10 Horror Movies Where The Monster Isn't The Villain

10. Frankenstein

Mary Shelley literally wrote the book on the "the monster is not the villain" concept, so it'd be criminal not to include James Whale's film adaptation.

Although 1931's Frankenstein is drastically different from the source material, the core concept is the same. The film and the novel follow eccentric scientist Victor Frankenstein, who successfully reanimates a corpse whose abnormal appearance attracts unwanted attention, which leads to tragedy.

Even though the book depicts the Creature as sympathetic, there are moments where he's unjustifiably brutal (like when he rips out an innocent woman's heart). Fortunately, this adaptation excludes aspects like this and focuses more on the Creature's childlike innocence.

Sure, the bolt-necked monster performs a few murders, but it's never out of malice. For example, he throttles a doctor for trying to vivisect him and hangs Frankenstein's assistant after he viciously beat him. Then there's the infamous pond scene where, while throwing flowers into a pond with young Maria, the Creature notices the petals floating. Believing Maria will float too, he chucks her into the water, inadvertently drowning her. Yes, he committed a horrible act, but his intentions weren't evil.

If the Creature was raised with kindness instead of fear, these atrocities could've been avoided.