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The horror movie genre is undeniably one of the most creative, with themes that range from absurd parodies–think the puppet friends in Head–to those rooted in real-life traditions–like disturbing rituals in Midsommar. Among the many ways that horror movie creators achieve this level of creativity is through their clever use of costuming. With the right accessories on hand, characters are able to flesh out the story and add to the film’s overall vibe.
One of the most commonly used costuming accessories in film, including those under horror, is eye wear. More specifically, dozens of movies have utilized sunglasses for the above mentioned purposes. In 1988, wrestler Roddy Piper even starred in the cult classic They Live, where strange sunglasses play a pivotal role in exposing the protagonists’ alien foes. The same shades are even prominently featured on the movie’s posters, further underscoring their importance.
Across horror film history, sunglasses have similarly been featured worn by iconic figures, whether as part of their usual attire or in pivotal scenes. Here, we’ve listed three of the most memorable examples that prove shades provide just as much storytelling function as they do fashion in horror.
Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4
If there is one character whose infamy has stood the test of time, it’s Freddy Krueger. Literally nightmare fuel, the scarred slasher remains one of the most famous horror movie villains of all time. Since his first debut in Wes Craven’s first installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise in 1984. Though initially a bit more of a “straight” antagonist in the earlier films, the character’s real-life popularity soon saw later films portray him in an occasionally cheekier light.
The most well-known instance of this came in the franchise’s fourth film, where Freddy dons a pair of sunnies on the beach after breaking the fourth wall by turning to the camera. Reportedly, the shades he wore here are Ray-Ban Wayfarers. To date, these sunnies are some of the eyewear brand’s bestsellers. On retailer Clearly, this model is one of the more popular ones among its selection of prescription sunglasses. This speaks to the style’s timelessness and versatility, given that they can even be worn with polarized lenses. The latter is notably similar to Freddy’s pair in the movie. As it happens, both Freddy and the Wayfarers have strong pop culture legacies, which make them a fitting pair in cinematic history.
Blade, lordylordylordy 👀 folks still lookin for the secret sauce, ridin snowmobiles in traffic, kinda rough.
Daywalkers make it look easy, don’t they? 😊#DaywalkerKlique #Blade #Marvel pic.twitter.com/YZVAqg9egz
— Wesley Snipes (@wesleysnipes) June 16, 2024
Blade in the Blade franchise
Actor Wesley Snipes has a long and storied career, but there’s no question that his run as the vampire Blade is part of what propelled his stardom. So much so that even after a hiatus, Snipes’ Blade often delights fans when he does make a cameo. The most recent example of this was in 2024’s mega-hit superhero filmDeadpool & Wolverine. Of course, even though his character was never explicitly introduced in the movie, he was easy enough to recognize thanks to his wardrobe, which includes his sleek black sunglasses. Fans will recall that in his films, the shades are meant to provide extra protection for the daywalker’s vampiric eyes.
Although fans can’t expect their favorite daywalker’s return to the big screen via his own film any time soon, they can cop his eyewear look. While it’s not been confirmed, many internet sleuths and movie buffs on sites like IMDB and Reddit say that Blade’s eyewear in the first two films was Oakleys. In particular, it’s said that Snipes’ own admiration for the brand is the reason why his character wore Oakley Fours. Although no longer in production, these shades have become so associated with the beloved character that vintage pairs are still sold on third-party sites like eBay.
Dr. Jack Griffin in The Invisible Man
Perhaps one of the earliest instances of a character using sunglasses in a horror film is in 1933’s The Invisible Man. In the film, Dr. Jack Griffin effectively makes himself totally invisible as part of a string of failed experiments. Slowly, though, he loses his control over his invisibility and his sanity, becoming increasingly turned off by humanity. This more nuanced approach to his characterization and motivations is a stark contrast to the antagonist in the 2020 remake of the same name.
When Griffin tries to hide his invisibility in the film, he wraps himself in bandages and wears oversized sunglasses. In one of the movie’s most pivotal moments, the now-deranged scientist rips off his shades and bandages, much to the horror of the mod around him, ultimately sealing his fate.
