10 Most Stupid Characters In Classic Horror Movies

Nobody could be as stupid as a victim in a horror movie, but these ten are as dumb as they come!

Tucker And Dale Vs Evil
Magnet Releasing

If you've ever watched a horror movie and thought that some of the characters on screen were complete and total morons, you're not alone. In order for a movie to deliver the right amount of blood, gore, and screams, the characters have to be fairly open to making terrible decisions.

Nobody is going to walk into an abandoned warehouse alone and at night when a killer is on the loose. Because of this, the audience must watch with a guarded suspension of disbelief, which makes it possible to enjoy seeing someone get torn to pieces by whichever monster they run into.

All of that is a given, but there are some characters who do things so outrageously stupid, it's hard to suspend disbelief long enough to keep from shouting at the screen. Everyone's done it at one point or another while watching a classic horror movie, and it's usually because some idiot does something... well, idiotic.

There are thousands of great horror movies featuring moronic characters, but these ten feature some of the most foolish of the bunch that must have had a death wish...

10. Jaws - Mayor Larry Vaughn

Tucker And Dale Vs Evil
Universal Pictures

Mayor Larry Vaughn has a big problem in the movie Jaws: how do you balance the safety of your constituents with the need to generate income? That's not an easy question to answer, and it's compounded by the fact that there's a gigantic shark eating people around Amity Island.

When the first victim is found, it's clear that a large predator is stalking the beachgoers in the area, which creates a panic. After all, most people aren't going to want to set foot in the water if doing so means being torn to shreds, only to then be pooped out later by a big fish.

Mayor Vaughn finds himself being advised by a world-renowned shark expert and the chief of police, who tells him that he should absolutely not reopen the beaches. The advice falls on deaf ears, and the Mayor goes on television to let people know they have nothing to fear.

There was ample evidence of a terrible threat to constituents, but the Mayor simply doesn't listen, and five people (plus one unfortunate dog) die as a result. His actions are stupid, to say the least, but also flagrantly indifferent to the safety and health of his community.

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Jonathan is a graphic artist, illustrator, writer, and game designer. Jonathan retired from the U.S. Army in 2017 and enjoys researching and writing about history, science, theology, and many other subjects. He writes for ScreenRant, CBR, NerdBastards, Listverse, Ranker, WhatCulture, and many other sites online. You can check out his latest on Twitter: @TalkingBull or on his blog: jonathanhkantor.com