10 Horror Movie Franchises That Stupidly Killed Off Their Best Character

Nobody exemplifies the "mad scientist" trope better than Victor Frankenstein (who's called Henry Frankenstein in the 1931 adaptation).

However, Dr. Septimus Pretorious (Ernest Thesiger), who debuted in The Bride of Frankenstein, fits the bill of a deranged physician far more than the titular character. The goblet-chugging renegade has a picnic in the crypt, trades barbs with the bolt-necked Monster, and seals miniaturised humans in jars for his own amusement. Due to his unapologetically evil behaviour, there are times where Pretorious acts less like a mad scientist, and more like a full-blown supervillain, on par with Doctor Doom or Lex Luthor.

Worst of all, Pretorious compels others, including Frankenstein, to indulge in their vices. Although Frankenstein saw the folly of his experiments, Pretorious convinced him to forge a mate for The Monster, solely so he can use the creatures for his own wicked machinations.

Pretorious is so mesmerising, it was a huge shame when he perished during the climax. Although the next five sequels had some entertaining villains, especially Bela Lugosi's Ygor, none of them came close to capturing the gleeful menace of Septimus Pretorious.