Horror Movies Based on True Events

Horror movies have a unique way of evoking fear and excitement, drawing audiences into terrifying worlds filled with supernatural beings, psychopathic killers, and otherworldly occurrences. Yet, it's all too comforting to remind ourselves that what we see on the screen is just fiction, and the events portrayed didn't actually happen. However, some horror films are based on true and terrifying events that occurred in the real world, making them even more bone-chilling and unsettling.

Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Infamous Ed Gein

Ed Gein, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield, serves as the disturbing inspiration behind two iconic horror movies, "Psycho" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." In Plainfield, Wisconsin, Ed Gein's creepy old farmhouse and peculiar behavior raised suspicions among neighbors, who considered him an odd but harmless man. However, this perception shattered when people started disappearing.

Upon investigation, police unearthed a horrifying scene at Gein's property. Amongst his possessions were four noses, masks made from human skin, decapitated heads, lampshades fashioned from skin, and even bowls and belts made from human remains. Gein was arrested and later confessed to two murders, including that of the deputy sheriff's mother, whose body was found gutted in his shed.

The true extent of Gein's macabre actions became apparent when it was discovered that he had raided nearby cemeteries, digging up bodies at night to obtain human body parts. His crimes served as the basis for the characters of Norman Bates in "Psycho" and the depraved family in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

The Hills Have Eyes: Alexander Bean's Gruesome Family

"The Hills Have Eyes," a cult classic horror film, draws its roots from a horrifying real-life story involving Alexander Bean, a Scottish clan leader who lived with his inbred family of 14 children and 32 grandchildren during the 16th and 17th centuries. The family's secluded existence in a cave near Edinburgh took a sinister turn when hundreds of travelers passing through the area vanished mysteriously.

The Beans were notorious for ambushing unsuspecting victims, robbing, murdering, and later pickling their limbs for consumption. They even dug up bodies from nearby graveyards to satisfy their sinister desires. Their heinous acts continued for approximately 25 years until the husband of one of their victims escaped and alerted the authorities. King James I led an army to their cave, exposing the horrifying extent of the family's crimes.

In "The Hills Have Eyes," the fictionalized portrayal of the cannibalistic family and their monstrous actions pays homage to the dark legacy of Alexander Bean and his descendants.

The Right: Real Exorcism Encounters

"The Right," starring Anthony Hopkins, delves into the world of exorcisms, based on the experiences of trainee exorcist Father Gary Thomas. Sent to Rome to strengthen his faith and study exorcism, Father Thomas initially approached the idea skeptically. However, his skepticism turned to terror when he witnessed firsthand the demonic possession of individuals.

During his apprenticeship with Father Carmine, Father Thomas attended numerous exorcisms, including one involving a possessed woman named Lisa. He recalled the woman's transformation, her hissing and spitting, and speaking in a strange language. The chilling encounter bears similarities to the exorcism scenes depicted in the film.

"The Right" is inspired by Matt Baglio's book "The Right: The Making of a Modern-Day Exorcist," which offers a glimpse into the world of exorcism and the battle against malevolent forces.

The Silence of the Lambs: Real-Life Inspirations

Stephen King wasn't the only author to draw inspiration from real-life events. Thomas Harris, the mastermind behind "The Silence of the Lambs," based some of his characters on notorious figures in history.

Clarice Starling, the determined FBI student, was inspired by Pat Kirby, who became the first female member of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit. Harris studied the FBI's Behavior Science Unit, which paved the way for creating the character of Starling.

The psychopathic cannibalistic killer, Hannibal Lecter, draws his essence from the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, who terrorized the nation with his sadistic crimes in the 1970s.

Additionally, the character of Buffalo Bill in "The Silence of the Lambs" mirrors aspects of Ed Gein's grotesque actions, particularly his use of female skin to craft clothing and his desire to assume a feminine identity.

The Shining: The Haunting Stanley Hotel

Stephen King's stay at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado became the inspiration for his iconic novel "The Shining." The vast and secluded hotel offered an eerie ambiance that ignited King's imagination and led him to experience ghostly encounters.

King's perception of isolation, coupled with the inexplicable presence of spectral figures, laid the foundation for the haunted Overlook Hotel in "The Shining."

The Stanley Hotel itself has a reputation for being one of America's most haunted places. Numerous reports of paranormal activity, including ghostly children running and giggling, unexplained movements of objects, and eerie piano music heard from empty rooms, lend credibility to its eerie reputation.

While "The Shining" was not filmed at the Stanley Hotel, its haunting legacy remains deeply ingrained in the property, where both the film and its more faithful mini-series adaptation are available for viewing on channel 42.

In conclusion, these five horror movies reveal a chilling reality where fiction intersects with real-life horrors. The ghastly tales of Ed Gein, Alexander Bean, exorcisms, true crimes, and haunted places continue to fuel our fascination with the unknown and serve as a stark reminder that some of the most terrifying stories are rooted in reality. Whether loosely inspired or closely based on true events, these films evoke fear and discomfort, making them stand out among the vast sea of horror movies.