TV seems to have a fascination with serial killers in recent years. Whether it’s their methods or their psychology, we just can’t help but be fascinated by them, for better or worse. These five have stood out for me above all others for their creepiness and terror they’ve inspired. Like snowflakes, no two serial killers are alike, and all of these have different styles and techniques that make them terrifying.
The Carver (Nip/Tuck)
This season three arc marked the pinnacle of the show for me. “Beauty is a curse upon the world” was a memorable slogan for this killer, and he targeted the most beautiful victims he could find, series regular Kimber included. Nip/Tuck did a great job of hiding his identity. When it was finally revealed, it was a shock to almost everyone, though it seems to obvious in retrospect.
Trinity (Dexter)
Dexter has squared off against a ton of serial killers in his day, and even is one himself which could have easily landed him a spot on this list. But is he really all that scary? He only kills bad guys after all. But Trinity? Man, was he horrifying. He was a seemingly nice, normal guy, but in secret he held his family together with fear, and had a cycle of killing that left dozens of bodies in his wake.
T-Bag (Prison Break)
We see T-Bag kill a few times during Prison Break, but his most horrible crimes happened before the show aired. It’s implied that he used to abduct, molest and kill children, making him the worst kind of criminal. His persona is just incredible on the show, and he just seethes evil for the duration of the show.
Bloody Face (American Horror Story)
This is a killer that we’re still learning about on American Horror Story, but we did learn his identity just this week. It was a character I can safely say few us were expecting to turn out to be bad, but then again, this is American Horror Story, everyone’s bad. His story is still being told, but he bears marked similarities to real life skinner/cannibal Ed Gein. Both make lamps out of human skin, and killed around the same time.
Sylar (Heroes)
And now I HAVE to comment on the (American Horror Story spoilers) development that Zachary Quinto now plays TWO serial killers on this list as HE is actually Blood Face as well. Before that however, he was Sylar, the superpowered murderer from Heroes with a knack for taking out people’s brains. Is Quinto being typecast? I guess that’s kind of an awesome thing to be typecast for, but I wonder if he minds.
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My favorite was Sylar because he was powerful and had no conscience he loved to hurt other people because he knew he could now that’s badass
Lauren, you are messed up.
The Carver was pretty creepy (the mask really), but since only one person was murdered by The Carver I don’t think the term “serial killer” really applies. Definitely a creepy serial rapist, though.
What about Foyet in Criminal Minds? He was sadistic and flat out evil, killing for the sake of killing. He should be on this list…
There’s one glaring omission on this list. The single scariest episode of TV ever was the episode were Laura Palmer’s killer was revealed on Twin Peaks and they really showed Killer Bob.
Thanks for the spoiler alert! I just started watching American Horror Story! Awesome!!! Someone should be fired!
We are a television news site, which means that once something airs, it’s fair game to be written about on the internet. Also, if you just started watching AHS then that means you are one or two seasons behind, as I’m not sure exactly where you are. We don’t post a spoiler alert for something that was revealed weeks or months ago. The general agreement across the internet is that something is no longer a spoiler once it airs on the east coast – and certainly after it airs on the west coast. I’m sorry you got spoiled, but we can’t predict individual viewing habits.
You’re missing Frank Breitkopf and George Foyet from Criminal Minds. Top of the game serial killers who were even scarier because they were as real as you could get.
I totally agree with you, I immediately thought of them when I saw this Top5…