The Top 10 Best Movie Serial Killers

Movie Serial Killers Will Tickle that Dark Part Inside Your Soul.

It’s kind of weird how obsessed we seem with serial killers these days. Then again, there’s something morbidly intriguing about those deranged beings who can kill so easily and without remorse. Maybe it’s because we simply don’t understand them or maybe it’s that we understand their dark urges all too well…

Anyhoo, I’ve decided to take a look at some of the most memorable movie serial killers that have ever appeared on the silver screen. Of course, I ran into a problem early with this list and decided not to include murderers with supernatural powers, so you won’t see the likes horror flick hall of famers Jason Vorhees, Freddy Krueger, or Michael Myers on this list (don’t worry, they’ll get their time in the spotlight soon). You also won’t see any masked psychos on here either, since they’re in a class all their own (plus they tend to be more spree killers/mass murderers). Finally, I did my best to stick to purely fictional serial killers. So, no biopics or characters blatantly based on particular killers. The end result is a combination of movie serial killers that are not only some of the most brutal, but also the most interesting. So, make sure you take a moment to double-check the locks and windows because this list is filled with characters you wouldn’t want reading over your shoulder.

10. Sweeney Todd- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street 

I’m kicking off this list of movie serial killers with a bit of a fan favorite. Now, I know I said I wasn’t going to include any who were based on real murderers, but this version has had plenty of artistic liberties taken with it (based on a musical inspired by a killer). Johnny Depp plays the Demon Barber himself, who is seeking revenge on those responsible for the wrongful conviction that put him in prison these past 15 years. His weapon of choice is a straight razor he uses to slash his victims’ throats just as they settle in for a shave. Of course, getting rid of bodies in Victorian England is a bit of a nuisance, but Todd finds just the perfect accomplice to help with the disposal. How, you might ask? Let’s just say that her meat pies were particularly popular that year. Sweeney Todd might not be the most intimidating of the movie serial killers on this list, but he’s probably got the best singing voice.    

9. Earl Brooks- Mr. Brooks

Hey, I’m not going to argue that Mr. Brooks was a great movie. After all, the presence of Dane Cook tends to negate anything good in most movies. Kevin Costner’s portrayal as a serial killer who carefully plans out his murders perfectly is actually quite chilling, especially as the net starts to close in around him. While he might not be the scariest of the movie serial killers on this list, he’s one who definitely knows how to get the job done and has everyone around him fooled. He’s also one of the only ones actually trying to maintain a normal life outside of his, shall we say, “alternative lifestyle.” He even tries to apply the 12-steps to his own addiction, though the craving tends to get the better of him in the end. Personally, I suspect that every super-rich white guy probably has a secret murder hobby. Then again, most of them probably satisfy their sadism through subprime mortgages and predatory lending… 

8. Hans Beckert- M

Let’s take a trip back in time to one of the earliest appearances of a serial killer on the big screen. Peter Lorre plays Hans Beckert who is one of the most despicable kinds of murderers of all, a killer of children. His actions cause such a stir through the German city that he uses as his hunting ground that soon. He finds himself not just pursued by the police, but also the criminal underworld as well (even the most hardened criminals tend to have lines they won’t cross). Even with everyone looking for him, Beckert can’t help his compulsion to kill. In fact, he actually seems tormented by these impulses that he can’t fight against, which makes for a fascinating performance. Despite it being an “oldie,” M is still a truly great film from one of the most extraordinary directors who ever lived, Fritz Lang. That’s why Beckert has managed to stand the test of time and remain one of the greatest movie serial killers of all time.  

7. Mick Taylor- Wolf Creek and Wolf Creek 2

Most movie serial killers try their best to blend into society in order to not call attention to themselves. Well, Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) is about as antisocial as you can get thanks to a potent mix of sexism, xenophobia, probable racism, and just being a dick in general. That’s why he spends most of his days trolling around the outback hunting for tourists that have strayed off the beaten path. See, Mick hates anyone who wasn’t born and bred in Australia. The way he views it, he’s just helping to keep the trash out of his beautiful country (personally, I see Australia as a deathtrap thanks to its unique fauna). He’s proven to be such a popular big-screen psycho that he even earned a sequel and his own series on Shudder, indicating that he is definitely a fan favorite in the horror community. Honestly, Mick is one of the more terrifying movie serial killers I’ve seen in years since he loves the hunt almost as much as he enjoys torturing his trophies.

6. John Ryder- The Hitcher

It was a tough call deciding which version of John Ryder I was going to include on this list of movie serial killers. Rutger Hauer’s performance in the 80s was pretty intense, but Sean Bean’s interpretation was more like the hellspawn of a serial killer and a terminator. No matter what was thrown at him, Bean just kept coming right up to the bitter end. Both Ryder’s shared the same modus operandi in which they posed as a run of the mill hitchhiker waiting for an unsuspecting good samaritan to come along and offer a ride. That act of kindness would quickly prove to be their last since Ryder will stop at nothing until he’s ended their lives. No matter who gets in the way or how safe his victims might think they are, Ryder will soon emerge from the shadows looking to collect his price. He doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but I feel like John Ryder is perhaps one of the most dangerous movie serial killers ever to roam the big-screen.