10 Horror Movie Villains Secretly Introduced Way Earlier Than You Realise
9. The Canker Man - Before I Wake
Before he was taking over Netflix with masterpieces like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, Mike Flanagan was foraying into the world of horror with 2016's Before I Wake.
The film follows the story of a young boy named Cody who, after being adopted by parents-to-be Jessie and Mark, is revealed to have an ability that brings his dreams and nightmares into the real world. The film is a poignant look at childhood phobias, with the chief baddie of the flick being what Cody describes as 'The Canker Man' - a manifestation of all the terrors that come from his mother dying from Cancer.
In one of Cody's early demonstrations of his abilities, Jessie and Mark are greeted by a swarm of butterflies visiting them in their living room. One black moth lands on Jessie and bites her hand, though not much attention is given against what is shown to be an otherwise magical moment.
However, the darkness surrounding this moth is subtly shown wrapping around the doorframe and going upstairs, showcasing The Canker Man radiating from Cody.