The things that scare you don’t always go hand-in-hand with the horror genre. When you’re a young ‘un with limited access to 18 or R certificate films, you take your scares as they come, and The Dark Crystal has the potential to scared the viewer witless.

Directed by Frank Oz and Jim Henson, our hero Jen embarks on a mission to retrieve a fragment of a magical crystal to ensure the survival of his world. Sounds easy right? It would be, if it wasn’t for the evil, nay, diabolical Skeksis standing in his way. All beady eyes and scheming stares, these giant walking vultures in ornate, garish dressing gowns skulked around ready to pick the bones of those that challenged their nefarious power play. Even if it was their own.

How this film was only rated PG was always baffling; Henson breathed life into these wretched puppets. Horrific to look at though they were, it was the sound that was the most sickening, especially from the cowardly Chamberlain. Not a primal scream or a guttural growl, but instead a high-pitched, murmuring, self-congratulatory “Mmmm.” Like an old lady hiding razor blades in childrens’ toffee apples.

With Netflix preparing to unleash The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance TV series, this viewer will be watching with a twisted interest. But from behind a pillow.

Which films scared the bejesus out of you? Let us know in the comments below.

RS