We all know horror movie windows are infamous for setting up a scare. As Halloween approaches, I can’t help but feel that same tension when I glance out my own windows. As soon as the moon rises and casts an eerie, pale light, I usually decide to draw the shades and head to bed. It’s not that I would mind watching the stars twinkle through the vast darkness, but I’d hate to catch a glimpse of something spooky. Especially during this time of year. Who knows what’s out there? It’s a lot easier to get a good night’s sleep when you don’t have to wonder about what horrors might be hiding behind the blinds. Scary movies have made a tradition out of terrifying windows that I can’t seem to ignore.
Here are some of the most thrilling and spine-chilling horror movie moments as seen through a window.
Psycho
Originally based on a novel by Robert Bloch, the “Psycho” story was made infamous in the 1960 film. Suspenseful from start to finish, the movie scared audiences across the country and made us leery about taking a shower. One of the most iconic images from “Pscyho” is the silhouette of Norma Bates overlooking the motel from her bedroom as the protagonist arrives.
Norma’s son Norman is in charge of the entire property and his mother is in charge of him. She seems particularly unhappy that another woman has decided to stay at the motel. All this leads to a terrifying meet-up in the shower. As it turns out, there’s a lot more, or less, to the Bates family that we’re initially led to believe.
Salem’s Lot
This Stephen King novel is better known for being adapted into one of the most memorable made-for-TV movies in history. I still remember screaming “stay away from the window” at my television as a kid. I always thought vampires were a creepy bunch, but this movie really sealed the deal. It also made me want to seal my windows shut!
The plot of “Salem’s Lot” centers itself in a small New England town that is slowly being taken over by a band of bloodsuckers. One of the first victims is a child, who inexplicably disappears. He then reappears, hovering menacingly outside of his brother’s window. Despite my best efforts of cautioning the characters through my television, the younger brother opens the window. Of course, he’s quickly enveloped by a mysterious fog and a pair of fangs. Remember, if your siblings turn into vampires, they’re not your siblings anymore. Next time I suggest pulling the curtains shut and going back to bed!
Twilight Zone
Nightmare at 20,000 Feet was one of the most popular “Twilight Zone” episodes ever made. It’s been parodied dozens of times, was reshot as a segment for the 1983 movie, and remade again in 2019 by Jordan Peele. Still, nothing beats the original. Starring a very young William Shatner, the episode revolves around a nervous man who can’t ignore what he sees outside of his window seat on an airplane. The worst part? Nobody else seems to notice.
Midway through the flight, he spots a creature standing on the wings of the plane. The man tries to alert his wife but she’s fast asleep. By the time he flags down a stewardess, the create has disappeared. The man becomes increasingly panicked as the creature begins to claw away at the engine. Unfortunately, Bob’s manic behavior has the rest of the passengers more worried about him. After landing, Mr. Wilson is whisked away in a straightjacket as the camera pans to side of the plane to show us that something, or someone, had in fact damaged the engine. Yikes!
Scream
“Do you like scary movies?” When Drew Barrymore received this creepy call at the beginning of the film, we knew she was going to be in for a long night. The masked antagonist, referred to as Ghostface throughout the series, stalks Barrymore outside of her house wearing the trademark “Scream” mask, based on the Edvard Munch Painting.
Barrymore’s character is forced to move from window to window in the house, desperately trying to get a glimpse at the caller. After being forced to answer a handful of threatening trivia questions, she finally catches a glimpse at the horror outside. The masked man throws a chair through her sliding patio door, forcing her to flee into the night. Never a good idea in a horror movie. “Scream” makes me want two things: an answering machine and some nice, thick blackout shades.
1408
Yet another Stephen King novel turned into a thrilling Hollywood production. This film may not be as notorious as “The Shining” or “It”, but “1408” has plenty of scares to call its own. One of the most mind-bending scenes comes when the main character, played by John Cusack, thinks he can get help from a man he sees outside of his hotel room window.
After being locked in room 1408, our hero desperately searches for a way out. He screams for help, but the busy city below him is uncaring. He notices a man directly across from him, peering out of his own window. Manically gesturing for help, Cusack sees that the figure across from him is simply miming all of his gestures. Holding a lamp up to his face, he realizes that the man opposite him is actually himself. Moments later, we notice a deranged figure sneaking up behind his mirrored persona. You’ll have to watch this horror flick to find out what happens next.
Whew! I hope you all closed your blinds and locked your windows securely before reading through this list. Even though there’s nothing creepy behind your curtains, sometimes it’s fun to make yourself a little scared. Don’t focus too much energy on worrying about what’s out there, anyways. After all, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
