10 Terrifying Characters In Non-Horror Movies

Matilda may not be the most grotesque work in Roald Dahl’s canon, but in Miss Trunchbull, he created a villain to put the fear in the hearts of kids and adults alike. School can be a scary place for kids at the best of times, but under the iron fist of Trunchbull, it’s downright terrifying.

The evil principal, brilliantly played by Pam Ferris, is responsible for many of the most iconic scenes of Danny DeVito’s 1996 adaptation. From forcing Bruce Bogtrotter to munch down a gigantic gateau to locking kids in a monstrous cupboard known as the chokey, she is the key player in a typically cruel Roald Dahl universe. As is usual for the cantankerous author, Trunchbull doesn’t even get that much of a comeuppance, simply being forced out of the school by Matilda’s psychic powers. Pam Ferris did suffer a number of on set injuries, however, so that’s something.

Matilda has since been adapted into a hugely successful stage musical, and while the childhood wish fulfilment aspect is a large reason for the story’s endurance, the dark core of Matilda remains its evil head teacher.