Alpha Ghosts in Horror Films
I'm creating this weird list out of an observation I've had regarding the sub-genre of ghosts hauntings in horror films. I've noticed in some of these films, whenever there's more than one spectral presence, there always seems to be an alpha-type of ghostly figure that not only looms over the people being haunted but also has dominion over other spirits as well. This figure is what I refer to as an' "Alpha-ghost." For this list, the house or structure that's being haunted is dealing with a multiple haunting and has an alpha ghost or a head ghost that seems to be controlling the scenes and the scares.
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- DirectorTobe HooperStarsJoBeth WilliamsHeather O'RourkeCraig T. NelsonA family's home becomes the center of paranormal activity that opens a doorway to the "other side." With help, they must cross over to get their daughter back.When Poltergeist came out, we thought all the spirits that were haunting the Freeling family were malevolent, controlling spirits. Later, when the youngest member of the family is taken, we learn that there's an alpha spirit that won't allow the child to be returned to her family once she's been taken. The family discovers that in order to get their daughter back, they must deal with that presence in order to see their child again.
- DirectorBrian GibsonStarsJoBeth WilliamsCraig T. NelsonHeather O'RourkeThe Freeling family have a new house, but their troubles with supernatural forces don't seem to be over.With the release of Poltergeist 2, we're told the backstory about how the events of the first film came to be and why. We learn that the alpha ghost comes in the form of a cult leader. He led his parishioners to their deaths and the reason he haunts the Freeling family is for the youngest member, Carol Ann. He tries to keep her away from her family and controls his religious flock. We also learn that he controls everything that occurs in the narrative. One scene in the film that illustrates this point is when he comes to visit the Freelings.
- DirectorJohn HoughStarsRoddy McDowallGayle HunnicuttPamela FranklinA physicist, his wife and two mediums are hired to investigate the Belasco House, where 27 guests had inexplicably died in 1927, along with most of a team of paranormal investigators that was sent in the early 1950s.Before the miniseries Rose Red, this film claimed the house in, "The Legend of Hell House," is the, "Mount Rushmore of Haunted Houses." In the beginning, we're lead to believe there's multiple spirits that are haunting in the house. As the story progresses, we learn that there's an alpha spirit that's controlling everything that's occurring in the house, to include other spirits. This alpha ghost can even possesses a black cat as well as other members in the house.
- StarsNancy TravisMatt KeeslarKimberly J. BrownA college professor and a team of psychics investigate an old abandoned house at the request of the man who has inherited it. They stay in the mansion, but unleash a terrifying force that threatens to destroy them all.When Stephen King decided to bring Rose Red to the small screen, it seemed he wanted to remake, "The Shining." In Rose Red, which is also described as, "The Mount Rushmore of Haunted Houses," (Legend of Hell House) we learn that the previous owner of the mansion is the alpha spirit here. Ellen Rimbour is the catalyst for everything that's happening not only to the guests trapped inside the house but she's also physically changing the house as well. However, what's interesting about Rose Red is the grounds were said to be haunted while the house was being built. But we're also being led to believe that once the house "takes" Ellen, she becomes the alpha and its her spirit that's haunting the house.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsLiam NeesonCatherine Zeta-JonesOwen WilsonDr Marrow enlists Theo, Luke and Nell for a study of sleep disorders at the Hill House. As soon as the terrifying truth about the mansion is revealed, everyone is found fighting for their lives.This remake does something that original never seems to do...it gives us an alpha ghost. In this version, we learn that Hugh Crane, the original owner of the house, is not only haunting the house but he's also an alpha ghost who controls everything that occurs in the house and the narrative. While there are other spirits lurking in the house, primarily children that Crane mistreated in life, he also controls and mistreats them in death, just as he did in life.
- DirectorPeter CornwellStarsVirginia MadsenMartin DonovanElias KoteasAfter a family is forced to relocate for their son's health, they begin experiencing supernatural behavior in their new home, and uncover a sinister history.This weird film claims to be based on a real-life incident involving a young man who is fighting for his life due to a terminal cancer diagnosis. He begins to be the subject of paranormal activity and behavior, which can't be explained. We later learn the house was once a mortuary and the previous owner was fascinated with the occult. That previous owner is now an alpha ghost who is still lurking about the property along with souls of the dead he tried to control in life.
- DirectorJeffrey FineTom NaughtonStarsSuzi BylesAnthony D. CallGary FlaskegaardDocumentary that inspired "A Haunting in Conneticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia".As with the Haunting in Connecticut, this film also claims its based on a true story. Here, its alpha ghost was a slaver in life and it spends it's afterlife controlling the spirits of the former slaves who once lived in the area.
- DirectorColin MinihanStuart OrtizThe Vicious BrothersStarsBenjamin WilkinsonSean RogersonAshleigh GryzkoFor their ghost hunting reality show, a production crew locks themselves inside an abandoned mental hospital that's supposedly haunted - and it might prove to be all too true.This found footage film takes place in a former mental asylum. The alpha ghost here is a medical doctor who's interests in the occult in life is the reason for the haunting. The doctor controls all the spirits of his former patients that still haunt the hospital. The doctor is so powerful that he even controls time and space. We learn just how powerful he is in the sequel to this film.
- DirectorJohn PoliquinStarsRichard HarmonShawn C. PhillipsJennica FultonA film student who is obsessed with the movie Grave Encounters sets out with his friends to visit the psychiatric hospital depicted in the original film.In this film, we learn the good doctor has no bounds or limits to what he can do. While he's still controlling the hospital and all its ghostly inhabitants, the doctor is also trying to lure new victims to the hospital. In these two films, the doctor controls everything.
- DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonRose ByrneTy SimpkinsA family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.Insidious has a really good plot twist and ending. Our alpha spirit here wants to control someone due to a special gift they have. The alpha spirit figures if it can control this person, their powers will become make the alpha ghost invincible. In addition, the spirit appears to control all the actions and other spirits we see in this film. This alpha spirit also has a hidden agenda. I won't spoil that plus the ending of this film.
- DirectorAlejandro AmenábarStarsNicole KidmanChristopher EcclestonFionnula FlanaganIn 1945, immediately following the end of Second World War, a woman who lives with her two photosensitive children on her darkened old family estate in the Channel Islands becomes convinced that the home is haunted.This sad ghost story finds that the alpha ghost here isn't a malevolent spirit like we've seen in the other films on this list. Our alpha ghost here doesn't really mean to be evil. I would elaborate more on this but I won't because this film has a really good surprise ending.