10 Horror Movies Where NOBODY Guessed The Killer

3. Brenda Bates - Urban Legend

Deep Red 1975
Sony Pictures Releasing

The criminally underappreciated Urban Legend does a superb job of leading the audience to believe that the killer will most likely be a man. 

The parka-wearing assailant certainly seems to carry themselves like a man physically, and so it comes as quite the surprise when they eventually reveal themselves to be Brenda Bates (Rebecca Gayheart), who is seeking revenge for the death of her boyfriend in a car accident caused by protagonist Natalie (Alicia Witt).

The film also does a sly job of steering suspicion away from Brenda early on, as immediately following the unforgettable opening kill scene, we cut to Brenda and her friends hanging out.

The editing seems to imply that these scenes are taking place close together, and so we're immediately less suspicious of everyone in the scene, including Brenda, even though the timeframe is never actually confirmed one way or another.

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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.