10 PERFECT Monster Reveals In Horror Movies

The late Stan Winston was a special effects connoisseur, so it was only a matter of time before he oversaw his own creature feature. Due to his talents, his directorial debut, Pumpkinhead, was expected to boast some remarkable visuals. And boy, did it deliver. 

Not only did the titular beast have a magnificent design, but its introduction is chilling, as the demon isn't shown clearly when it's initially summoned, intentionally to build anticipation. When Pumpkinhead starts slaughtering the locals, it's mostly kept off-screen, teasing his unveiling further. While one of the heroes, Joel, is searching for Pumpkinhead inside a cabin, it abruptly pops its head through the doorframe, giving viewers their first proper look at the ruthless adversary.

Pumpkinhead has a conflicting design, since it's skeletal and spindly while simultaneously bulky and muscular. Its intro is accompanied by the sound of a rattlesnake rattle, emphasising its predatory behaviour. Though Pumpkinhead is huge, its size is exaggerated further by the subtle low-key lighting, fog, and framing.

Pumpkinhead rarely has a full-body shot (probably to hide the puppeteer controlling him), so there's a permanent air of mystery surrounding the gaunt monstrosity. Though revealing a monster can ruin its allure, showing Pumpkinhead made him exponentially more terrifying.