10 Horror Movie Characters Who Were SECONDS Away From Surviving

8. Barbara - Night Of The Living Dead

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"They're coming to get you, Barbara!", but they sure as hell didn't have to.

Despite being a catatonic wreck for much of the movie, Night of the Living Dead's Barbara (Judith O'Dea) very nearly survives the night in tact, were it not for making one infuriating mistake.

After finally snapping out of her traumatised state, she tries to help Ben (Duane Jones) fend off the impending zombie horde, though ends up frozen in fear when she notices her dead brother Johnny (Russell Streiner) among the undead.

Those few seconds of pause allow Johnny to drag her into the zombified mass, before Ben retreats into the cellar and waits the zombies out.

The next morning, the armed posse arrives and takes care of the remaining ghouls, but of course, they end up mistaking Ben for a zombie and shoot him dead also.

Had Barbara reacted just a little quicker and headed down into the cellar with Ben, she clearly would've been the sole survivor, because let's face it, she's a white woman who doesn't present even the faintest threat to the redneck army.

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Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.