Who is Horror's Smartest Character? : Horror Timelines Lists Episode 61

[@movietimelines]

Sidney Prescott from Scream

[@movietimelines]

RJ Macready from the Thing

[@movietimelines]

Marty from Cabin in the Woods

[@surrealkit4843]

The ending removes Marty from the running for me. Either he's selfish, spiteful or stupid. I mean, the entire world!

[@movietimelines]

Ellen Ripley from Alien

[@markbarrett4440]

Was about to say this 👍

[@seanwilkinson7431]

Nuke the site from orbit!

[@ZacharyVogt]

I think Ripley is a better character, but not the one I voted for. Ripley is the most likely to get sh*t done, because she's a doer. A roll-up-her-sleeves and take action type, but not "smartest" in the way I'm choosing to interpret that label.

[@inxe8]

Disqualified by going back for the cat! Humanizing yes, smart... Hell no.

[@movietimelines]

Captain Miller from Event Horizon

[@movietimelines]

Tommy Jarvis from Friday the 13th part 4

[@movietimelines]

Kirsty Cotton from Hellraiser

[@movietimelines]

Joel the Cameraman from Scream 2

[@freddymichaelvoorhees7011]

I honestly remember the first time I saw this movie thinking, that camera guy is smart as Hell(took me a second watch to remember his name, lol)

[@movietimelines]

Danny Torrance from the Shining

[@LFAFSTYLE]

Danny

[@movietimelines]

Roger from Night of the Demons

[@AlexOvTheAbyss]

Surprised Erin from You're Next isn't on the list. Honorable mention to the teacher from Todd and the Book of Pure Evil who locked himself in the teacher's lounge after seeing the main characters run out of the room.

[@johnestrada294]

I think Erin belongs in a "Whose the smartest Final Girl?" list.

[@jackwells8107]

She was the firsts one that came to my mind.

[@movietimelines]

Ginny from Friday the 13th part 2

[@maryanndexter8362]

My favorite final girl ❤️

[@SaturdayAdventures]

I've never heard Ginny broken down so eloquently. I have to vote for her after that.

[@tf692]

Just seeing the title of the video, she was the first one to pop into my mind!

[@drhacknslashzombietimelord6768]

I always remembered Joel from SCREAM 2. He had some of the best lines. "Slashed, gutted, the guy ain't in the union no more." And, "I'm here to report the news, I don't want to BE the news."

[@mychunkyjordi7585]

Out of the ones you said Joel the cameraman ,he did what every sensible person would do and left 😂

[@john_blues]

Grace (Samara Weaving) from Ready or Not.

[@jahdorose8659]

Definitely right bout Roger from night of the demons

[@AnnieBoBannie421]

I didn’t realize Roger came off as ‘cowardly’. I just thought he was smarter than the others . If he’d had the ‘eat a bowl of fuck’ line, he’d have been the greatest ‘final dude’ in the history of horror 🤣🤣

[@peterdanior4538]

I would add Crystal from the Hunt. She consistently spotted the people lying to her. I think she was really smart.

[@paulrodoy7631]

Ooh, yeah, forgot Crystal. Shame on me. She was awesome. Top tier.

[@surrealkit4843]

The main characters from the Frighteners are the smartest characters I can think of. Particularly Bannister. He has help but his plans keep working (unless they're interupted by an insane FBI agent or a ghost or a serial killer's living partner).

[@mychunkyjordi7585]

Erin from Your Next,, yeah she gets shot by a cop but is still alive after taking out the killers. Great video as always 😊 🐾 💜

[@bryangarcia5599]

Correct Answer: Joshua Waits from _Troll 2._ I mean, think about it - he figured out that 'Nilbog' is 'Goblin' spelt backwards. The _genius_ of that. The _genius._

[@theunknownstuntman4010]

His genius, it's almost frightening

[@seanwilkinson7431]

A bona fide suineg for sure

[@thunderchubbs7640]

I like smart characters, but I miss the “Duuuhhhh” before all the dummies from those lists. That got me every time. Cause I’m a little duh my own self.

[@AnnieBoBannie421]

I always investigate weird noises… just everything and anything that would be considered ‘well, her dumbass had that coming’ 🤣🤣

[@christophermollan1684]

Clarice from The Silence of the Lambs..I know it is more of a psychological thriller but it is still considered a horror movie!!!!!

[@rontabb2946]

Dutch from predator…. Was incredibly smart

[@RichardPulfer]

I was just thinking this. For a movie dripping with testosterone, Dutch was pretty sharp. When preparing to attack an enemy camp, he rolling a truck filled with C4 down the hill as a distraction. He also pieced together the Predator's MO over the course of the movie and ultimately discovered that mud could shield him from the Predator's thermal imaging. He also employed a variety of traps, including one that finally brought the Big Guy down.

[@rontabb2946]

Couldn’t have said it better myself…. Definitely deserves a spot on this list

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

This reminds me of the short movie HELL NO: The Sensible Horror Film from 2013. The characters in that short do the opposite of what dumb characters in horror movies usually do (e.g. instead of going into a creepy cabin they go to the beach).

[@joshuafrohm921]

Jessica Roth as Tree Gelban from Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2 U is a super smart character and those movies rock.

[@blm6683]

I'll vote for Marty from Cabin in the Woods. I love when he says, "Don't read the Latin!"

[@paulrodoy7631]

Ripley. Without a doubt. I'd also like to give a shout out to Barbara (Patricia Tallman) from Tom Savini"s excellent remake of Night of the Living Dead. She literally works it out in the first act and if everyone had listened to her no-one would have died. "They so slow. We could walk right passed them." One of the brightest and most underrated Final Girls of all time.❤

[@johnestrada294]

I thinks now there's enought material for a Shinning horror timeline with Stanley Kubrick's version, the 2 part made for TV version and Doctor Sleep.

[@matthewganong1730]

David Drayton from The Mist. That’s what makes that movie so devastating. He does everything exactly right… and ends up with the worst outcome imaginable.

[@seanrobertson3462]

Ripely hands down. I think we all have been that person at work trying to follow the rules and some jackass overrules you and then it all goes to hell.

[@TheMajorBlazer]

Ben from Night of the Living Dead should be everyone's smartest character

[@teresafreeman4684]

I think Erin from Your Next should be on the list. Also maybe Alice from A Nightmare on Elmstreets 4-5.

[@jackwells8107]

I was kind of surprised Nancy Thompson wasn't here.

[@RRAY1991]

Eh Alice was an idiot in both movies tbh.

[@976weeble]

Nancy Thompson!

[@Beardo2517]

Dude from Friday the 13 part 2 who stayed at the bar

[@ThePw99]

Ted

[@Beardo2517]

@@ThePw99 thank you I could not remember his name lol. It's been forever since I've seen it

[@ThePw99]

No problem. I actually just watched it yesterday or the day before. I'm on a Friday rewatch right now so everything is fresh in my mind.

[@rontabb2946]

Gotta throw one more name in the mix….. Sean from monster squad. That kid was way ahead of the curve lol

[@jthompson7175]

I always thought Peter from Dawn of the Dead was smart. He knew when to try to de-escalate a situation, like there were a few times early in the movie where he could have butted heads with Flyboy, but he never did. He was stern when he needed to be and knew the group he was with had to work together in order to survive. When they landed on the mall, I don't think Peter ever saw it as a permanent home, but it was clear they were leaving without a lot of fuel and no real plan. So make the mall work for as long as possible and GTFO when needed. The fake wall covering the door was his idea because he knew there was a good chance someone would come by for a hostile house call. And when they did, Peter's plan was to sit back assess the damages, and most likely leave. It blew up because Flyboy decided to fight, but I think if Flyboy kept his cool, the whole thing would have worked out.

[@LordBitememan]

I still give mad props to John from Day of the Dead who had the best foresight and planning: "Gas up the chopper."

[@jthompson7175]

@@LordBitememan True.

[@GoryRory]

I would have added Mike and/or Reggie from the Phantasm films. 🤘⚪️

[@rontabb2946]

Alexandra amberson in wishmaster. She outsmarted the jinn

[@teresafreeman4684]

Ripley is the smartest from this list

[@psych0pupp3t]

Kat in The Sadness, uses common sense at pretty much every turn.

[@jahpunk7092]

In Creepshow (1982) there is a short story called The Crate. Henry is having martial problems and figures out a way to have the monster eat what torments him. By "smart" I figure not to be limited to ethical or "good" people. --- Actually what came to mind instantly was Ted in Friday the 13th Part 2...who....stays in the bar while everyone is slaughtered at Camp Blood. But maybe that is a different question/video. Those who survived in a horror movie by blind luck.

[@marie-helenemartel7147]

That tech guy from Nope who, knowing he'svgoing to be eaten and knowing also that Jean Jacket ( the alien creature) cannot digest metal, wraps himself in wires. He is spit back, unarmed.

[@TonyGearSolid]

Erin from You're Next should've been on the list, but maybe that would've been too easy of a win.

[@mrnewson]

Ripley's got my vote , but I'm biased Alien and Aliens are my favourite films!

[@johnestrada294]

They're need to be super well known horror films? Cause I propose Vivian from 2016 Carnage Park.

[@Danimal77]

1. The protagonist couple in Vacancy (2007) are by far the smartest characters in a horror movie. 2. Ginny from Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981). 3. Danny Torrance from The Shining (1980). 4. Joah Leaven from Cube (1997). 5. Ben from Night of the Living Dead (1968). 6. Henry from Creepshow (1982). 7. Jacob from Jacob's Ladder (1990).

[@lila10P]

My first thought was of Erin from You're Next (2013). There were a lot of good choices on the list and it's a wee bit hard to pick just one. (Ripley from Alien is mine, ultimately)

[@vonVile]

I'm surprised Charley Brewster from Fright Night didn't make the list. Honey Pie from Feast. She goes out of the bar, that is surrounded by monsters, to get to the 18 wheeler outside. After she starts it instead of going back to save everybody else, she gets the hell out of Dodge. Yes, its a dick move, but she's alive... Well, until Feast 3. Not to discount Danny in The Shining, but the movie foretells him outsmarting his father by showing him watching Roadrunner And Wyle E Coyote cartoons. Also I suggest you watch Anti-Logic's Danny Theory where he declares Danny is the real cause to everything happening.

[@shanecasebeer1364]

Joel from Scream 2 was the first character that came to mind with this list.

[@leejtam0914]

you goofed on Sidney Campbell

[@Maddharl]

Tough call between Macready and Miller for me, for the reasons you said in the vid.

[@jeremystewart7973]

If the Hound of the Baskerville is considered horror, which I think it should be, it's undeniably Sherlock Holmes.

[@Jake-nl3er]

Arkin from the Collector series should have been on the list.

[@mistyharris7463]

I vote Danny! Because he's adorable (I can't help it) and quick on his feet.

[@grahamgoodridge9050]

Thanks!

[@jazcc]

This was a great list

[@LordBitememan]

You're going to have to do a smartest and dumbest characters from science fiction next.

[@alleahsasseville]

Danny...pretty smart kid 👌

[@stitchgroover]

I would add Maddie from Hush onto the next list.

[@tambor34]

Despite dying, the dummies were more fun.

[@stewmott3763]

I'd have had Nancy from Nightmare on Elm Street, although she's more resourceful and brave than 'smart'. And who the hell says Alien isn't really a horror film?? Alien is THE horror film! 🙂

[@lakeplunkett5864]

R.J MacCready for sure

[@mscrys1908]

Erin from You’re Next

[@venomous6593]

Phil from misery has to be the smartest character in any horror movie I seen

[@dilloninja]

Nancy Thompson NOES

[@asukalangley6494]

I hoped at least a runner up for... Gordon the dog from Friday 4 the Final Chapter. Gordon! Gordon! Gordon! Besides as we've seen on this list, "Cowardice is its own reward!"

[@deeksbogard6137]

So we're just going to ignore that he's been called Sidney Prescott the wrong name, or am I missing a joke?

[@jamiepalmer6452]

I think he just made a mistake and mixed up the names of Sidney Prescott and Neve Campbell. But it's funny that I've only seen one other comment point it out.

[@MetalionSOS]

Maybe it was a reference to Cindy Campbell from the Scary Movie series?

[@MrFurious176]

I feel that if we as viewers and Macready had suspected Palmer of being a Thing it would have ruined the greatest jump scare of all time!

[@Blake-gh8xl]

Also can we get a best side kick top ten or duo?

[@jaredbrown2443]

Joel from Scream 2. He got out when it was clearly unsafe. And especially in a time that it was a horrible stereotype that black people died first or most

[@JPK70]

When it comes to Friday The Final Chapter I’m not sure if Tommy Jarvis is a total genius or if Jason is a complete moron. What was up with that scene? He didn’t even have to shave his head. He could’ve just not did all that and would’ve got the same results. LOL

[@ghay2239]

Spidervere?!!!

[@samwill7259]

imagine the worst movie youve seen. whichever guy dies first, he gets paid, and gets to enjoy craft services

[@chatanugadotorg]

Ginny from Friday the 13th Part 2. Able to hit Jason square in the balls and live to tell about it.

[@blm6683]

Tommy from Friday 4 isn't smart. Why would he think his plan would work? 1. He doesn't look much like Jason, he just has an atrocious haircut. 2. Jason probably didn't spend a ton of time staring at himself in the first place (living in the lake or the woods and all) so he probably wouldn't even recognize himself . 3. Even if he looked just like Jason, what's the thinking? Hey, another me! I guess I shouldn't kill him or his friend? If all Tommy wanted was a distraction, there are much easier ways to accomplish his goal.

[@jamesphelan7556]

Don't you mean Sidney Prescott from Scream?

[@manuelvelez7777]

The lady from your next

[@john_blues]

Roger is the best!

[@jaredbrown2443]

Sidney Campbell? Lolol. No. Prescott

[@Blake-gh8xl]

Can we get a final girl top 10 sir???

[@scottneil1187]

Definitely not Macready, blowing the thing apart with dynamite and spreading it all over the place in the process isn't smart.

[@Haplo699g]

I'd disqualify Ginny as while hiding from a killer that has already offed her friends she pisses herself because she sees a rat. Erin from You're Next should take her spot.

[@AnnieBoBannie421]

I really wanted ‘Sidney’ killed off in the last ‘Scream’… actually, I’ve always rooted against her. Just don’t like her 🤣🤣smug , know it all 🤷‍♀️

[@Lulu-ew7oh]

How is she a know it all 😂

[@AnnieBoBannie421]

@@Lulu-ew7oh in the sequels 🤣… she’d show up, (part 3 onwards) give advice, tell everyone how/what was happening…. yet every damn body still got off’ed 🤣 if she ever showed up to ‘help’ me, my friends or family… I’d get the hell out because we all know it’ll just be her and Gayle standing at the end 🤣🤣

[@JamiJR]

Actually "The Wendy Theory" is stupid and misogynistic. The ghosts in the book and movie are real and blaming Wendy is incel/neckbeard behavior.