10 Scariest Mad Scientists In Horror Movies
These crazy doctors tried to play God.
The Final Girl. The Misunderstood Creature. The Serial Killer. These are all tropes that have been popularised by the horror genre.
However, the most recognised horror archetype has to be The Mad Scientist. This is a person who desires to perform a scientific act regarded as abnormal. The individual may want to resurrect the dead, swap minds with another, or create a perfect lifeform. Because the experiment is performed through unconventional means, it is regarded as questionable, blasphemous, or impossible. However, this opposition often drives the scientist in question further to prove everyone wrong with his or her work.
Now, there are some movie scientists who perform dubious experiments for noble reasons. But we're not really going to be looking at those guys. Instead, we will be mainly analysing scientists whose actions originated from a selfish, disgusting, or evil place. Some mad men perform unspeakable acts in the name of science purely for their own ego, fame, or sexual gratification.
Even though there have been many deranged scientists over the years, we will be looking at the top ten craziest.
10. Victor/Henry Frankenstein - Frankenstein
There is no way you can discuss mad scientists without thinking about Dr. Frankenstein. Even though the iconic chemist debuted in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein novel in 1818, it was Colin Clive's performance in the 1931 film that popularised the deranged doctor trope. Much like the creature that Frankenstein revives, Clive is responsible for breathing life into a crucial archetype in the horror genre.
Interestingly, Frankenstein is depicted very differently in the source material. When the Monster comes to life, Victor is ashamed of his creation and shuns it. But in the film, Frankenstein (who's forename was changed to 'Henry'), goes mad with power, pontificating to the heavens and comparing himself to god.
By today's standards, overdramatic performances from this era can come across as hammy and theatrical. However, Clive is so compelling and convincing in his deranged ramblings, you completely buy that he believes what he's saying.
There have been countless mad scientists over the years but they all share a common trait with Clive's rendition of Frankenstein - their uncompromisable compulsion to perform the impossible drove them completely bonkers.