John Carpenter’s 10 Greatest Characters
John Carpenter has built a reputation that is untouchable. His films have held the attention of viewers for more than three decades, and he’s helped to birth some of the most memorable personalities to ever grace a screen. That is a direct result of understanding content, understanding performers, and understanding the merging of both. It’s a trick that Carpenter mastered early in his career, which has afforded him the tools to build unforgettable celluloid with identities that the viewer can relate to.
Regardless of what your favorite John Carpenter film may be, it’s impossible to deny the man’s accomplishments in character examination and excavation. He brings the best out of his performers, and he does so on a consistent basis. Rarely will you see a performer miscast in a Carpenter piece, and that also speaks to his professional insight and extensive experience.
Carpenter knows character. And as a result, we know his characters. Especially these 10!
10. Sutter Cain (In the Mouth of Madness):
About as creepy as any villain that Carpenter has introduced, the Lovecraftian Sutter Cane had tricks up his sleeve that set him apart from the majority of his Carpenter created peers. I mean, come on now; the dude is essentially a walking, talking portal to a monstrous hell. That’s a frightening dude if ever there was one. And the manner in which Jürgen Prochnow approaches the character… oh good god, it’s paralyzing just thinking about it.
9. Nada (They Live):
Decades ago critics called “Rowdy” Roddy Piper a cheap stand-in for frequent collaborator Kurt Russell. Maybe there’s a hint of truth in that, but it doesn’t matter one bit. Even though Piper plays a role very befitting of Russell, he puts his own spin on a cool creation with wicked body slams and a hint of compassion in those eyes. He’s paranoid, but for good reason, and he’s also determined to see that humanity remains as pure as possible. And he’s likable through the entire adventure.
8. Nick Castle (The Fog):
What made Tom Atkins’ work as Nick Castle so successful was the fact that he never crossed the line that separates a courageous man from a bona fide superhero. Nick was very human. He was susceptible and frightened, but he did his best to make sure that the ones around him, the ones he cared about, were safe. He put his life and his mustache on the line more than once, and we not only respect him for that, we love him for that. And, just so we’re really, really clear: An extra shout-out goes to that caterpillar we all envy.
