WARNING: This Article May Contain Spoilers
So it was mentioned to me by a reader of this blog that they are not a massive fan of children in horror films but I’ve noticed something. Killer children don’t just reside in the horror genre, so let’s take a look at these miniature menaces that took murder to the big screen.
The Children of Gatlin (Children of the Corn)
As with any film based on a Stephen King story, you know there’s more to it than what you are first presented with, but we aren’t here to talk about that. Instead, we are going to discuss the children that killed all the adults of Gatlin under the instruction of creepy little Isaac – and yes, I mean creepy, even down to that hat of his in the opening scene. Unlike the other children discussed in this article – there is no motive other than the word of ‘The One Who Walks Behind The Rows’. So what I’m basically saying is – this is a cult made up of children, led by a child!
Mikey (Mikey)
The most disturbing thing about this whole film is actually how natural it all is and he even comes across, outside of the killing, as a normal child. It’s the denial of love, from his best friend’s sister and (according to him) from his parents too, that turns Mikey into a killer. There’s a darkness in this child that’s almost unparalleled, unless maybe by Damian from The Omen. I’m just going to point out, that this child is 9 years old and he films all the murders he commits.
Hit Girl (Kick-Ass)
This is one of the examples of killer kids not just residing in a horror film. Hit Girl is a 13 year old that should not be underestimated. Mindy may look cute but she’s a bad-ass in a fight and isn’t afraid of anyone. She takes down a whole apartment of drug dealers, to the Banana-Splits theme tune – just to remind you that she is still actually a child. You want to talk about strength? This girl has to watch her father, and mentor, die and she takes down the men responsible in the same night – and there’s no tears. Don’t get me wrong, I cry every time I watch that scene! It does make me wonder how Mark Strong felt in the final fight though – having to ‘kick’ a child.
Hayley Stark (Hard Candy)
My second example of a killer kid not in a horror setting. She is much more psychological than violent, and I guess truthfully she doesn’t kill Jeff. Instead she forces him to kill himself but is that not murder by suggestion? Truthfully, if the police were called, out of all of these – Hayley would be the hardest to prove guilty.
Jeremy Gordon (Sick Boy)
It’s not the best film in the world and it is a bit of a slow burner but the ending doesn’t disappoint – you don’t actually see Jeremy properly until the last 20 minutes. OK, so unlike the other children mentioned in this article, Jeremy only kills a couple of people but the how is what will really gets you. The whole idea behind it is a little like the ending to Shaun of the Dead, there’s just nothing funny about any of it.
Ester (Orphan)
OK, so I know a number of you are going to argue with me that she technically isn’t a child, but you can’t tell me that isn’t the genius of this film. The first time you watch it, the reality of Ester’s identity will take you by surprise but for all intents and purposes, for the majority of the film she is a child – and she does kill. Want to make it even darker, she practically coerces her deaf foster sister into helping her with one of the murders, well covering it up anyway.
