How To Create Monsters That Are Actually Scary (Fiction Writing Advice)

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  • Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
  • Learn how to write scary and memorable monsters for horror stories.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 270

  • @DwayneF
    @DwayneF 3 роки тому +206

    The Xenomorph is a classic "gives me the creeps" monster. I also appreciate Pennywise for the "it's whatever you fear most" aspect. Monsters/villains that read your mind work best for me in horror. Invasion of the Body Snatchers is just a pod that grows into a human shape. But they could be anyone. Once we know this, it adds tension to the scenes. Especially if the characters don't fully know the secret yet.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +22

      Yep, "It could be anybody" monsters are terrifying and make me paranoid. The Thing (1982) is my favorite horror movie for that reason.

    • @Chaosthehedgehog790
      @Chaosthehedgehog790 Рік тому +1

      Same bro

    • @annihilation_88
      @annihilation_88 Рік тому

      @@CalebBermanI ain’t reading all that

    • @johndoe-sx5pv
      @johndoe-sx5pv 10 місяців тому +1

      This example may not be from the books themselves, but Metro 2033, Metro Last Light and Metro Exodus all feature these super creepy black shadow silhouettes of humans from the past who are now ghosts and if you get near or make contact with them you die! Plus you can hear them whispering amongst one another which only adds to the overall eerie feeling of an already hostile world full of radiation mutated creatures and a surface that's un-breathable without gas masks and filters. Metro (books and games) have a very interesting take on the nuclear apocalypse blending with horror. Who knew the two fit hand in hand so well?

  • @Disgruntled_Dave
    @Disgruntled_Dave Рік тому +98

    Regarding "You have to scare the characters before you scare the audience," this is why I think "Shelob's Lair" from _The Lord of the Rings_ is such an effective horror scene. Frodo and Sam go into this tunnel together because they've been told it's the only way to advance their current goals. It's pitch black in the tunnel, so they hold onto each other's arms to avoid becoming separated. They proceed by groping their way along the tunnel walls, but after a while, the "darkness" starts to suppress their other senses besides vision. Their hearing becomes muffled to the point where they have to shout to hear each other, despite being only an arm's length apart. If I remember right, even their sense of touch becomes numbed so they can barely even feel the walls on their hands or the ground on their feet.
    Nothing actively dangerous is taking place, but if you are following along and viewing things through the characters' perspectives, this sensory deprivation is deeply disturbing. The fact that they know they are in a dangerous place that is hostile to their very presence, and have no ability to defend themselves, makes it a truly unsettling scene before the "real" monster even appears. Conveniently, finding a source of light is exactly what reveals the monster and ups the pace of the action.

  • @4shotpastas
    @4shotpastas Рік тому +51

    Had a story I wrote based on a nightmare I had. No one would look me in the eyes, and it was unnerving. So I made sure that in the story, that was the main thing. I avoided bringing too much attention to it, but it was mentioned when the character was talking to people. And apparently it creeped some people out. So even something simple can be made unsettling, creepy, or even scary if done well. I'm sure a better writer than me could've made the story more unsettling, but I mean, proof of concept to some extent.

    • @cheekguardian1378
      @cheekguardian1378 6 місяців тому +1

      Tell me the name please

    • @4shotpastas
      @4shotpastas 6 місяців тому

      @@cheekguardian1378 No One Will Look me in the Eyes. I ended up doing a sequel that fell more into cosmic territory "Within Reality." Iirc the narration of it on youtube is called "A cohesive guide to leaving reality."

  • @P-Star7511
    @P-Star7511 Рік тому +15

    Have you seen the movie Monster House? The idea of a house being a living, breathing monster sounded so original!

  • @Lilas.Duveteux
    @Lilas.Duveteux 10 місяців тому +12

    I think with monsters, sometimes conceptual horror can feel scary. Like, zombies are done to death, but the idea of a loved one used as a weapon against you, the idea of complete loss of agency is terrifying.
    Another aspect is the uncanny valley and the fake wholesomeness to be bone chilling.

    • @claudiamanta1943
      @claudiamanta1943 5 місяців тому

      Could not agree more. There is a movie in which the protagonist is brought back to life in order to be experimented on.

  • @kennethazor
    @kennethazor Рік тому +13

    I love your tip of making the characters feel fear first.
    I realize now that, even if it’s a silly phobia like laughter, what really makes me feel uneasy is watching how the stimuli affects the character, since there is an empathy link

  • @shrinkingviolet1953
    @shrinkingviolet1953 2 роки тому +92

    It’s a miniseries and not a movie, but the Beast from Over the Garden Wall is terrifying to me. If I was in the woods at night I’d be checking over my shoulder to make sure he wasn’t there.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому +7

      Haven't seen it. I'll have to add it to my list

    • @mithogui
      @mithogui Рік тому +4

      one of the best mini series there is, hands down. And what a soundtrack.

    • @Marmighty
      @Marmighty 7 місяців тому +1

      Otgw is the absolute best!

  • @tornadobrick6217
    @tornadobrick6217 3 роки тому +79

    I see your Junji Ito books. Absolutely incredible horror!

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +10

      Love Junji. I've read almost all of his books published in the US. Uzumaki and No Longer Human are my faves

    • @jesusromanpadro3853
      @jesusromanpadro3853 11 місяців тому

      It is a horror story based on spirals that is a classic. And is not the only time he does that.

  • @CLAYMORESTUDIO572
    @CLAYMORESTUDIO572 11 місяців тому +9

    THE THING from THE THING, formless but bound to flesh is my favorite

  • @kylemeyer8015
    @kylemeyer8015 Рік тому +8

    The shark from Jaws. Spielberg did that film so brilliantly.

  • @patricksleep9787
    @patricksleep9787 3 роки тому +49

    Favorite monster from a movie was really a hard choice for me but I’ll go towards the pale man from pans labyrinth. My mom would always use the scare tactic of me not going to bed early by telling me about the boogie man. So to me the pale man simply represents that childhood trams of mine as it was portrayed like it in the films with the paintings of him eating children is just disturbing and horrific.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +6

      Yeah, while I don't consider Pan's Labyrinth a horror movie, it DEFINITELY has some terrifying moments (and creatures)

    • @kimlarson3969
      @kimlarson3969 Рік тому +3

      Oh I forgot Pan's Labyrinth! I watched it as a kid so the plot went over my head, but that monster gave me nightmares for years!

    • @karoshi2
      @karoshi2 Рік тому +3

      Btw: scaring kids to do what you want can easily be traumatising. So from a parent to other parents: don't. I get the urge to find some point convincing them, but don't. Use. That. One.

  • @dominicbutters766
    @dominicbutters766 Рік тому +14

    Werewolves are among my favourite fictional creatures, mainly because it's a normal human that is afflicted with a feral curse and transforms into a ferocious, bloodhungry beast, usually under a full moon. But my favourite werewolf, as well as my favourite movie monster, is the Kessler Wolf from An American Werewolf in London. Everything about it just screams "YES" to me. The permanent angry expression, the oversized canines, the blazing, soul-piercing golden eyes, the subtle human features, and most of all, the absolutely horrifying howls and snarls it makes.

    • @GreekMarble133
      @GreekMarble133 Рік тому +2

      One of my most well known monster in my childhood was the werewolf.

    • @jesusromanpadro3853
      @jesusromanpadro3853 11 місяців тому +4

      Plus, that he keeps seeing the previous victims of himself, and the werewolve that infected him was something never done in a werewolf story added a lot to the movie.

  • @JayDay04
    @JayDay04 2 роки тому +16

    I'm trying to write a book about a village where people turn into carnivorous monsters at a specific day of the year. It follows an orphan girl who starts living there with three more people. So my plan is not letting the character, and audience, know that the villagers turn into monsters until that day, so I think that if I just leave some signals that the protagonist slowly discovers, it can add mystery like you said. Like finding rusty shackles in one of the rooms, scratch marks and red stains in the walls, people from the village without some of their limbs, things like that.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому +2

      Sounds like a good plan! Best of luck with your book!

    • @GreekMarble133
      @GreekMarble133 Рік тому +2

      That's a good plot. Hope it would be successful😊

    • @MegaKinking
      @MegaKinking 3 місяці тому

      I've always like horror movie/story, yesterday I watched Halloween and then looked at the review and started wondering why some people like or dislike certain type of monster/killer/movie. Now I want to try and create an horror story of my own and that's why i check that video, and your comment made me smile. People who talk about their writing always make me smile cause I love to write too and can relate. Anyway, I mostly just want to say that I like the idea of your story, and would love to learn more about it. I hope your book is coming along well! I know how hard and long it can be to finish a project, I wish you well!

  • @connorcoltrane1777
    @connorcoltrane1777 Рік тому +8

    Probably my favorite monster from a movie is The Thing. The effects for it are beautiful and awesome and visceral, but what really makes it scary isn't the violence or body horror, but the paranoia it evokes. Anyone could be the thing, and the way that this creature insidiously plants seeds of doubt in the characters and the audience is far more horrifying than the monstrous transformations.

  • @JustADemon2023
    @JustADemon2023 Рік тому +16

    I enjoy the concept of monsters without a motive; that can make them unpredictable and creepy to no end. Kayako Saeki from the “Ju-on” or commonly known as “The Grudge” series is something I grew to fear. She can find you anywhere and kill anyone around you without restriction. The only limit she has is that she can only haunt you if you or others you know have been cursed, but once that happens, there’s no escape and she can end your life in different ways which can be rather mysterious & unexplainable. Her curse is like a virus; it can spread from person to person and that can make the amount of victims she claims countless as a result of just being around someone for some unknown amount of time. I heard that there were books written about her, so I intend to read as many as possible whenever I get the chance to buy them all. She creeped, scared, terrified and filled me with dread in her movies, so knowing that I have to use my imagination while reading a book focused on this series is admittedly unsettling for me.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  Рік тому +1

      And now I need to go and rewatch The Grudge

    • @JustADemon2023
      @JustADemon2023 Рік тому +2

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty To get the best experience from this series, I’d suggest “Ju-on: The Grudge” and “Ju-on: The Grudge 2” if you don’t mind having subtitles on while watching those movies. The Japanese movies are a lot better at causing and leaving you with a feeling of dread than the American movies, but the latter isn’t completely horrible either. The American movies were enjoyable watches (for me personally) until “The Grudge 3” and “The Grudge (2020)” tried changing the series for the worst (3 tried to make the curse escapable or beatable and 2020 tried making every ghost like or more frightening than Kayako to very little success).

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  Рік тому +1

      @@JustADemon2023 I don't mind subtitles (I've watched a handful of Kurosawa movies), so I'll see about getting my hands on the Japanese versions. Thanks!

    • @hanzflackshnack1158
      @hanzflackshnack1158 Рік тому

      From the sounds of it, you might enjoy the Weeping Angels from Doctor Who. The episode “Blink” isn’t… terrifying per say… It’s definitely intriguing and the more you think about the premise the more it is a little disturbing. The show has been on for 60 years and many consider it one of the best episodes so at worst it’ll still be pretty good 😁

    • @hebercluff1665
      @hebercluff1665 Рік тому

      Or the monster has a motive, but it's smart enough to obscure its motives so no one can even start guessing what it wants.

  • @patricksleep9787
    @patricksleep9787 3 роки тому +22

    I have an idea ( for a current story I’ve been trying to come up with) for a cosmic like creature that uses its tentacles to morph into the protagonists death love relatives that lures them for it to consume . So Instead of Targeting in the fears of the main Characters ( such as penny wise) I thought it’ll be a more interesting exploration where we want to make correct or be at peace with people we loved and haven’t be able to talk to them or wish we do so one more time . Such as how the protagonist Relationships towards someone who’ve had a significant meaning in their life. I think that’ll make my characters more psychologically fragile.
    So it’s kind of how a anglerfish lures its prey with its light.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +6

      Nice--sound like the shapeshifter from The Thing, but it portrays itself as the people you love most. Might want to watch both versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers for inspiration

    • @toyhaunter8260
      @toyhaunter8260 Рік тому

      I remember a film about a blob-like creature who would melt you down and could partially shapeshift into you, mimicking your voice and manners to lure in prey. It was only partial so it had to hide itself.
      Turned out to be someone’s pet, judging by a flashback.

  • @Iso20227
    @Iso20227 Рік тому +5

    My favorite monster from fantasy is Liam Vicker’s Absolute Solver from Murder Drones.
    It’s mysterious, powerful, cosmic, motivated, and it’s very cool to see what it’s capable of doing.

  • @thelemetric
    @thelemetric 23 дні тому

    "embrac stupid fears" is really well used by junji ito. another stellar video, straight to the point.

  • @fnubbl7792
    @fnubbl7792 2 роки тому +7

    I have created several monsters for a story I'm currently working on and want to share some of them for recieving more advice:
    1. The shadow eater:
    It's a humanoid monster that looks like an insect mixed with a human. Although it only has four limbs, they are really thin and have exoskeletons. It's arms are built like these of a praying mantis, while it's feet have claws and look more human. It's head compares to that of a fly by shape and color. It has huge insect eyes that have a corrupted, purple tone, while the rest of the face and most of the other body parts of the shadow eater have a rotten, black tone. Just like a fly, the shadow eater has a trunk, which also has an exoskeleton and makes up a lot of it's facial features. The body of the creature lookes crooked, with spikes towering from the creature's back and neck. The shadow eater doesn't actually use it's trunk to eat. For that, it uses an almost hidden mouth under it's trunk, where it's only visible features are two bigger teeth on both sides next to the trunk, from most perspectives. The shadow eater uses it's trunk for reproduction. At the end of it's trunk, there is a small, jawlike structure with small, sharp teeth facing to the outside, it's function being ripping their prey open in a small area for several, extremely thin and flexible tounges to enter their body. Those tounges, when looked at under a microscope, have holes at the end of it and possess over a suction mechanic. Inside the tounges, there are a lot of enzymes used to pulverise and classify the collected materials to dna and waste. The dna of the prey is stored in a baglike bodystructure, while the waste is mixed with the creatures feces. At it's hive, they bring the collected dna to their queen, which she then uses to recreate more shadow eaters, explaining why they mainly look humanoid.
    2. The shadow queen:
    This creature's appearance is easy to describe: it's a giant pile of black, rotten flesh with several mouths, holes, tentacles and spikes spread over it. The shadow queen is the core of the shadow infection and is the one responsible for the reproduction of the shadow eaters, being the other half of their dna. She creates puddles of mucus inside and near their hive for new shadow eaters to develop inside. These puddles are up to three meters deep and act like quicksand when interacted with. The mucus is relatively transparent, allowing you to see shadow eaters grow inside it. The queen herself is fairly tough, but has it difficuilt to defend herself. For that purpose, she has the shadow guardians.
    3. The shadow guardians:
    They are stronger and larger versions of the traditional shadow eaters. They have giant insect wings, allowing them to fly, and actually have no trunk, but a giant mouth replacing both the trunk and the feasting hole. Istead of praying mantis-ish spikes, they have hands with three long, solid fingers to defend themselves better. While they can't fight for reproduction as well, it still can do a similar dna collection process. By turning it's throat inside out, it creates a hanging, fleshy trunk to fulfill the same purpose. However, the dna is just stored in their stomach insted of it's own organ, which makes seperating more difficuilt to archieve.
    These were three creatures, all sharing an obvious connection to one another. I have more monsters having to do with the shadow infection, however, they don't spread it like the shadow creatures, but morely are victims of it. I'm too lazy to list them, although I like their ideas too. One of them also really concentrates on the misterious aspect in the video. But what do you think about my ideas?

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому +2

      Awesome stuff, and you’ve thought things out pretty well. Best of luck with your story!

    • @fnubbl7792
      @fnubbl7792 2 роки тому

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty Thank you!

  • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
    @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +8

    What's your favorite movie monster? Let us know!

    • @potatomanboooi3105
      @potatomanboooi3105 3 роки тому +2

      My most favorite monster from stories are the titans from attack on titan and the xenomorphs from alien

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +1

      @@potatomanboooi3105 Need to check out Attack on Titan. Welcome back btw!

    • @torytellstales
      @torytellstales 2 роки тому +1

      Cant decide on a movie monster, but my all time favorite "monster" show of all time would have to be "Courage the Cowardly Dog". Yes its a cartoon, but it scared so many people and still continues to scare them haha.
      Plus, I think the concept you mentioned about scaring the protagonists before scaring the audience really fits with what this show did. Yes we were terrified of monsters and villains like King Ramses and Freaky Fred being present, but we were really terrified because our beloved dog protagonist was scared of these guys. Had this show not had a scared main character like Courage we wouldn't have been as impacted watching this series as kids. 😆

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому

      @@torytellstales Exactly--it's all about how we connect with the character and their emotions

    • @MysteryGeek2006
      @MysteryGeek2006 Рік тому +1

      JeanJacket from Nope(2022), an alien monster whom takes the shape of a typical UFO

  • @jesusromanpadro3853
    @jesusromanpadro3853 11 місяців тому +1

    Have been watching all your videos in order and at last saw this one. Needed this for my novel since my characters travels and keep finding monsters.

  • @KutWrite
    @KutWrite 6 місяців тому +1

    My favorite movie monsters are from my childhood. My dad took me to see "Thief of Bagdad" when I was about six. I remember the chills I got when the little thief, played by Sabu, was walking through the Castle of the Goddess of the All-Seeing Eye. All kinds of shadowy creatures skulked about. Eventually, the thief had to fight a giant spider, while below waited what I know recognize as an octopus in a pool. Back then, I just knew it was dark and scary. I love that movie, and get chills at that scene to this day.

  • @moonie9000
    @moonie9000 Рік тому +2

    Pennywise is my favourite monster, but only from the books, because only the books delve into the cosmic horror aspect of him, and that's where he's truly scary.

  • @BodyTrust
    @BodyTrust 9 місяців тому +2

    Alien, Erin from The Exorcist, and all the old monsters from the 1930s and 1950s. Yep, scared the crap out of me, even knowing that I was just watching fictional events.

    • @Youraverageyoutubeaccount
      @Youraverageyoutubeaccount 2 місяці тому

      I think you meant regan from the exorcist. But yeah I agree she was terrifying.

  • @neoselket562
    @neoselket562 Рік тому +2

    The reavers from firefly are terrifying. The fact that they have no fear or sense of self-preservation and if they catch you, you're in for a slow and excruciating death makes them probably the best monsters I've ever seen in fiction. Some people think that finally showing them on camera in serenity made them less scary, but for me it just showed their brutality and how inhuman they were, which actually made them scarier.
    Honorable mention goes to steel inquisitors from mistborn. They're powerful and sadistic, and while they don't show up often, when they do, they're practically unstoppable.

  • @johnbearjunkyard
    @johnbearjunkyard Рік тому +2

    This isn't my favorite monster, but it's a "stupid fear" monster. In The Grudge, one of the characters runs and jumps in her bed and covers up with a blanket and immediately gets attacked by the ghost under her blanket. Everyone in the theater laughed when she jumped in bed but then immediately getting attacked was such a mood shift whiplash.

  • @slyuq
    @slyuq 2 роки тому +8

    I had an idea for a story called Salmon Smowlands, and this video helped a lot with the monster I wanted to make for it. The video is really well done, thanks a lot!

  • @brandibadgett2587
    @brandibadgett2587 3 місяці тому

    The ghost/ monster from the Grudge made me stop watching horror movies for a long time because I could not handle it being able to break the rules of leaving it's house. That false ending really got me.

  • @alrightlistenup8855
    @alrightlistenup8855 Рік тому +1

    Was expecting some generic tips but ended up coming across the best guide to outline my lil monster
    Thanks truly

  • @dawnkravagna3200
    @dawnkravagna3200 3 дні тому

    In the Seattle suburbs we had wolf spiders as big as our palms, so Arachnophobia scared me. And I loved the comedy relief with John Goodman as the exterminator. Someone who loves spiders, I suppose, wouldn’t cringe at the football helmet scene or the pompous professor who ventures alone into the barn to investigate the nest.

  • @taylortimeless
    @taylortimeless 11 місяців тому +1

    This is brilliant advice. Thank you so much. I was worried about how I could describe the monster but I realize leaving it the character’s imagination is more of my style.

  • @kimlarson3969
    @kimlarson3969 Рік тому +5

    Thank you for this advice! I was trying to make the monster in my short story scarier, and I missed making the characters scared.

  • @arious1644
    @arious1644 Рік тому +2

    i absolutely love monster movies, more than any other form of horror. The monster from Cloverfield was so cool, the whole movie was incredibly done. Xenomorphs are also incredible, a great classic.

    • @spencer7323
      @spencer7323 Рік тому +1

      Clover field just felt so incredibly raw and realistic, it was really an amazing movie

  • @KeosiDBD
    @KeosiDBD 2 роки тому +4

    I’m writing a horror-mystery called Limestone that’s going to be split into two short books, though I’m having trouble on the concept of the monster. The story focuses on two main protagonists: Mary (a young girl who embodies innocence, but for that same reason is oftentimes a victim of misfortune) and Gary (a middle-aged man who personifies humanity, specifically men, and their best and worst parts). Both of these characters experience great shifts in their life that plummets them into turmoil. Aside from the progress of these characters, mysterious, scattered chapters begin eluding to greater cosmological horror that’s working behind the scenes, from fantastic and horrific stories to autopsy reports and mysterious interview accounts. Now the issue comes to the monster itself. I know it’s origin (the reader will have to work this out), and I know the feeling I want it to invoke (a powerful, limitless presence, something little is known about, and something that is intentionally malicious, manipulating, and targeting) but I can’t quite work out it’s appearance and I’m not entirely sure of it’s behaviours yet, or much to make it unique. Any advice you can give me?

    • @KeosiDBD
      @KeosiDBD 2 роки тому +1

      For reference, this thing is essentially a God from an unknown place. It has intense mental effects on people within the proximity of where it entered our world (unclear whether or not this is intentional or a passive consequence of its presence, and why some are effected more than others). And it eventually appears to stalk one of our protagonists and follow them until a mysterious penultimate cliffhanging end.
      I don’t know if any of this helps lol but I hope it can help someone help me come up with some ideas for this creepy creature

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому

      What are your main characters most afraid of? If there's some kind of connecting theme, you can build the monster around that.

    • @KeosiDBD
      @KeosiDBD 2 роки тому +1

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty That’s an interesting idea! Gary is scared of his guilt (he ends up doing something bad) and Mary is haunted by her parents (dysfunctional relationship), loneliness, bullies and sexual trauma. As this entity is essentially a god, it can shape-shift and teleport etc. Maybe it could adopt some of those attributes? What do you think of that? And do you have any other suggestions?

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому

      @@KeosiDBD Guilt can overlap with parents, loneliness, trauma, etc., so find a way to build a monster that represents both guilt and one of those other issues. Think about symbolism when it comes to the monster's design, abilities, etc.

    • @KeosiDBD
      @KeosiDBD 2 роки тому +1

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty Thank you very much :) this has helped a tremendous amount! One final question before I subscribe, do you think it would be counterproductive or an effective horror technique to have the monster appear slightly differently to different people? Depending on their experiences potentially? For example Mary could see it more reminiscent of her father, and Gary moreso according to his guilt?

  • @dalethomas6328
    @dalethomas6328 2 роки тому +5

    I'm writing a light novel and one of the main villains is a monster named "Grendel". And when I was thinking on how he would look instead of going for a monsterous appearance I went with the role and lore of my story. He is a hunter, his goal is to kill everyone with the name "Beowulf" or anyone connected to them. With that in mind I took inspiration from the adaptoid sentinals from X-men Future Days Past. A tall slender body, radiant red eyes and an unstoppable drive/willpower.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому +2

      Nice, and I love that you’re playing with the story of Beowulf. Hope your novel turns out great

    • @dalethomas6328
      @dalethomas6328 2 роки тому +3

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty Thank you.

  • @ProjectCreativityGuy96
    @ProjectCreativityGuy96 Рік тому +3

    Candyman is such a cool and unique villain!!!

  • @alxade6698
    @alxade6698 Рік тому +1

    The smiling mushroom monster from Mom and Dad save the World. The movie was so stupid, but I will never forget it because of that monster.

  • @SpiritWarubou
    @SpiritWarubou 7 місяців тому

    Your comment on taking 'stupid' fears had me expanding into the concept of making comforts into fears, as well. Taking things that would normally comfort both characters and readers and turning it into something terrifying. I think Stephen King does this really well with pet cemetery and Cujo( I personally loved that type of dog up until that movie😅) the idea of things we would normally protect or be protected by becoming hostile towards us feels like an extra emotional gut punch to me.

  • @martymayes2906
    @martymayes2906 Рік тому +1

    I really enjoy your videos and advice. You are the frist person I have come across doing these advise videos with a great sense of humility and love for the advancement of the craft. You are concise, and offer good insight. You have helped me shape and re-think my writing. Thank you.

  • @LordBaktor
    @LordBaktor Рік тому +2

    The thing from The Thing. Not because of the body horror but because of the paranoia of not knowing if your best friend is about to assimilate you.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  Рік тому +1

      Yep, amazing monster and amazing movie

    • @Elythia
      @Elythia Рік тому

      I completely agree, it’s also my favorite monster, because of the paranoia. However I think especially the paranoia works much better in the book by Alan Dean Foster based on the movie. And I also prefer the ending of the book over the ending of the movie. It’s one of my favorite endings of all time. :)

  • @felipehasashi2382
    @felipehasashi2382 4 місяці тому

    Amazing video! Keeping the "unknown" element and all the possibilities behind this, I think that's a good way to start...

  • @yashsharmaauthor
    @yashsharmaauthor 11 місяців тому +1

    I love the demon from Insidious!
    Great video! Thanks!

  • @aydenjosepheturralde6188
    @aydenjosepheturralde6188 6 місяців тому

    Davy Jones is my favorite monster. Someone so wretched that even the fearless Captain Jack Sparrow avoids the sea to escape him. The whole first half of Dead Man’s Chest we hear about this diabolical character, and his reveal is brutal, just like the expectations born from the hints from earlier in the movie.

  • @ElCineHefe
    @ElCineHefe 4 місяці тому +2

    A monster is anything else higher on the food chain than you, which consumes you in any number of ways.

  • @marthawilley5512
    @marthawilley5512 3 роки тому +4

    Another helpful video. Thanks so much.

  • @cosmicmcmoon5773
    @cosmicmcmoon5773 10 місяців тому +1

    Frankenstein's Monster as portrayed by Boris Karloff. Not because I find him scary but because I sympathize with him. And he still has (to me anyway) prbly the coolest / most iconic monster movie design

  • @isuckatusernames4297
    @isuckatusernames4297 13 днів тому

    one big thing if you're writing a more action oriented narrative.
    avoid direct and rapid regeneration. not only does it cheapen the effect any injuries he gets, but its also overdone in general.
    of course you can obviously give your mosnter some regeneration, but eitheir make it take some time and also don't make it perfect, or if possible make it require some kind of ressource to repair itself.

  • @humblemarty
    @humblemarty 4 місяці тому

    The third tip of embracing stupid fears made me think of Junji Ito's story Uzumaki. It all starts with a guy obsessed with spirals.

  • @Kaledarkwind6151
    @Kaledarkwind6151 Місяць тому

    I thought the Kothoga from The Relic was a very interesting monster done right. Love these videos btw man.

  • @SquareMahogany
    @SquareMahogany 10 місяців тому

    One of my favorites is Moder from The Ritual, pretty obvious choice I think. This thing is unnerving because it looks like a monstrous deer but with a decapitated human torso for a face. It is completely unexpected yet it works so well as a horrific figure

  • @dakotasisk4060
    @dakotasisk4060 Рік тому

    For my opinion, a good example of stupid fears is Killer Clowns from outer space.
    They turn people into cotton candy, they can make killer shadow puppets, etc.
    It's stupid scary but it works.

  • @Rocket13music
    @Rocket13music Місяць тому

    at 1:41, you could make a monster that ended up like something because of something that could realisticly happen, like it having red, rashy, spotty skin, like radiation poisoning or smt and could scare them into thinking that same fate could happen to them.

  • @simerostudios
    @simerostudios Рік тому

    I’m not writing a book, but this is still great advice for the story and design for my game. 10/10

  • @Sandstorm-TheTraveller
    @Sandstorm-TheTraveller 7 місяців тому

    Been watching a bunch of different videos lately to improve my writing for my own rpg’s story.. So I wanted to share a monster from my ideas!
    It can change its form, often switching and stuff- along with being made with the impression of fighting, and being greater. Some characters have some similarities to this beast, like an amalgamation (who has now softened up, and basically acts like a giant protective dog), and the “perfect version”, which it hints to.
    The monster first shows up resembling a character, or someone they care about. Secluded area, luring them in. Only then when everyone is close enough, it’ll strike, and attack.
    I’m done
    Rah

  • @ØçëāñŠhåŕķ2334
    @ØçëāñŠhåŕķ2334 6 місяців тому

    My favourite example of "keep the monster mysterious" is bruce from jaws, you N E V E R see him till the end (btw jaws was also a novel)

  • @aydenjosepheturralde6188
    @aydenjosepheturralde6188 6 місяців тому

    I have a team of five “monsters,” who are just people with genetically modified abilities working under the main antagonist as assassins. Each of them has a different style and specialty, their team name often referred to as The Macabre.
    The Puppeteer is usually the member in a leadership position, often very meticulous in his planning. He does heavy psychological damage, possessing the ability to manipulate people’s minds. He can’t completely take them over, but he can implant emotions and desires into heroes, and influence them to do things. He has eerie qualities like wearing a plain mask with no eye holes (he is blind), which gives him a faceless and enigmatic look, and he moves in an uncanny way, with unsettling fluidity, almost inhuman. He also is obsessed with control, becoming enraged when something doesn’t go according to his meticulous planning, making him unstable.
    The second member is The Chameleon. This character is centered around the unnerving idea of not being able to see something highly elusive. He can hide in plain sight, and is extremely agile, making his capture seemingly hopeless. His appearance is the least human of the team, his skin scaly and reptilian, and his fingers and toes shaped like those of a chameleon. He enjoys purposely making the protagonist uncomfortable, revealing to her that she has interacted with him at least 12 times while he was disguised as someone else, and that he’s been in the same room as her while having been undetectable. This disturbs the protagonist, now never knowing if she’s alone.
    The next member is called Mars. His appearance is themed off of a Roman soldier only he is massive and burly. His strong appearance is already intimidating, as he possesses genetically engineered strength. However, he possesses a horrid propensity for violence and bloodshed, lacking moral restraint almost entirely.
    The fourth member is called Bloodhound. This character is supposed to create an unsettling fear of being watched. The Bloodhound is themed off of a classic 1920s noir detective, making him seem shadowy. He has enhanced tracking abilities, able to follow his targets with even the slightest clue. He also has deadly aim, carrying twin revolvers he slings when ready to eliminate a target. He evokes an unnerving game of cat and mouse with the protagonist, causing her to become increasingly paranoid.
    The final member is a young woman called Lodestar. She possesses the ability to absorb electricity and turn that into controlling polarity, allowing her to manipulate magnetic things. The protagonists special abilities are electric based, and this makes Lodestar a terrifying opponent as the protagonist can’t use any special attacks on Lodestar.
    Each of these members are designed to disturb and break the protagonist.

  • @coreyc1685
    @coreyc1685 6 місяців тому

    Although the franchise lost its way pretty quickly I think the first two paranormal activity films are terrifying and the main reason is you rarely see anything of the monster. It’s left up to your immigration to fill in the blanks.

  • @BunchOfFuggly
    @BunchOfFuggly 10 місяців тому

    I really like the book version of Frankenstein, because of the articulate morals and character that was put into the monster and Doctor, it’s just amazing. (I also really like the Martians from War of the worlds by HG Wells)
    Sidenote: I’m not sure if this counts as a monster but the father of Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka was a really unique character, who’s persona makes sense when contextualised with Kafkas life

  • @Avery_is_aesthetic
    @Avery_is_aesthetic 5 місяців тому

    Something I’d like to add abt the spider thing is that if u rlly want a spider monster then don’t make it a little spider that strangles ppl with its web or smth make it like this huge scary monster with fangs also great video and my favorite monster is probably the murderer from scream

  • @ChaosTheWriterAndEditor
    @ChaosTheWriterAndEditor Рік тому

    Even though it’s a newer and really popular use of human psychology, I find the mimic from vita carnis terrifying, same with the harvester. The use of the uncanny valley in the mimic is really effective and it preys of primal fears of humanity and species anomaly report with the harevetser has one of the scariest visuals and audios I’ve ever seen

  • @c.kiousis3663
    @c.kiousis3663 Рік тому

    My favourite movie monster is the one that scares itself along with those around it, it's the Fly from the Cronenberg film

  • @henrikbaum
    @henrikbaum 10 місяців тому

    I really like the monster from kane pixels backrooms video. The build-up is so well done

  • @animatedangel2447
    @animatedangel2447 5 місяців тому

    Unrelated, that intro sent me back to 2012 for a second. Good times for youtube.

  • @Iso20227
    @Iso20227 Рік тому

    I created my own monsters for my fantasy series.
    They’re called a Drangull and a Rine.
    A Drangull is a type of troll like ogre-giant with white fur and wings, that lives and hunts in the snowfields.
    Often hunting in packs, the Drangulls are some of the most dangerous hunters in Crylah.
    Once a kill is made, the pack splits the meal equally, showing respect to each other and not hoarding the food.
    Sometimes, several packs can join together to form a colony, but such groups of aggressive hunters often fail tragically.
    And a Rine is a predatory formless concentration of Magick and Ether. Often regarded as shapeshifters, these monsters take a form that draws its prey in to be dissolved by their magical energy.
    The Rine are not shapeshifters, however, they are psychics.
    They tap into their prey's psyche and force them to associate the Rine with something of deep personal connection to them.
    (The sirens of this book series)
    5 or more Rine can converge and create a whole new, and larger, more powerful Rine known simply as an "Entity".
    Mostly because no one has survived an encounter with one, and the only person who saw one from a distance and lived to confirm it's existence, later committed suicide due to what he saw.
    My favorite is the Rine.
    It’s more mysterious, yet also more developed. It’s dangerous, a real threat.
    What do you think?

    • @GreekMarble133
      @GreekMarble133 Рік тому +1

      The description of your monster is nice. I am also creating a fantasy novel. Good luck with your story😁

  • @potatomanboooi3105
    @potatomanboooi3105 3 роки тому +2

    Right now I planned that that the monsters in my story is monstors blood is what gives superheros powers and it is extremely rare for it to happen because it's blood is acidic aswell as poisonous.the more monster blood is in your body the more powerful you are but more blood increases your chances of dying.the monsters attack people because humans are their preference as food.the superheroes in this world's job is to prevent monsters from attacking people aswell as to save people.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому

      Nice. Just curious... did you read Monster Blood the Goosebumps book? The blood concept worked way differently, but as soon as you said "monster blood" my mind immediately jumped there.

    • @potatomanboooi3105
      @potatomanboooi3105 3 роки тому +1

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty nope I mostly me over thinking little details of my story so it could help me coming up with bigger details of the story.i would say some of the biggest inspiration for my story is a comic called monster no.8 and a show called the boys.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому

      @@potatomanboooi3105 People keep telling me to watch The Boys. I gotta get on that soon

    • @GreekMarble133
      @GreekMarble133 Рік тому

      Nice monster you have there😊

  • @12yearmindmovies
    @12yearmindmovies Рік тому

    I'm writing a movie idea called "The Light And The Wendigo". The monster is of course a Wendigo (if anyone doesn't know what that is, it's an ancient cryptid myth in Canada. The "accurate" design is in my opinion is generic, but there's a different form that looks like a werewolf but replace the wolf with a stag and the head is a stag/deer skull). It takes place in the 1980's, and there is a national park near a village-like area where people have been going missing in. It's been boarded off and protected by the ranger.
    It's been an unpopular rumour that a dark creature is the cause for the disappearances that lurks in the national park.
    The main protagonists little brother goes missing in the park, and she is determined to find out what happened to him, and finds evidence that the Wendigo theory is true and realises that it has to be the cause of her brother's disappearance. Her evidence was when she walked close to the border of the national park and an imitation of a relative's voice called out to her to come into the forest. (She's almost 16 and the brother is about 10)
    She starts assembling a team of other teenagers with closer encounters with the Wendigo. When the park ranger hears of the expedition he gives her advice to "Don't listen to your mind, listen to your ears". It's unknown for now why he doesn't stop her from going in.
    The team enters the park and has wild encounters with the Wendigo, more questions emerging than answers, and finally they defeat the Wendigo in the end.
    I'm hoping that all the talk about what the Wendigo is before they enter the forest is what you meant in your first tip to scare the characters first before the audience, talking about the main character's encounter with the Wendigo, as well as the deadlier encounters with the other team members. Even the ranger would have a similar effect.
    I'd love to hear some more tips before I finish the story!

  • @kainejoyes2981
    @kainejoyes2981 9 місяців тому

    The thing- handsdown the my favourite, because its so insipid, faceless and can be deeply corrupting and its so badic, survive and spread...consume, also love the borg, for the same reason, terrifyingly single minded

  • @earendelonearth
    @earendelonearth 9 місяців тому

    My motto is: don't show, just glimpses, gradually; also don't explain the "why's", just a tiny bit, the unknown makes it more scary.

  • @tolkiensunknowngrandchild3767
    @tolkiensunknowngrandchild3767 8 місяців тому

    I'd say the scariest movie monster I've encountered is probably the mutated bear from Anihilation. That thing was one of the few monsters that actually gave me nightmares, it was horrifying.

  • @robotripin
    @robotripin 2 роки тому +1

    not technically a monster but in the taking of debra logan (spoilers) she gets possessed and becomes very violent. my favorite scene, that still haunts me many years later, is the one towards the end where she kills this young girl she lured into a cave. it’s a very quiet scene with no music and just darkness then they round the corner to see this lady with her mouth unhinged like a snake and is eating this girls whole ass head. it’s amazing and absolutely horrifying. pretty good movie over all but that scene in particular was just insane.

  • @YosefWait
    @YosefWait Місяць тому

    2:28 Love spiders too!

  • @Bennett-wj9vg
    @Bennett-wj9vg Рік тому

    I thought of a rough idea of a monster where it involves a guy who gives balloons, and something weird will always happen to you, seemingly at random. At first glance, he's just a regular silly British dude who wears a fancy suit and ties in random pastel colours. His attitude always changes depending on his target 'audience' to lure them into a false sense of security to ensure they will accept their balloons. Of course, supernatural stuff happens. Things escalate to dangerous levels. However, the monster itself only starts the spark, and it's really up to the protagonists if it becomes a flame or a hell fire. Now, if you're wondering how it can be the victims fault, it mostly because of their preferred targets. People who always overthink and/or make excuses for their own actions in life or lack thereof. Indecisive, intelligent people. The monster doesn't go out of its way to harm his targets directly, only witnessing their torment that has such an easy and simple solution that these poor people can't fathom.
    Not necessarily the scariest, but it I find the idea of someone paradoxically losing because of both their own earned competence and hubris follies so intriguing.

  • @crustaceanking4376
    @crustaceanking4376 Рік тому

    Ok so this ones a bit obscure but the fish creature from Beneath (2013). I grew up in the inland northwest so anytime I've gone swimming its been in a pool or more often, a lake. Most lakes around here are too cold to swim in, and when they are warm enough the often have a lot of algae and whatnot, very VERY murky. That fish just triggers some memory from my childhood of feeling something brush against my leg, looking down, and only seeing more silty green water lol

  • @torytellstales
    @torytellstales 2 роки тому +1

    One of my "monsters" for one of my novels is going to be based off of creepypasta antagonists, but I'm trying to not make the monster predictable and actually have a clear goal, since I find the problem with a lot of creepypasta monsters is that they kill for the sake of killing and usually don't have a distinct personality. They are just known for tormenting and killing people, and that's all. While some people may think that makes them scary becuz they're unpredictable, I think it makes the monster seem like it doesn't have any motivation.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому +1

      Great point. If a monster kills for the sake of killing, it's usually dull. However, if they kill for the sake of reproduction, like the Xenomorph from Alien, that's where things get interesting.

    • @torytellstales
      @torytellstales 2 роки тому +1

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty Glad you agree haha. I love your channel and you give great advice!

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  2 роки тому +1

      @@torytellstales Thanks!

  • @sashabeckett5861
    @sashabeckett5861 Рік тому

    I favourite monster isn't a physical being. It's the essence of death itself, like in Final Destination franchise. That impending doom of your only and precious life can be ripped from you any moment. What really gets me is the series of potential accident scenarios to make you squeeze your butthole and whimper helplessly. Basically just desensitizing you to the prolonged cringe. And suddenly. SPLAT! Your dead. I can't wait to see the new Final Destination 6.

  • @SpartyMarty
    @SpartyMarty Рік тому

    I like the idea of a monster so horrible and incomprehensible that even its writer is afraid of it and can't understand it. I've thought of a few monsters while brainstorming ideas for stories and whenever there's an aspect of the monster that i can't really decide on or I'm stumped on ideas for it, sometimes I'll just write it off as "unknown", which keeps the mystery of it since even I don't fully understand the abomination I've created

    • @spencer7323
      @spencer7323 Рік тому

      I hope you've read some Lovecraft, if not it's probably right up your alley as he's the father of cosmic horror. He's also a good lesson that yo Ivan only call something "unknown" so many times before it loses effect

  • @Shadow_Builds
    @Shadow_Builds Рік тому

    So what about creature that you can only see it’s eyes specifically in the dark, but when it comes into view it creeps away almost disappearing

  • @V0RTEX-R0BL0X97
    @V0RTEX-R0BL0X97 5 місяців тому

    I’m writing a book named house of corn, about a small family who moves into a house across the street from a corn field that have shadows and demons in the corn, anyway. #3 helped me with a part of this book were the oldest child is washed his hands, and the toilet just randomly flushes and water is over flowing out of it as shadowy hand are reaching out of the toilet. Btw I’m a 13 year old writing a book so some ideas for the book could be stupid, but I don’t really care 😊
    And also just to be clear I don’t have a fear of toilets lol

  • @brianedwards7142
    @brianedwards7142 Рік тому +1

    My favourite monster isn't very big, it's only about 14 inches tall. The Zuni Warrior Doll from Trilogy of Terror 1975.

  • @J.P.Robles
    @J.P.Robles Рік тому

    My favorite horror sub genre is body horror because at first there is no monster but then one of the characters becomes the monster
    The monster in my first book is one that amplifies the fear in the main character by causing him to have nightmares and then appearing and disappearing
    My monster shape shifts into other people to find away to gaslight the main character

  • @bjornronaldson6017
    @bjornronaldson6017 2 місяці тому

    So, to be honest, "monsters" haven't scared or unnerved me since I was a small child. All the monsters that have had an actual emotional impact on me in movies or literature are always people. Perhaps my favorite example is the character Eddie Poole, played by the late, James Gandolfini in 8mm. He is so sleezey, so self absorbed, predatory and malicious, while still being petty and insignificant to anyone but his victims. It's absolutely chilling because he is the mundane evil that is so easily overlooked in day to day life.

  • @SpeakWilful
    @SpeakWilful 9 місяців тому

    My monster is a doll girl that does ballet, she wears a white dress, her gown is covered in blood, her hair is pure white, and she's pretty like a normal girl with distorted face and she's actually a wind up toy, so when you twist the key on her back she dances like ballerina, but she's actually a living doll, and she's not small, she's the same as the human size

  • @TrevorDuran3390
    @TrevorDuran3390 3 роки тому +2

    I'm petrified of static shock. I won't come within 6 feet of my children at the playground.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +1

      Haha that's wild. I actually LIKE getting shocked by static electricity

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +1

      Hey I got your sand comment on my Bad/Good dialogue video. For whatever reason UA-cam auto-deleted it. Guess they're diehard Episode 2 fans haha

    • @TrevorDuran3390
      @TrevorDuran3390 3 роки тому +1

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty no lol. I deleted it after I saw your clip about the sand. I didn't want to be redundant. These last 2 videos of yours have been awesome though.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому

      @@TrevorDuran3390 Haha my bad--UA-cam randomly deletes my viewers' comments, so I thought it was on them. And thanks man! They were a pain to put together, but I'm glad they helped

  • @evagarcia865
    @evagarcia865 3 роки тому +3

    I’m writing a book with a spider demon not to scare the audience, but cuz it looks cool as hell

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +3

      Yeah, sometimes fantasy stories contain monsters that are there for a WOW factor rather than a scare factor. Best of luck with the writing!

  • @jorts_master69
    @jorts_master69 8 місяців тому

    One of my monsters accidentally falls under the "unusual/dumb fear" lmao. He's basically a demonic looking hound that behaves more like a raccoon, just eating garbage and wanting to not be bothered by people. Sure, not shit your pants terrifying but you certainly wouldn't want him rummaging around outside your home

  • @samaelkrieg
    @samaelkrieg 10 місяців тому

    I am writing a story in which the main character is himself the monster.
    After being trapped in a snowstorm and forced to eat human flesh, he turns into a Wendeego.
    And the story centers around him struggling with that hunger, which he cannot control.
    Walking in human shape, only transforming when his hunger overtakes him.
    He is, naturally, terrified of this, as he is a good, kind person.
    Yet as a monster, he is driven by it's instincts, and loves to kill and eat people.
    But when he turns back to his human form, he is horrified at his own action, and terrified of it happening again.
    But it is tricky to write a monster, when the monster is the main character himself --albeit in a transformative state.
    (Not dissimilar from a Werewolf. But unlike a werewolf, he cannot know -when- he will change.
    And he has to find ways to sate his hunger or find a cure.)
    Do you have any advice on how to make the monster more terrifying to, well, yourself. When you are the monster.
    How can you show a man whom fears himself more than anything else?
    (I am sure that would be a useful lesson for people who write characters that are alcoholics or addicts in general as well, those who have lost control over themselves and is a danger to those they love, and they know it.)

  • @lordmanlorenzen6507
    @lordmanlorenzen6507 Рік тому

    This is perfect for DND thanks

  • @FavoriteClown
    @FavoriteClown Рік тому

    My favorite monster from a movie has to be the vesps from The Silene! They are spooky lol

  • @josephpotts8208
    @josephpotts8208 Рік тому

    I always thought that the scariest of monsters look like us but there is something slightly different or off about them. They look human but you know that they aren't.

  • @Illisil
    @Illisil 6 місяців тому

    An interesting example from two films which illustrates that the character needs to be scared for the audience to be scared: The first Jurassic Park film, and the movie 300. In Jurrassic Park, there's a scene where the T-Rex crushed through the top of the car trying to eat the kids. If you watch this scene, you'll realise the kids are TERRIFIED!! That's what created the sense of fear and terror in the audience. Compare this with the movie 300, when Leonidas meets Xerxes, Leonidas is nonchalant and indifferent, "Let me guess: You must be Xerxes" The hero is not afraid of the villain, and thus we the audience are not afraid either!
    Bottom line: scare the character to scare your audience!

  • @mikelewis495
    @mikelewis495 Рік тому

    Xenomorph is great.
    The Demagorgon from Stranger Things is also epic.

  • @Thagomizer
    @Thagomizer Рік тому

    Wow asking me my favorite movie monster is like asking my favorite dinosaur. There are so many awesome ones to choose from.
    One thing I am conflicted about is whether I should chose a monster than genuinely scared me, or a charismatic monster that I liked because it was awesome, like anything Ray Harryhausen animated. What about a somewhat sympathetic monster, like King Kong, Godzilla? Or a tragic monster, like Frankenstein's creation or Brundlefly? Or a sexy monster, like Sil from Species or the Amphibian Man from The Shape of Water?
    Or a truly disturbing monster, like the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth or the alien entity from Annihilation?
    And as much as I appreciate Giger's design for the Xenomorph from Alien, this monster has been copied far too extensively. One of my least favorite monster design cliches is the obvious Xenomorph rip-off; a gooey, slimy thing with sharp teeth and an eyeless face. 5:58

  • @volosguidetomonsters3440
    @volosguidetomonsters3440 Рік тому

    The "monster" in my story, a guy named Gauthe, checks most of these boxes so I'm happy.
    My character is terrified of losing his right hand (And then he does, and it becomes the left hand), so obviously my villain collects hands
    Easy

  • @wind-upboy939
    @wind-upboy939 Рік тому

    I like the Xenomorph and the Predator, but my favourite is the creature from the Thing.

  • @TheBluenyt09
    @TheBluenyt09 3 роки тому +3

    I root for monsters with a bit of humanity. 😎👍 In movies or not, may fave monster is always Fenrir but he wasn't given justice in Thor 3. I love the puppets in the puppets masters franchise, I also like the Sugarplum princess in the Cabin in the woods, Vampires with powers in twilight, the dementors, Fluffy(The Cerberus), of HP, The centaurs, Faun and Minotaurs of Narnia, The Elves, Dwarfs and Dragons in Lord of the rings. Many to Mention. Monster as I define it today is no longer as something ferocious and deadly. 😎👍

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  3 роки тому +2

      The likable monster is a completely different beast (ha, see what I did there?) from the classic terrorizing force that we've come to associate with horror movies.
      Btw you forgot to mention the Frankenstein Monster! Great example of a monster we can sympathize with.

  • @Nickname1978
    @Nickname1978 Рік тому +2

    i am gonna try and write a book/short story, this really helped!! any ideas for a base of the monster? as i am sruggling with this

    • @Nickname1978
      @Nickname1978 Рік тому +1

      also what is your book about? haven read it YET.

    • @WriterBrandonMcNulty
      @WriterBrandonMcNulty  Рік тому

      For base of the monster, pick something that scares/disgusts you and build from there.
      My book Bad Parts is a small-town horror novel about people trading away their sick/injured body parts in order to get healthy. Thanks for your interest! Here's the Amazon link if you need it: amzn.to/3esTFYC

    • @Nickname1978
      @Nickname1978 Рік тому +2

      @@WriterBrandonMcNulty thanks, the book seems really intersting. love the advice

  • @Buckles_thebeaver
    @Buckles_thebeaver Рік тому +2

    A werewolf is a good movie monster if done correctly.

  • @ChucklingChester73
    @ChucklingChester73 Рік тому

    MY favorite 'monsters' are the alien human hyrbids from X-files. The thought that anyone could be one and could kill you at any momeny is horrifyng.

  • @santicorrea5155
    @santicorrea5155 10 місяців тому +1

    Joe Rogan with hair

  • @thomasciarlariello
    @thomasciarlariello 6 місяців тому

    Trying to get past censors is tough