarkana murder spree, it seems odd that Charles B. Pierce’s classic The city that dreaded sunset would feature one of cinema’s most absurd death scenes. However, when teenage musician Peggy finds herself helplessly tied to a tree, the Phantom Killer stabs her in a ridiculously elaborate manner, attaching a pocket knife to the end of his victim’s paper clip and play inside her.
Although technically it’s the knife at the end of the instrument that kills the victim, this death simply wouldn’t have the same impact were it not for the killer’s bizarre penchant for performance art. Luckily for fans of Creative Murder, the trombone would later reappear in the underrated 2014 sequel/reboot, directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.
4. Sentinels (Fantasy)
One of the most underrated masters of low-budget horror, Don Coscarelli is best known for his work on Fantasy, which follows a boy trying to stop a villainous undertaker from enslaving our planet’s dead. While Angus Scrimm’s intimidating performance as the menacing big man is scary enough, he also has a series of floating metallic orbs that live up to his expectations and are responsible for some of the franchise’s most memorable kills.
In a world filled with generic axe-wielding murderers and machete-wielding lunatics, it’s fun to see the filmmakers think outside the box when they come up with iconic horror villains and weapons, which is certainly the case here. And with their ability to constantly evolve between movies, becoming increasingly absurd in the sequels, Sentinels is about as iconic as horror can get.
3. Holy Water Super Soaker (From dusk till dawn)
Call From dusk till dawn a horror movie might be a bit of a spoiler (although the movie is over thirty years old at this point, so you have only yourself to blame), but the second half of this Rodriguez/Tarantino mash-up features some of the most creative vampire murders ever filmed. In fact, it’s pretty hard to pick a favorite weapon in a movie where Tom Savini shoots a crotch gun, but I’d have to go for the Super Soaker holy water.
Not only is it one of the most deliciously schlocky ideas in the movie, but it’s also a great little bit of character development, with the emergency holy water serving as a sign of Harvey Keitel’s renewed faith. These water guns were also accompanied by a series of holy water balloons, less stylish but just as effective.
2. Razor Candy (Trick or treats)
Rivaled only by John Carpenter’s iconic contribution to the slasher genre, Michael Dougherty Trick or treats is one of the most Halloween-centric experiences ever, with this seasonal anthology showcasing nearly everything we love about the spooky holiday. Naturally, that means the film references several urban legends that surround this festive occasion, including the classic “razor blade hidden in Halloween candy.”
This sugar-coated trap is wielded by the deceptively cute Sam like a cheeky little pocket knife, with the pumpkin-headed kid memorably using it to slice Brian Cox’s Achilles tendons like stale candy corn. Unconventional but effective!
1. Double Sided Dildo (Mortgasm)
by Jason Lei Howden Mortgasm is a fun, gory ride for fans of heavy metal and demonic horror-comedies. Following a group of metal-loving teenagers as they accidentally unleash an ancient demon that possesses the people of their small New Zealand town, there’s no shortage of bloody murders in the film. However, one particular scene of supernatural carnage stands out for its sheer absurdity.
Our heroes find themselves trapped by the murderously possessed, with the only weapons at their disposal being a creative assortment of sex toys hilariously hidden inside a box labeled “church stuff”. Naturally, a comedic battle ensues with the teens using a series of phallic objects to defend themselves, including the double-sided dildo. Not exactly my prefer zombie-killing weapon, but it’s surprisingly effective when wielded like a veiny nun!
