In horror movies, the boyfriend is often seen as disrespectful, selfish, and plain unsupportive. This type of behavior doesn’t bode well for their fates either. The boyfriend is essentially painted as less upstanding to create a contrasting effect between him and his partner, typically the virtuous main character.
However, not every male love interest in the horror is a jerk. Some actually turned out to be the complete opposite of what’s been typified thus far. To prove it, here are ten guys who ended up being the best horror movie boyfriends (potential or otherwise). And, to clarify before anyone asks, husbands are excluded this time around.
Jason in Inner Demons (2014)
This is a contentious entry seeing as the outcome for this 2014 found-footage movie is incredibly mean and dark. Yet, up until that point, Jason (Morgan McClellan) is a pretty decent guy who wants to do the right thing even when everyone’s telling him not to.
In Inner Demons, an Intervention-like documentary show follows a teenage addict named Carson (Lara Vosburgh). One of the film crew members, Jason, thinks their subject’s problem really stems from demonic possession. Everyone has written Carson off as a lost cause, but Jason remains staunch in his belief that she can be saved.
Mickey in Villains (2019)
For starters, Mickey (Bill Skarsgård) isn’t an infallible dude. He just so happens to rob people with his girlfriend, Jules (Maika Monroe). He definitely could be doing better things with his time. That being said, he really loves Jules. And, Mickey makes great sacrifices to keep her and others safe.
In Villains, a pair of amateur robbers break into the wrong house. They find a young girl chained up in the basement, but this is hardly the weirdest thing to be found in this dreadful domicile.
Ollie in Crush the Skull (2015)
Home invasion movies are nothing special these days. The Strangers made them popular for a short while, but their lack of originality probably has something to do with their lessening these days. That being said, Crush the Skull is a pleasant surprise. It rings familiar while still serving up something enjoyable and different.
Crush the Skull stands out because it’s a comedy with horror elements. Sure, the humor seems strange in this kind of movie. It works, though, because of the cast. Which is led by Chris Dinh, also the movie’s co-writer. As Ollie, Chris charms audiences as he worms his way out of some tight situations. He proves to be a great boyfriend, too, despite the fact his girlfriend’s brother is a complete foil.
Bret in Lights Out (2016)
Family drama can be an unfortunate turnoff when dating. Which is why some would rather not bring up their troubled parents or siblings with their romantic partners. The reason why varies from person to person. In Light Outs, Rebecca (Teresa Palmer) has no choice but to confront the deep-seated issues that plague her family.
In this 2016 feature-length adaptation of David F. Sandberg’s short of the same name, a woman comes to her younger brother’s aid when their mother’s mental health problems spiral out of control. Rebecca’s boyfriend, Bret (Alexander DiPersia), seems like the guy who would bail at the first sign of trouble, but he defies expectations.
Carter in Happy Death Day (2017) / Happy Death 2U (2019)
Meet-cutes are hardly ever this cute. At the heart of Christopher Landon’s time-bending duology lies one of the sweetest romances in recent years. What began as some mild and mutual annoyance ends up a love story that crosses dimensions.
Beginning in Happy Death Day, a college student named Tree (Jessica Rothe) wakes up in a stranger’s bed. That stranger being fellow student Carter (Israel Broussard). From this moment forward, Tree is caught in a time loop where she has to relive the same day over and over. The catch—someone is trying to kill her! And, until she can solve her own death, Tree is doomed to repeat that day again and again.
In the sequel Happy Death Day 2U, Tree and Carter have to solve and understand the origin of that cursed time loop.
Ray in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
After evading a vehicular manslaughter charge with his girlfriend and their friends in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Ray (Freddie Prinze Jr.) returned in the panned sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. This time around, his role was smaller, and he hardly shared screentime with his character’s love interest, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt).
As Julie heads off to the Bahamas with her new friends, Ray plans a surprise proposal. Unfortunately, his plans are ruined by the dreaded Fisherman who nearly killed him and Julie. Despite being badly beaten up, Ray does whatever it takes to reach the Bahamas so he can save Julie.
Nick in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)
Handsome and sweet Nick (Kevin Spirtas) is the kind of dream guy we all wish we could meet. Not only does he stick up for you, he sticks by your side—even when Jason Voorhees is after you! That’s right, Nick is another potential victim of the hockey-masked slasher that haunts Crystal Lake.
In Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, Jason is accidentally freed from his underwater confinement thanks to a telekinetic teenager named Tina (Lar Park-Lincoln). Little does she know, she’s released the world’s most deadly serial killer. As she stays with her mother and her therapist at the aforesaid lake, hunky neighbor Nick comes by and woos Tina. And, together, they make a great pair as they battle Jason.
Eddie and Jake in Hellbent (2004)
In a surprising move, both Eddie (Dylan Fergus) and Jake (Bryan Kirkwood) from Hellbent are included. Why not? They have a ton of chemistry, and they stand up for each other when the going gets tough. And boy, do things get tough on Halloween night in West Hollywood.
In the low-budgeted queer horror Hellbent, a group of friends is stalked by a serial killer who’s hiding in plain sight. One by one, these friends are picked off at the Halloween festivities in WeHo. Our ‘final boy’ Eddie lays eyes on a rebel without a cause named Jake, and he’s smitten. Fortunately for the both of them, they have each other’s backs as the devil-masked stranger follows them home.
Eric in Venom (2005)
Sometimes love just ain’t enough. That’s the theme of Eric (Jonathan Jackson) and Eden’s (Agnes Bruckner) on-and-off relationship in the obscure teen slasher Venom. Eden wants bigger things in life, which means moving away from her podunk hometown. This also means breaking up with Eric, her adoring high school sweetheart.
But, after the resident weirdo becomes possessed by pure evil and goes on a killing spree, Eden and Eric reunite in order to stay alive. They also realize how much they mean to each other. The outcome comes off as anticlimatic, but viewers could tell how much they still cared for another.
Chris in Get Out (2017)
Where to begin with this couple? Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) has to tolerate a lot when he goes to meet Rose’s (Allison Williams) affluent family one weekend. Things are naturally awkward at first, but none of that compares to what comes next.
In Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Chris and Rose are off to see Rose’s parents and brother at their isolated country home. As soon as the pleasantries are out of the way, a sinister plot is set in motion. Chris’ life is in danger, and no matter how much he loves Rose, there are limits to how much one can put up with when your partner’s family is this evil.
