Which masks in horror cinema are the most memorable?

Since the start of the pandemic, wearing masks has become the new normal, which was already part of the orderly routine of some of our favorite horror villains. While non-medical face masks are helping the world to slow the spread of COVID-19, we’re pretty certain that none of these face coverings are as spooktacular and memorable as those in horror cinema. Read below to find out how three of the most cherished masked villains got their claws on their emblematic facial coverings.

Jason Voorhees’ hockey mask

Before Jason acquired his iconic goaltender’s mask, the first installment (1980) and Part II (1982) he wore a burlap sack over his head that possessed a single eyehole. However, having lost his battle in Part III (1982), and his “mask”, after his struggle against victims Paul Holt and Ginny Field, Jason was forced to upgrade to a new look to cover his mauled face. He stole a Detroit Red Wings hockey mask which possessed a red arrowhead triangle between the eye holes and two red triangles on either side of the nose, pointing upwards diagonally towards the eyes. Later, that same mask would gain a diagonal crack above the left eye hole from the brunt force of an ax thrown by Chris Higgins.

Another interpretation surfaced in the reboot version of Friday the 13th (2009), showing that the Camp Crystal Lake mass murderer acquired his hockey mask from the character Donnie, who tore off Jason’s burlap sack. The enraged sociopath killed him and shortly after, found a Detroit Red Wings hockey mask inside a nearby crate, tried it on, and looked into the mirror. It mimicked the exact mask from Part III, although it was dingier with dirt and appeared to be more worn-out and faded than the original.

Whether you’re an admirer of the Friday the 13th franchise or simply a diehard fan of the sport of hockey, there’s no denying that Jason’s iconic mask is among the most memorable and often purchased by the supporters who buy horror masks online!

Michael Myers’ white mask

Halloween franchise buffs know that Michael Myers murders his teenage sister Judith on Halloween night in 1963. However, many forget that his iconic white mask isn’t used until he escapes Smith’s Grove Sanitarium 15-years-later. While his first slaying was orchestrated behind a funny clown mask with greenish-blue eyeshadow and a bright red nose, cheeks, and chin, his future massacres would be conducted using the time-honored expressionless, featureless, white mask.

In the original film of the series (1978), Michael escapes the mental institution to return to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. Upon his breakout, Michael stole some Halloween masks, some rope, and a knife from Nichol’s Hardware Store, the same shop where his mom had purchased his clown costume all those years ago.

While Michael continues to wear the same style of mask throughout the franchise, each film has a slightly different version to fit the actor wearing it.

The hauntingly blank mask mimics Captain Kirk’s death mask from Star Trek, although, slightly altered to create an ominous look for the killer. Those who buy horror masks online have the choice between which “The Shape” mask they order, dependent upon their collection and personal taste towards the cherished movie.

Ghostfaces’ scream mask

While the identity of Ghostface varies between the eight sociopaths within the franchise, the mask is a symbol for the town of Woodsboro, and horror fans everywhere.

The earliest film of the Scream franchise was released in 1996, 5 years after the “Ghostface” or “The Peanut-Eyed Ghost” costume first gained popularity among consumers as a Halloween ensemble. Consisting of a rubber white mask with black eyes, nose, and mouth, and a black, cloth-like material that is used as a hooded-robe with faux-tatters to drape over the arms and trim of the outfit, the novelty costume was easily purchasable and super common, creating the possibility for anyone to be the killer during the Woodsboro slayings.

Since Ghostface is rarely depicted as speaking, the personality and physical attributes are universal among killers who wear the costume, such as the ritualistic cleaning of the knife after each kill, the slashing of the throat of victims, the almost superhuman strength, and the rare grunt and groans when he/she is injured.

How about you? Have you ever concealed your identity behind the mask of this taunting villain?

Which of the above three masks has been most memorable for you? Drop a comment below to share with our other readers.