One of themost popular tropes usedinhorror gamesis the use of mannequins. In the broad daylight of real life, mannequins are harmless enough and are typically found in stores to simply display outfits. However, in horror games, players can run into these creepy humanoid impostors just about anywhere. Whether it be in a household or a shipwreck, they always seem to feel sinister even by simply being present.
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Somehow, the presence of a human-like, yet not actually human, the object is enough to allow players to feel spooked every time. There is something eerie about mannequins and statues that make people feel uncomfortable, as if they’re alone yet still being watched somehow. Here are some of the best (and most terrifying) scares in horror games that use mannequins.
Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead!
7Resident Evil 7: The Baker Guest House
While there are still a few creepy mannequins hanging around the Baker residence (for reasons unknown), one of the best scares in the game is one of the most subtle ones, and it only occurs in the demo ofResident Evil 7! In the infamousRE7demo that seemed to update every week until the game’s long-awaited release back in 2017, there was one area in the Baker guest house that stood out in an eerie way.
Aside from the more obvious, loud, and upfront jumpscares in this demo (courtesy of Mr. Jack Bakerwelcoming the player to the family), the mannequin scare was quiet yet effective. In the upstairs area, leading to the attic, the player can find a trio of armless mannequins in a corner facing the wall. However, the moment the player turns their back on the trio and goes off to explore or search for items, the mannequins make their move. Once the player turns back to check in on the mannequins again, they’ve somehow all turned to face the player. Subtle, easy to miss, but terrifying nonetheless!
6Mannequin The Passing: The Journey Forward
Mannequin The Passingdoesn’t simply use mannequins as a fun, quick, one-time scare, it’s the whole game’s premise.Mannequin The Passingis anindie psychological horrorthat is all about puzzles. Each level is simple on paper: travel from point A to point B. However, each level is littered with mannequins. The player is to safely navigate through each stage, keeping an eye (and ear) out for any clues that will help them with their survival.
While many of the mannequins are harmless and simple inanimate objects,some of them are sentient and evil, waiting for the player to come close enough for them to pounce and attack. Each level becomes harder, with clues and hints being more difficult to detect, bringing the player’s possible demise, closer and closer.
5Silent Hill 3: Store Front Poseables
At one point inSilent Hill 3,protagonist Heather is stuckin the Hilltop Centre mall and comes across an eerie store on the third floor that happens to sell mannequins. Once Heather enters the Store Front Poseables area, she finds herself surrounded by terrifying legless mannequins. While many of the mannequins are without legs or even a head, there is one particular one that isn’t headless. The player can come across this one mannequin as it stands alone at the end of a narrow hallway. Heather even makes it a point to have a dialogue line, mentioning how strange that only one mannequin in the store has a head while the rest do not.
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After walking away to inspect the rest of the room and entering the next hallways over, the player suddenly hears a woman’s scream break the stale silence. If the player returns to check the lone mannequin, they will be greeted with a gory scene. The mannequin, once with a head, has been beheaded, blood all over the floor and its body (despite not being a real human being), with not a clue about its attacker in sight.
4Kraven Manor: The Manor
The moment the player steps inside the giant manor known asKraven Manor, it’s clear that something sinister hides within. Upon entering, the player is greeted with an interesting puzzle that involves a large tabletop that they must fill with smaller models of each room of the house. Around this area are scattered bronze statue pieces lying on the bloodstained floor. However, just beyond the game’s main puzzle is the veryfirst bronze mannequin(of many) the player encounters. Silently standing at the top of the main staircase, towering over the player as they climb up the stairs, giving the player an idea of what’s to come. The overall presence of the mannequins begins to slowly suffocate the player, making it clear that these bronze statues are trying to get a deadly message across.
Despite its short length,Kraven Manoris an excellent example of how effective human-like statues can be in achieving an eerie, stomach-churning atmosphere, even during such a short stay.
3Condemned: Bart’s Department Store
The 2005 psychological horror game,Condemned: Criminal Originsisa beloved classicthat all horror fans look back on with both nostalgia and chills. Bart’s Department Store is the famous, abandoned shop that the player must navigate through; not knowing if the eerie figures around them are harmless mannequins or enemies in hiding, posing as dummies. Some of the mannequins will serve as red herrings and move to look at the player from afar while a real enemy comes charging in around the corner.
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Although it may be a bit of a relief to see simple mannequins instead of enemies, the player will then realize that perhaps the mannequins pose a threat as well. As the player explores further, they come across five well-dressed mannequins, all lined up in a row. However, after a while, the player may come to notice that the group of dapper gentlemen is actually closely following the player every step of the way; reappearing around every corner, multiplying each time.
2Layers Of Fear 2: Shipwreck
The mannequins inLayers Of Fear 2are a bit different as they aren’t static like statues and can actually move and even appear to breathe, yet are still merely ersatz human beings. In an early section of the game, the player encounters an eerie area with large gears, clocks, machinery, and of course, mannequins. This area is said to be an homage to the 1927 film,Metropolisand absolutely nails the bleak atmosphere.
However, this is not the last the player sees of the creepy mannequins as they appear once more in theshipwreck area, near the final act. In the shipwreck area, the player is forced to navigate through an entire maze, filled with terrifying mannequins. While many of them simply stand still, others aren’t as harmless.
1Resident Evil 8 (Shadows Of Rose DLC): House Beneviento
Just like daddy Ethan Winters, poor little Rose is forced to go through the horrifying endeavor that is known as House Beneviento. While the creepy Mia puppet makes an appearance in the originalResident Evil 8, it is inRose’s “Shadow Of Rose” DLCthat really plays up the terrors of mannequins coming to life.
While in House Beneviento, Rose is forced to play a deadly game of “Red Light, Green Light” with the Mia mannequin; meaning that every time Rose turns away from the Mia mannequin and loses sight of it, it makes its way closer and closer to her. If the player’s impending doom and the creepy sound of footsteps and squeaking weren’t bad enough, every so often, the player can catch the terrifying movements of the mannequin just before it freezes.
