The Wardrobe of Horror

In every good horror film, and in most films in general, there is a villain. The classic scoundrels of our time include figures such as Dracula, Frankenstein, Darth Vader, Predator, the Joker, and the Wicked Witch of the West. Apart from these mentioned are several other baddies are numerous others that live in the collective memory of society. One would think that after so many exemplary displays of evil, they would all begin to blend together after a period of time. Why is it that it is still possible to differentiate between them? They do have specific personalities, but arguably the most defining feature of each villain is their recognizable “villain garb”.

The clothing that a character wears can help to define and mold them as a believable person, and like people, each different type or style of clothing conveys a different message to the viewer. One of the more recognizable kinds of villain attire is the cape. A villain’s cape is almost always black or dark in color. The billowy motion of the cape is reminiscent of a bat or a creeping shadow, either of which may be connected with darkness. This particular piece of clothing is most commonly associated with Dracula, the most infamous vampire in print. The Phantom of the Opera also wears a cape, in accordance with the shadowy life led underneath an opera house. Witches, like the Wicked Witch of the West, traditionally don capes as well, in correlation to the bats that they are often seen with. In the popular movie series Star Wars, Darth Vader is marked by his unique helmet and cape adornment, which alludes to the darkness that seems to enshroud him.

Ripped, dirty, or ragged clothing is another trademark of a character who has wandered far off the beaten path, be it moral or physical. Frankenstein’s outfit consists of little more than rags. While serving for added shock factor, since the resulting appearance is of something that has been decaying, they represent the fact that the monster himself has been assembled from different parts, and is incomplete or flawed. 

In contrast, the Joker from the Batman series dresses in a jacket-and-pant suit – hardly what one would call ragged. The reason that he is so distinct and memorable in appearance stems from several different factors. The first is his physical features – that is, his hair and makeup. The Joker is a self-defined madman, and dresses the part with clown makeup and green hair. His purple suit is far from conventional, and it is sometimes portrayed as dirty and stained. What makes him creepy is how well his clothes reflect his personality – they are distorted and unusual, but smart. The Joker is very intelligent, and the fact that he is not just a psychopath, but a smart one at that makes for a terrifying figure. His choice of clothing acts as a magnifying lens for that insight, and increases the fascination of the character.

Villains may choose to outfit themselves with weapons of some kind, often paired with a physical disfigurement and clothing representative of what they are or do. In the sci-fi thriller Predator, the Predator is outfitted in warrior’s armor, with numerous weapons attached. He is physically repulsive to humans, and the viewer is caught wondering whether his teeth or his knives will do the most damage. The same intimidation factor holds true for the Predator’s counterpart, Alien. 

The infamous Freddy Krueger is physically terrifying to see, and he is almost always seen wearing the long claws that he made for himself. He dresses in a fedora, tattered red-and-green sweater, and brown pants. This surprising outfit selection reflects his prey: children and teenagers. He is dressed in something that a child might wear, and this is what turns him into a “child’s nightmare”. Michael Myers wears a dirty, often bloodstained janitor’s outfit, as well as a mask.  He carries a butcher’s knife, and never speaks. This outfit and his lack of speech identify a character who is never noticed, like a janitor, and who can easily be anywhere. It is also a surprisingly simple article of clothing, and blends well with the overall simplicity of the character’s murderous intentions.

Hollywood villains need more than a vendetta to be memorable. They need a personality, and a distinctive image. It is not always true that clothes make the person, but rather that clothes can help make up a person. For more information on famous villains of book and cinema, please feel free to peruse the following links.

·        100 Greatest Heroes and Villains

·        Top 5 Scary Movie Villains

·        A History of Horror Films

·        Greatest Horror Films