5 types of iconic masks that often appear in horror films

In the decades where the horror genre has retained popularity, filmmakers have played around with the looks of horror masks. From disturbing and abstract to unsettling and unexpected, with just a few alterations, the ordinary is warped to frighten and remind the audience that they’re not as far removed from their nightmares as they once thought. Listed below are five types of horror masks that you’re bound to recognize from a wide assortment of flicks.

Blank horror masks

Before Michael Myers graced the big screens in 1978 paving the way for iconically masked slasher killers, villains in horror movies wore plain horror masks as a means of hiding their identity. These blank, polished covers intentionally looked unreal as a way to symbolize emptiness and evil without any ability to project impressions and fears. These early types of horror masks still exist in modern-day films—can you think of any?

Sack horror masks

Similar to how blank horror masks make a murderer featureless, sack horror masks also do a good job of hiding the identity of a grim foe. Examples of sack-like masks include Trick ‘r Treat Sam and Jason Voorhees before he found his more recognizable hockey mask. Aside from covering up the killer’s identity, sack horror masks also bare a striking resemblance to a scarecrow. So, similar to how flocks of birds stay out of the farmer’s fields, victims stay away from not-so-friendly foes wearing a sack on their heads.

Animal horror masks

Many slashers in the genre explicitly disguise the villain as a lonely prankster at first, that if pushed over the edge, becomes a dangerous and unstoppable murderer. Examples of this are prevalent in the Saw franchise, with the welcoming of the realistic pig mask. The symbolism behind animal horror masks is not far from the visual impact; it’s a reminder that humans are not too far removed from beasts in the wild who’re doing their best to survive.

Ironic horror masks

When contemporary horror movies pay tribute to older classics by re-inventing a horror mask, it’s rather ironic. However, this happens all the time: in Happy Death Day, in the Purge series, and even in the Scream movies. That’s right! Ghostface is coincidentally a scarier representation of Edvard Munch’s painting, The Scream.

Grotesque horror masks

Horror film buffs know that slasher movies belong alongside bone-chilling masks, like one of our favorite grotesquely masked killers Leatherface. This wild cannibal hunts his prey and ensures that every part goes to good use. He even uses the skin of many victims to stitch together a mask of his own. As his face becomes distorted and decays, he must rely on new kills to keep his identity hidden.

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Do any other types of horror masks belong in the above blog? Drop a comment below to share with our readers.