Halloween is no longer just an American tradition. Over the last few years, the spooky season has taken over globally, and Australia is certainly no exception. Last year, more than one in five Australians got involved in the Halloween festivities, pushing spending on the celebrations to absolute record levels. From local neighborhood trick-or-treating to elaborate themed parties, October 31 is now officially a major event on the calendar.
But as the celebrations continue to grow, so does our deep fascination with the characters that define the season. The classic, terrifying villains like Michael Myers and Chucky are now sharing the pop culture spotlight with a brand new generation of horror icons, such as the robotic menace M3GAN. Meanwhile, enduring favourites like Pennywise the clown and the chaotic Gremlins continue to captivate completely new audiences year after year.
With the spooky season fast approaching, the popular culture brand Funko is celebrating the intense fandom behind these famous characters. They have released an exciting new lineup of Funko Pop! vinyl figures, but more importantly, they are asking a very revealing question: What does your favourite horror icon actually say about your personality?
Let us break down the psychology behind your horror preferences and see where you fit in.
Chucky: The Agent of Chaos
(Buff Chucky Pop! – RRP: $24.99 AUD)
If your favourite horror villain is the possessed doll Chucky, you do not want your scary movies to take themselves too seriously. You want the experience to be completely unhinged. In your daily life, you are probably the friend who is most likely to cause absolute chaos in the group chat and, somehow, manage to escape all the consequences. You thrive on unpredictability and love a good laugh, even when things on the screen are supposed to be terrifying.
Michael Myers: The Horror Purist
(Michael Myers on Fire! – RRP: $24.99 AUD)
Are you drawn to the silent, unstoppable force of Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise? If so, you like your horror to be classic and uncomplicated. You do not need deep, elaborate lore or a 14-part video explainer to understand the plot. Just give you an iconic mask, an incredibly ominous soundtrack, and a villain who inexplicably walks at a slow pace instead of running to catch their victims. You appreciate the simple, traditional scares that have successfully stood the test of time.
Pennywise: The Stephen King Obsessed
(IT: Chapter 2 – Pennywise with Balloon Pop! – RRP: $24.99 AUD)
If the terrifying, shape-shifting clown from IT is your top choice, you are definitely the intellectual of your horror fan club. You likely have very strong opinions about which film version of IT is better, and you will share them even when nobody asked. A massive, 1,000-page book does not intimidate you; it excites you. And yes, you have absolutely explained the deep, cosmic lore of Stephen King’s universe to friends and family who definitely did not request the information.
M3GAN: The Chronically Online One
(M3GAN Pop! – RRP: $24.99 AUD)
If M3GAN is your modern horror hero, your daily screen time is probably off the charts. You knew M3GAN’s viral dance choreography before you had even seen the movie trailer. You communicate with your friends primarily in reaction images, you know exactly what is trending before the rest of the world catches on, and you have definitely defended a ridiculous outfit or a terrible movie by simply declaring, “it is camp.” You love horror that is highly shareable and deeply internet-literate.
Who Is Your Favourite?
Whether you relate to the classic, slow-walking slashers or the viral modern stars, the characters we love often reveal a little bit about who we are. As you prepare your decorations and costumes for this October, take a moment to look at the figures sitting on your shelf. They might just be telling everyone exactly what kind of friend you are.
