Puzzling Villains Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leatherface

Leatherface comes from the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" franchise, and first appeared on film in 1974. Played originally by Gunnar Milton Hansen, Leatherface is a big, physically strong man, who is mentally impaired, and therefore easily controlled by his sadistic, cannibalistic family.

Indeed long before Robert Englund began his stint as dream demon Freddy Krueger, in the original "A Nightmare on Elm Street" film franchise, Hansen was playing Leatherface. His performance certainly helped pave the way for other, iconic, slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees.

Answer: Hannibal Lecter

Hannibal Lecter is a cannibalistic serial killer from the film adaptation of Thomas Harris' series of novels. Though the character was first seen on screen in 1981's "Manhunt", it is Anthony Hopkins' depiction of the character, in 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs", which is the most well-known portrayal.

Indeed Hopkins' performance as the brilliant psychiatrist won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, which was remarkable in that Hopkins only appeared onscreen for around 16 minutes. In 2003, "AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Heroes and Villains'" list named Hopkins' character as the number one movie villain, firmly cementing his status as a cultural icon.

Answer: Pinhead

Pinhead is a regular feature of Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" series, and is played by British actor, Doug Bradley. Pinhead was once human, but is now an extra-dimensional being belonging to a race called the Cenobites, all of whom have been mutilated to various degrees. Pinhead's appearance is extremely distinctive and he is instantly recognisable due to the many nails that protrude from his skull. Modelled somewhat on Count Dracula, Pinhead is far removed from the quipping comic "baddy", and is instead presented as an intense, extremely controlled and highly intelligent individual.

Answer: Norman Bates

Norman Bates is the unhinged villain from "Psycho", who was first brought to life on screen by Anthony Perkins, in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film of the same name. Based on Robert Bloch's 1959 novel, (also called "Psycho"), Bates is a misogynist, who grew up believing all women to be whores, apart from his controlling (but now deceased) mother, Norma. Following the death of his mother, he inherits the family home and hotel, where he proceeds to murder women, wearing his dead mother's clothes to do so.

Moreover he keeps his mother's corpse in the house, regularly having conversations with it, and even going so far as to speak in the voice of his mother while doing so. Hitchcock's famous 'shower scene' occurs right at the start of the film, and has certainly contributed to the character's longevity, as has his infamous quote, "A boy's best friend is his mother".

Answer: Margaret White

Margaret White is the abusive, mentally ill mother of Carrie White, the girl with the power of telekinesis who, after being tormented by her classmates, kills them all in a fire. Margaret White was first portrayed on screen by Piper Laurie, in Brian De Palma's 1976 adaptation of Steven King novel, "Carrie". Emotionally and physically abusive towards her daughter, Margaret White is presented as an extreme religious fanatic, who sees almost no activity or simple pleasure as acceptable, but rather as examples of sin.

This, along with Carrie's burgeoning sexuality pushes her over the edge, and is precisely what leads Margaret to attempt to murder her own daughter at the end of the film, when she attacks her with a butcher's knife.

Answer: Damien Thorn

Damien Thorn is the main villain of "The Omen" series, and has been portrayed by many different actors, including Harvey Spencer, Seamus Davey Fitzpatrick and Jonathan Scott-Taylor. Damien is the embodiment of the Antichrist, and was born in Vatican City on the sixth hour of the sixth day of the sixth month.

After being adopted by an American couple things soon begin to go wrong, and many deaths occur, including one of Damien's nannies, a photojournalist, an Italian priest and the unborn child of his adopted parents.

Moreover not only does Damien appear terrified of churches, but he is continually watched over by a big, black dog, as well as his new nanny, Ms. Baylock, who has been sent directly from Hell to protect him.

Answer: Patrick Bateman

Patrick Bateman is the main character in Mary Harron's 2000 psychological thriller, "American Psycho". Based on Bret Ellison's 1991 novel of the same name, "American Psycho" tells the story of high-life living, Wall Street investment banker, Patrick Bateman, who walks a fine line between being a successful yuppie and a sociopathic serial killer. First played by Christian Bale, Bateman spends much of the film trying to keep the mask from slipping, and is thus prone to terrifying outbursts of violence. Seemingly indiscriminate when it comes to choosing his victims, Bateman murders colleagues, prostitutes and members of the homeless community.

Answer: Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill is the main antagonist of the film adaptation of Thomas Harris' "The Silence of the Lambs". Played by Ted Levine, the main plot of the film revolves around the FBI's attempts to catch him, and it is this story arc which leads to the FBI seeking the help of Hannibal Lecter. Buffalo Bill's real name is Jame Gumb, and his motivation for killing is so that he can skin his victims and eventually create a female suit for himself.

He corners trainee FBI Agent Starling in pitch darkness near the end of the film, using his night vision goggles to observe her movements. With only her hearing to rely on, Starling shoots him, just as he is preparing to strike, killing him outright, and finally bringing an end to his reign of terror.

Answer: Samara Morgan

Samara Morgan is the mysterious, otherworldly villain from the 2002 American remake of "The Ring". Played by Daveigh Chase and Kelly Stables, Samara is presented as a little girl, whose long, dark hair covers her entire face. She uses the power of thoughtography to curse a videotape, so that anyone who watches it will be automatically cursed too, and will thus die within a week.

The story goes that Samara's mother tried to drown her when she was a baby, because she believed her child was possessed with a demon. Samara's birthmother was then sent to an asylum, while Samara was adopted by a childless couple.

However as Samara grew older, her abilities tortured her adoptive mother, and eventually led to the latter trying to kill the former by suffocating her.

After dropping her adopted child down a well, the woman then committed suicide, believing Samara to be dead. However the little girl was in fact alive, and was forced to endure a whole week down the well before she died herself.

Answer: Candyman

The Candyman is the main villain from the 1992 horror film of the same name. Played by Tony Todd, Candyman is the son of a slave, who was tortured and murdered by townspeople, after having an illicit affair with a white woman. Enraged, they cut off one of his hands, replacing it with a hook, before then slathering him with honey and allowing bees to sting him to death.

As a result, his story becomes an urban legend of sorts, except that unlike most urban legends, he can be summoned to life by calling his name five times while looking into a mirror.