A smile meant to convey joy. It's a welcoming expression that usually invites people in, putting them at ease. That said, some individuals can use this wholesome tool as a weapon for evil.

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Horror films have produced several such smiles. Villains and other nefarious characters put on a grin that veers toward fright instead of fun. Sometimes, it's the manner of the grin that puts people off. Other times, it comes down to the context. Whatever the circumstances, these scary mugs send chills down audiences' spines, making them never want to laugh again.

7 Psycho

Psycho movie norman bates smiling

Norman Bates is never outright scary in Psycho. He's vaguely unsettling, but his timid demeanor hides something far more sinister. It comes when he reveals an alternate persona based on his abusive mother, whose skeleton he keeps in his basement. It's her narration that audiences hear when her son is caught at the end.

Amid the inner monologue, Norman's dejected expression slowly gives way to a smirk. He's clearly gone off the deep end, fully embodying his mother in all her manipulative glory. An especially nice touch is an image of her skull layered over the footage. In those few moments, viewers become uncomfortably familiar with the depths of this disturbed individual.

6 The Evil Dead

Linda in The Evil Dead

The demonic curse of The Evil Dead morphs humans in monstrous ways. They not only undergo grotesque physical changes, but they can develop demented new personalities. This lets them revel in sadistic mockery of their personal blows.

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That's on full display with Linda. She stretches her mouth far beyond natural limits, and her decayed skin and vacant eyes give the impression of a smiling corpse. That visual would be disgusting enough in itself, but she compounds it with a high-pitched giggle and a silly song, all while holding the same grin. It's a hideous perversion of innocence, which naturally torments both Ash and the audience. One can almost forgive him for chopping her up.

5 The Exorcist

Regan in The Exorcist

This is also a case of devilish deformity. The Exorcist might not have the depraved attempt at innocence, but it compensates with a deeper dive into horror. A case in point is the Devil possessing the child, Regan. He loves flaunting his despicable nature with this girl as his puppet.

His smile is a mild sight compared to the other evil actions, yet it's still effectively horrific. The possession has given Regan rotten teeth, jaundiced eyes, and decayed skin. Making matters worse is the indeterminate fluid leaking from her mouth. It's as if an otherworldly being is really killing her from the inside out. Such an idea carries terrifying implications. Anything can happen from here on out.

4 A Clockwork Orange

Alex in A Clockwork Orange

Malcolm McDowell has played countless villains in his career, and a key reason for that is his foreboding appearance. His angular features are imposing enough, but his piercing eyes can unnerve the most stalwart soul with just a glance. That even applies when portraying an effeminate gang leader.

Alex terrorizes the populace in A Clockwork Orange, perfectly encapsulating his twisted tendencies in a downward smirk. This would ordinarily indicate mischief, but his eyes betray the unhinged sadism that lies beneath. This is one street punk viewers wouldn't want to encounter on an upstanding street, let alone in a dark alley.

3 Sleepaway Camp

Angela in Sleepaway Camp

Angela is another emotionally stunted villain. She is really a boy who was raised as a girl, named in honor of a deceased twin. This makes for a disturbing twist at the end. As he stands over his final victim, Angela is totally naked. Here, audiences see a boy's body with a girl's head. The horror compounds when the camera zooms into that head.

He sports a giddy grin like a kid who doesn't know better. His eyes and mouth are wide open, stretching to inhuman degrees. Worst of all is the male moans--almost sexual in sound--emitting from the murderer. These factor into a final sting which is uncomfortable in every conceivable way.

2 Terminator 2: Judgment Day

T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The T-1000 is a more advanced Terminator than Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800, partly because he looks and acts more like a human. That's precisely why he's so unsettling. He can pull off an aura of casual friendliness with a believable smile on his face. However, something still feels wrong.

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As weird as it sounds, the T-1000 is too unassuming. His demeanor comes across as rehearsed at points. He strengthens that sense with his short pauses. It's as if he's calculating his next response, all the while holding the same welcoming smirk. In the process, he achieves an uncanny valley effect with a real person: a feat as impressive as it is repulsive.

1 Dracula

Dracula in Horror of Dracula

A classic move for vampires is to show off their fangs in tooth-filled grins. Numerous Dracula portrayals emulate this sight, but none are more frightening than Christopher Lee. Some of that is down to the red eyes, shadows on his face, and the blood pouring from his mouth. However, it has more to do with how perfectly he fits the role.

Lee looks like the evil count in all his glory. He has the authoritative presence of a lord, but this easily gives way to wild eyes and a snarling smile. This expression possesses primal energy akin to a hungry animal waiting to pounce. That said, Dracula is more dangerous than any carnivore, and viewers definitely feel that with a lustful look.

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