Bad Dads: the 10 most petrifying patriarchs of horror

June 18, 1:39 AMHartford Horror Movies ExaminerMary Eschuk

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In honor of this upcoming Father’s Day, let’s take a look back at the fathers that you should thank your lucky stars aren’t yours:

 10. Burwell Rollins, The Messengers (2007):

This deadly dad isn’t content just murdering his own wife and kids and  burying them in the basement, he wants to do the same to Jess (Kristen  Stewart) and her little brother Ben while working as their family’s  farmhand.

 9. Chucky, Seed of Chucky (2004):

What would a list of freakiest fathers of all time be without Chucky?  Murder is a family affair in this installment of the killer doll series, although frankly, Chucky’s mutant offspring Glen is almost scarier than he is.

  8. Takeo, The Grudge (2004):

To be fair, it’s really mommy Kayako and son Toshio who do most of  the destruction in this Japanese ghost tale.  But who made them into  murderous wraiths intent on torturing innocent Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar)? This guy right here.

 7. ‘Dad’ Meiks, Frailty (2001):

It’s very important to do activities with your children, whether that involves playing catch in the backyard or systematically murdering those you believe to be tainted by the devil.  Mr. Meiks (Bill Paxton) chose the latter.

 6. Sheriff Gus Gilbert,  Pet Sematary 2 (1992):

Okay, Gus is technically a stepfather, but he still beats several  biological fathers on the list of the all time worst dads.  First, he shoots  his stepson’s beloved dog, and then he tries to beat the living snot out  of poor Drew just for sneaking out to the Indian burial ground to reincarnate it.  Oddly enough, Gus is more pleasant as a zombie than  he is when he’s alive.

 5. George Lutz, The Amityville Horror (1979):

Poor George.  He’s the stepdad to some admittedly bratty kids (ones with invisible best friends who try to kill babysitters), he just bought a new house that needs some serious renovations (glowing portals to hell tend to lower the property value), and there’s a small army of priests pestering him day and night.  No wonder he contemplates murdering his family with an axe.

 4. Grandfather, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974):

 We couldn’t forget about grandfathers.  This grandpa taught Leatherface and his kin everything he knows, including how to brutally  slaughter curious teenagers.  Remember, kids, the family that maims  together, stays together.

 3. Don, 28 Weeks Later (2007):

What’s worse than leaving your wife to be gnawed on by ravenous zombies?  Probably trying to devour your children.  In Don’s defense, they are cute enough to eat.

 2. Jack Torrance, The Shining (1980):

 Heeeerreee’s Daddy!  What’s better than a nice round of axe-tag with your kid, finishing  with a game of hide-and-go-seek in a frozen hedge maze?  Truly father-son bonding at its  best.

1. Satan, Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Omen (1976):

The Devil tops the list, not because he’s evil incarnate, but because he’s such a deadbeat!  How about spending a little time with your kids, Lucifer?  He can’t even be bothered to send his little Antichrists a card on their birthdays.  This demonic dad definitely deserves an ugly tie this year.