As a seasoned investigator with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of chilling cases that have left me shaking in my boots. The tale of Sandy Charles, a young man who was consumed by the evil allure of the movie “Warlock,” is one that will forever haunt my nightmares.
As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by Hollywood’s chilling masterpieces that are rooted in harrowing real-life events. Movies like “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Zodiac,” “Monster,” and “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” are just a few examples of groundbreaking films that have left an indelible mark on the genre. By basing these films on true crimes, they add an undeniable authenticity and intensity that makes them all the more haunting. For horror and thriller fans like myself, knowing that the terror unfolding on screen is based on real events only serves to amplify the chilling effect.
Many films are adapted from true criminal events, but there’s also a smaller yet impactful group of movies that have motivated people to carry out violent acts in reality. These chilling examples of life mirroring art involve crimes committed by infamous serial killers and mass murderers, as well as individuals who thought that unpunished crimes depicted on screen might produce similar consequences off-screen. The following films are known to have incited real-life criminal activities.
As someone who has navigated through personal struggles and faced challenges that involved topics such as suicide, sexual assault, mental illness, extreme violence, and child abuse, I wholeheartedly urge you to approach this article with caution. My own experiences have taught me that such subjects can be deeply distressing, and it’s essential to protect your emotional well-being. If you choose to proceed, please take a moment to mentally and emotionally prepare yourself for the content ahead, and remember that help is always available if needed.
Taxi Driver gave John Hinckley Jr. a blueprint for assassination
In 1981, would-be assassin John Hinckley Jr. attempted to kill President Ronald Reagan, with the aim of gaining the attention of actress Jodie Foster. This act was influenced by Martin Scorsese’s movie “Taxi Driver,” which in turn was based on a true-life assassination plot that had been partly inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange.” After the shooting, Hinckley spent over three decades in a mental health facility.
1976 saw the debut of the movie “Taxi Driver,” where Robert De Niro portrayed a troubled New York taxi driver with a dangerous plan: assassinating a U.S. senator and rescuing a child prostitute (performed by Foster). The film ended in a violent, blood-streaked gunfight. It’s claimed that Hinckley, inspired by the film, watched it at least 15 times, adopting De Niro’s character’s appearance and behavior. He also developed an obsession with Foster, briefly encountering her in real life, and ultimately decided that assassinating the president would bring him closer to her.
During his attempt to assassinate Reagan, Hinckley discharged six shots, wounding two people from the president’s entourage, a police officer, and one of the bullets almost struck Reagan’s heart after bouncing off his car. Despite this, Reagan needed lung surgery but soon recuperated. A trial later determined that Hinckley was not guilty due to insanity; he was freed in 2022 and has since been embroiled in a contentious career as a musician.
Copycat killers took their cues from Scream
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but admire the enduring allure of Ghostface, the enigmatic antagonist from the “Scream” series. The secret lies in its relentless nature – much like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers – it seems to possess an almost otherworldly capacity for chaos, evading capture and death time and again. This uncanny quality amplifies the terror these films instill in us horror enthusiasts, multiplying our fear exponentially. Regrettably, this monstrous essence has inspired three individuals to reenact this dread in reality, with tragic consequences resulting in murder.
16-year-olds Brian Draper and Torey Adamcik were found guilty of first-degree murder for stabbing their classmate Cassie Jo Stoddart during a house-sitting incident in 2006. Initially, they claimed they only meant to frighten her, but things spiraled out of control. A secret video recording revealed that they had meticulously planned the crime in gruesome detail. One of the boys addressed the camera, stating (via Oxygen), “We are twisted psychopaths who derive pleasure from taking other people’s lives. We aspire to be like ‘Scream.'” Currently, Draper and Adamcik are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Approximately five years ago, Thierry Jaradin, a Belgian truck driver, disguised himself as Ghostface to carry out the murder of his 15-year-old neighbor Alisson Cambier while she was at his house. After Cambier rejected Jaradin’s sexual advances, he donned a Ghostface costume and fatally stabbed the teenager 30 times. He subsequently arranged her body on his bed with a rose in her hand and contacted her father to confess to the crime. Jaradin, who acknowledged that “Scream” movies inspired his actions, was given a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A British killer idolized Freddy Krueger
In 2004, a murder series perpetrated by Daniel Gonzalez left British citizens in disbelief. Gonzalez, responsible for the deaths of four individuals and wounding two others, confessed to authorities that his motive was to experience the reality of Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” a character he had frequently watched. However, it’s been suggested that a prolonged history of mental illness, allegedly overlooked by healthcare services, may have driven Gonzalez to commit these crimes.
In September of the specified year, Gonzalez, battling substance abuse and schizophrenia, brutally killed four people across a three-day span before his apprehension. The jury rejected the defense’s claim that Gonzalez was not responsible due to insanity, instead imposing six life sentences on him. During detention, Gonzalez tried to take his own life by biting his arm. Tragically, he passed away in 2007 after cutting his wrists with a shattered CD case.
As a gamer, I recall my mom sharing with BBC News that we kept trying to get proper medical care for me, but our pleas were often dismissed. They told us we had to endure a crisis before any help could be provided. A 2009 report from the National Health Service found that human error and insufficient resources were factors that led mental health professionals to not prioritize my case appropriately.
A joke in Wedding Crashers could have led to a man’s death
In the 2005 comedy movie “Wedding Crashers,” Owen Wilson’s character tricks Rachel McAdams’ Claire by putting eye drops into her fiancé’s (Bradley Cooper) drink, who was portrayed as an obnoxious man. This trick leads to him suffering from severe stomach problems in the film. However, it is important to note that consuming eye drops can have more harmful effects than just stomach trouble. The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that many popular eye drops used for reducing redness contain a chemical called tetrahydrozoline, which narrows blood vessels in the eyes. If ingested, this chemical can cause toxicity, leading to symptoms such as decreased breathing, slow heartbeat, and even coma.
In 2009, Sheriffs in Rowan County, North Carolina took Jaymee Cruz into custody following a report by her fiancé who claimed he saw her contaminate his drink with eye drops. The man, along with their child, had locked themselves in the bathroom and dialed 911 to describe what they had just observed. At first, Cruz denied the allegations but later confessed that she used the eye drops as a means of making her fiancé ill so she could leave the house with their daughter. She additionally disclosed to authorities that she was inspired by the movie “Wedding Crashers.”
Australia’s biggest mass murderer adored Chucky
As a movie enthusiast, I had a peculiar fascination for the character Chucky from the “Child’s Play” series, and I often referenced this iconic killer doll before carrying out the tragic events that made history as Australia’s deadliest mass murder. In an interview with news.com.au, my former girlfriend, Jenetta Hoani, shared that one of my favorite phrases was “Don’t mess with the Chucky,” a line from “Child’s Play 3.” She added that I would get worked up when saying it, thinking it was incredibly cool.
In a tragic event that occurred on April 28, 1996, in Port Arthur, Australia, an individual identified as Bryant, who battled with aggressive tendencies and cognitive impairments, resorted to semi-automatic firearms to take the lives of 35 people. Bryant was subsequently apprehended by law enforcement officials the day after the incident, and he was sentenced to serve 35 life terms without any prospect of parole. This devastating loss of life and the utilization of powerful weapons sparked a response from the Australian government, leading them to implement stricter regulations on private gun ownership.
For those who have been affected emotionally by acts of mass violence or are currently struggling with emotional distress due to such events, the Disaster Distress Helpline is available for support. You can reach them by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting them.
Two teens copied Natural Born Killers’ murder spree
1995 saw a pair of teenagers from Oklahoma embarking on a lethal cross-state journey, sparked by their repeated viewing of Oliver Stone’s “Natural Born Killers.” Sarah Edmondson and Benjamin Darras spent their March 5 evening at Edmondson’s family cabin, consuming LSD and repeatedly watching the movie. The ensuing day marked the beginning of a road trip that ended in tragedy. On March 7, they arrived in Hernando, Mississippi, where Darras fatally shot cotton mill manager William Savage with a gun taken from their cabin. They then continued to Ponchatoula, Louisiana, where Edmondson shot convenience store clerk Patsy Byers, leaving her paralyzed. Their arrests occurred in early June upon their return to Oklahoma.
Edmondson, known as the “Oklahoma Kennedy” from a political family, reportedly told officials that she feared Darras and believed he was fixated on reenacting the killings depicted in “Natural Born Killers.” She was indicted for second-degree murder and armed robbery, serving 11 years of a 30-year term before being granted parole in 2010. In contrast, Darras received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. A lawsuit filed by Byers in 2002, claiming that Warner Bros., Oliver Stone, and other production entities were responsible for inciting violence, was ultimately dismissed.
Saw sparked two very different crimes
Two groups of teenagers, each pair, took inspiration from the original “Saw” movie for completely contrasting ideas: One devised a harmful and cruel plan, while another concocted a scheme that could have been fatal. Fortunately, the deadly plot, detailing the torment and killing of three individuals, was thwarted by the mother of one of the suspects. However, the mischievous idea – a prank call mimicking Jigsaw’s terrifying messages to his victims – led to a woman’s hospitalization.
2007 saw an incident where Beverly Dickson, a resident of Tennessee, received a distressing phone message. The caller claimed that one of Dickson’s friends was trapped in her house, surrounded by harmful gas. If not freed with a key, the house would fill completely. This message led to Dickson suffering a stroke. Upon investigation, police found that the call originated from two 13-year-old girls who had been playing pranks the previous night by leaving misleading messages. Both girls were charged for their harassment.
In 2009, a situation unfolded in Salt Lake City where two teenage boys conspired to kidnap, torture, and ultimately murder two middle school students and a school officer. Their plot was overheard by one of the boys’ mothers who alerted the police. It was later revealed, according to court documents reviewed by ABC News, that these boys admitted their plan was inspired by the initial “Saw” movie, and they intended to target individuals who had caused harm to others.
The Collector inspired The Butcher of Kansas City
In 1965, the movie “The Collector” – a film that garnered an Oscar nomination for its suspenseful plotline – was released. The lead role was played by Terence Stamp, who portrayed a solitary individual who abducted a young woman (Samantha Eggar) with the intention of making her fall in love with him. This film held a significant influence over Robert Berdella, a man infamously known as “The Butcher of Kansas City.” He was given this nickname due to his kidnapping, tormenting, and murder of several young men, whose dismembered bodies were later found. After the escape of one abduction victim in 1988, Berdella was apprehended by authorities. During interrogation, he admitted that seeing “The Collector” had sparked his criminal tendencies. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole but tragically passed away from a heart attack in 1992, only a few years into his sentence.
In other locations, the novel by John Fowles titled “The Collector” served as a source of inspiration for Leonard Lake, a man who committed a series of kidnappings, sexual assaults, and murders in California during the 1980s. Together with his partner Charles Ng, Lake would often record their victims in a hidden bunker constructed within a woodland cabin before taking their lives. Lake referred to his crimes as “Operation Miranda” – a term borrowed from the female lead character of “The Collector.” After his arrest, Lake chose suicide by ingesting cyanide, while Ng currently resides on death row in California.
One man carried out a real-life four-day Purge
Back in 2016, I found myself standing before a court after a chaotic four-day spree that left me facing 17 charges. At just 19 years old, I was charged with three murders and two robberies leading to severe injuries, all of which were part of my turbulent journey.
Law enforcement secured a warrant to scrutinize Cruz’s phone contents, uncovering a text that read, “I Purge every night now… since I am dying, someone else has to.” Despite efforts by prosecutors to impose the death penalty on Cruz, he evaded this sentence by pleading guilty and received a life imprisonment without the chance of parole. A man named Elijah Brooks, who stole the vehicle used during the crime spree, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Another co-conspirator, Steven Clark, was given a 16-year sentence for his role in one of Cruz’s robberies.
A mother killed her daughter after watching The Exorcist
On February 22, 1980, a babysitter contacted the police in Wichita Falls, Texas, reporting that the 4-year-old girl she was caring for had passed away. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the girl, Khonji Wilson, was found in a car with seven stab wounds. Remarkably, her heart was missing and was found inside the vehicle wrapped in a washcloth. The police later searched the home of the girl’s mother, Patricia Frazier, and uncovered a blood-stained mattress and the knife believed to have been used in the murder.
As a gamer, I can relate to the struggle Frazier faced. Having battled mental health issues myself, I found myself in a similar predicament where reality blurred with fiction. Like when I watched “The Exorcist” and started questioning if supernatural forces were influencing me, just as Frazzer believed about her daughter. The line between game and life became indistinct for her, leading to an unimaginable tragedy. As Dr. Leon Morris testified, my actions too might have been driven by delusions born out of this blurring of lines.
In late 1980, during Frazier’s trial, her defense team aimed to prove her client not guilty due to insanity. However, the jury couldn’t come to a decision in the first trial. A second trial followed in 1981, which led to Frazier being found not guilty because of her mental condition. A hearing was mandated by Judge Keith Nelson to assess if Frazier needed institutionalization, but instead, she was handed over to the care of her mother.
Should you, or someone else, find yourself in a situation that hints at child abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. You can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453), or alternatively, you can use their live chat services.
Warlock inspired a sickening crime in Canada
In 1995, teenager Sandy Charles from Saskatoon tragically took the life of seven-year-old Johnathan Thimpsen following an intense fascination with the 1989 horror-fantasy film “Warlock.” The movie centers around a witch hunter attempting to prevent a son of Satan from causing global destruction. After watching this film approximately ten times, as confirmed by his mother after the crime, Charles was influenced by the belief that consuming the boiled fat of a virgin would grant flight. Alongside an unnamed eight-year-old accomplice, they coaxed Thimpsen into a secluded area in La Ronge, where he met a violent end, being both stabbed and bludgeoned to death. Subsequently, it was reported that Charles removed strips of flesh from Thimpsen’s body and prepared them for consumption.
In light of the gruesome incident reported in 2013, Global News Canada confirmed that “Charles has been confined to psychiatric facilities since being declared not guilty by reason of insanity for his actions.” The Los Angeles Times reported that during the trial, it was established that Charles did not actually consume Thimpsen’s flesh. In an interview with authorities, he explained, “I just wanted to maintain my current state.” This shocking crime resonated deeply within Canada, sparking calls for greater control over violent content in movies and television. The Toronto Globe and Mail cautioned parents that exposure to such violent media could potentially trigger aggressive behavior in vulnerable children.
Fear of a Jason imitator terrified an entire town
1988 was the year I sent chills down the spine of a small town in western Massachusetts. I was the main suspect in the gruesome murder of Sharon Gregory, an 18-year-old girl found stabbed to death in her home in Greenfield. The police zeroed in on me after speaking with Gregory’s friends and neighbors who shared some troubling details about my past. It seemed I had a peculiar fascination with horror films, as this video store clerk put it, “He only rented the gruesome stuff, the more gory, the better.”
It appears that Branch was allegedly the focus of a psychological evaluation penned by Gregory, who was a student majoring in psychology at the time. As per David McCarthy, the Greenfield Police Chief, obtaining this report was one of Branch’s motivations, but he also had an urge to fulfill his dark fantasy related to horror. McCarthy explained that Branch seemed deeply connected with Jason and felt compelled to complete the story in his own emotional journey. (via UPI)
By the time the police stepped up their efforts to find Branch, he had vanished without a trace. His vehicle was found deserted in a forested region, containing signs of blood, but there was no sign of him. Greenfield effectively went into an informal lockdown as the manhunt proved unsuccessful in locating him. The town decided to cancel its annual Halloween celebration and urged parents to keep their children indoors after dark. In late November 1988, Branch’s lifeless body was discovered hanging from a belt in a wooded area. His death was officially declared a suicide.
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2024-08-14 14:31