10 Most Paused Zombie Horror Movie Moments

H.P. Lovecraft’s writing has spawned numerous cinematic adaptions, with Stuart Gordon’s mid-80s take on 1922’s Herbert West–Reanimator being one of the most striking. Be it the persistently vibrant violence, the tongue-in-cheek attitude, or the endearingly despicable nature of the titular antihero, there’s much to cherish.

Likely the part that gives audiences the greatest pause (both literally and figuratively), however, is the terrifically taboo instance when the decapitated body of West’s nemesis, Dr. Carl Hill, tries to force his severed head between the legs of his bare and bound daughter, Megan.

To be fair, Hill clearly takes joy in taunting her beforehand (as well as putting his mouth on her neck, chest, and stomach, to put it nicely); that said, no one could’ve expected Gordon and company to go even farther afterwards.

Barbara Crampton does a great job portraying Megan’s utter discomfort, and lucky for her (and us), Hill is stopped by West just before he does the deed. Nevertheless, the shot in question demands our attention not out of perverse pleasure, but rather out of disbelief for what we’re seeing.