10 Horror Movie Villains Killed By Characters Nobody Expected

2. Frau Brückner - Phenomena

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Whilst a shortened version was released in the US under the name Creepers, the original name of the full version of this 1985 film is Phenomena.

Directed by Italian horror legend Dario Argento, Phenomena tells the story of a young American girl named Jennifer, played by Jennifer Connolly, who is sent to school in Switzerland. There, she discovers she has the ability to communicate with insects, which she uses to battle a serial killer who is targeting young women. 

It’s a bit of a wacky idea, but just roll with it. 

The school is overseen by the sinister Frau Brückner, portrayed by Argento favourite Daria Nicolodi. It is revealed that Brückner’s son is the killer and that she has been protecting him, which leads to a final confrontation between the murderous mother and the young American. 

Thankfully, Jennifer is saved when Brückner is attacked by Inga, who slashes her throat with a razor blade. Who is Inga, you ask? Why, she’s a chimpanzee whose owner was murdered by Brückner, of course! 

Why wouldn’t she be?

This mad ending is typical of Argento’s work and, in the grand scheme of things, is towards the tamer side of his ideas.

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Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.