Hayley Stark from Hard Candy
OK, I know one can genuinely argue if this is a horror movie or not, but Ellen Page’s role as supergirl/psychotic torturer Hayley Stark is nothing short of terrifying. For the common viewers, the horrors stem from Haley’s sick, twisted, maniacal torturing of Patrick Wilson’s pedo-character Jeff Kohlver, but for f#ck’s sake, could you imagine another pedophile bastard watching Hayley in action and thinking “That could be me.” Messed up to actually say that, and in no way would I bat an eye if it happened in real life, but damn, talk about a pedo’s nightmare come true.
Ellen Page’s unflinching role is really what cements Hard Candy as an incredibly tough watch to stomach, making viewers question who is actually the victim in this scenario. You know, the whole “hunter becomes the hunted thing,” but concerning a social issue which we still unfortunately see in today’s world (Dead Giveaway?). Just watching the mental mind-f#ck that is Hayley’s sick game of revenge raises the horror of watching what appears to be a sweet, innocent little Red Riding hood looking girl turn into the evil mastermind she is – barring talk about her motivations.
Right or wrong, you’ve got your opinion, but either way you look at it, Hayley Stark is a terrifying little manipulator.