10 Best Horror Movie Opening Scenes Of The 1990s
4. Urban Legend
Even though Urban Legend had a great premise, it was let down by thin character development, an uneven tone, and a predictable twist.
With that said, it's hard to fault the first sequence. The 1998 slasher begins on a stormy night with college student Michelle pulling into a gas station. Due to the pounding rain, isolation, and flickering lights, the mood is naturally unsettling. To heighten the tension further, the only person at the station is a stuttering attendant, Michael (played delightfully by Brad Dourif).
When Michael alerts Michelle that her credit card isn't working, he asks her inside to sort out the situation. After locking her in, Michael tries to speak to her, but struggles due to his stammer. Believing he means her harm, Michelle maces Michael, giving her the chance to jump into her car and drive off. At this point, first-time viewers should breathe a sigh of relief, believing Michelle escaped by the skin of her teeth.
As she flees the scene, Michael yells there's someone hiding in the backseat of her vehicle, proving he was trying to warn her the entire time. This sudden reversal, punctuated by the chilling axe murder that follows, sideswipes viewers while also offering a taste of the urban legend-based kills to come.