10 Terrifying Movie Monsters That Barely Appear

Longlegs was such a hit in 2024, it overshadowed Nicolas Cage's other venture in horror that year, Arcadian. In this post-apocalyptic thriller, the Face/Off actor plays Paul, a father who tries to protect his sons, Joseph and Thomas, from nocturnal monsters.

Virtually nothing is explained about the creatures, including their origins or their names. Although Paul takes reasonable precautions, it's never enough, since he's oblivious to the adversaries' skills and abilities.

After Joseph locks himself in the house, one of the brutes sticks its arm through the latch, trying to grab him. Of course, Joseph seems safe, since he's too far away. That's why it's freaky to see the monster elongate its fingernail until it's mere inches from Joseph's face.

The monsters are built up so well, a poor reveal could've diluted the tension in an instant. Fortunately, the creatures' design is a masterclass in triggering primal fear. Simply put, the monsters resemble a chimera of predators, due to their shaggy hair, crocodile snout, hippo teeth, and spider movements. They also have a camouflaged forehead that resembles a human face, giving off uncanny valley vibes. Even though overdesigning these fiends could've backfired, the special effects crew nailed it.