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Top 10 Creepiest Slasher Masks

In honor of See No Evil 2 releasing this week from Lionsgate and WWE Films, and with Jacob Goodnight donning a mask for the new outing, it seemed fun to look back as some of my favorite or creepier slasher masks of all time.  Here’s a list of 10, but I could have gone further as there are many masks and such that could have made the list as well and maybe you could shed light on them below.  How does one qualify?  Well, you have to don a mask that covers your face for your killing.  No, Hannibal Lector’s restraint does not count, sorry.  He’s not willing loving that masking popping it on so he can kill.  And people like Freddy and Chucky are cool, but they are moreso monsters and we’re looking at their actual faces.   Anywho, here’s my pick of Ten Creepiest Slasher Masks in alphabetical order by film.

The Hag Mask, Curtains (1983)

This mask is pretty creepy.  Just an ugly, scary old woman with a knife.  As a mask it even looks some sort of supernatural.  How do you make it scarier?  Put the killer on ice!

Hockey Mask, Friday The 13th (1982 starting with Part 3)

Jason doesn’t show up until Part 2, but even then he wasn’t how you would remember him.  His mask was an homage to another one on this list.  But when he puts on the mask in part 3 it all starts to make sense.  One of the coolest things in this franchise, is that while continuity is all sorts of whack and loose, the continuity of Jason’s mask is incredibly consistent.

The Shape, Halloween (1978)

Duh.  You knew this and the hockey mask were showing up.  This is sheer greatness and one of horror’s most iconic images.  What more can be said about the Shatner hero mask?  Its haunting with its almost emptiness yet weird familiarity.  Its also incredibly how they would go on to never get it close to the original in sequels (there were legal issues though).  Some more successful than others, but the original mask is one of the most frightening things you’ll ever witness in horror.

Gas Mask, My Bloody Valentine (1981)

While our killer isn’t Harry Warden, this is pretty much considered his getup.  In addition to the creepiness of not being able to get a hint of who’s behind the mask, you also get to have psychotic breathing.  Oh and a killer who has a flashlight on his head that can blind you from seeing him, that counts for something.

Decker’s Mask, Nightbreed (1990)

Cronenberg’s mask in the film is creepy as hell.  A misplaced mouth zipper coupled with buttons for eyes.  This is the thing of nightmares.  What plays even better is just HOW Cronenberg chooses to take it off and on.  He opens the zipper and sticks his fingers in the mouth hole to remove it from his head.  Such a great killer that I think gets overlooked.

Soldier Outfit, The Prowler (1981)

I’ve always found something really haunting about this lifeless soldier in the Joseph Zito/Tom Savini teamup.  It almost feels completely inhuman.  The film almost feels like it has a supernatural killer or like an object being pulled by strings from an outside force.  You’ll have to see it to understand what I’m saying.  The movements coupled by the look of the killer work so effectively.

Cupid Mask, Valentine (2001)

No, this movie isn’t really remembered, and not fondly from most.  But, damn if they didn’t get their killer outfit right.  This mask has some sort of scary old school artwork feel to it.  Like one of those creepy old paintings come to life.  And blood comes from the nose when a kill happens.  Of all the late 90s slasher booms, Valentine got it right above most if not all.

Ghostface, Scream (1996)

While there was a different person wearing it for every movie, this costume coupled with a phone voice was almost a character of its own in the series.  Craven and Williamson took what was a generic sort of joke costume and turned it into some absolutely frightening imagery.  Its incredible that it worked.  Pre-Scream, that outfit was not considered a scary one.  Now its linked to horror royalty.

Skin Mask, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

I’m not sure if Leatherface or Texas Chainsaw really goes under slasher, but it gets thrown in there.  And some of the films would use slasher aspects and tropes.  This mask is creepy when you think of what its made of, but also when you try to make out Leatherface’s actual face behind it, its even creepier.  Gunnar Hansen’s mouth movements make this one appear even grosser and more disturbing.  Another iconic one and rightfully so.

Baghead, The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

Like some others, there’s a terror to the blankness in this mask.  But a lot of the terror also comes because it feels sort of real.  Everyone remembers Jason’s baghead, but that one was only thought of because of this one.  This mask may come back to some relevancy with the advent of this sequel/reboot that has been playing recently.

All right, so what are some of your favorite masks that I didn’t mention?  Let me know below!