Baxter

Baxter’s not exactly a household name, but if you’re even remotely into horror, you’ve seen the guy’s work. Maniac (2012)? That’s a fever dream of a slasher flick—Elijah Wood playing a mannequin-obsessed psycho with a POV camera strapped to his head, and Baxter’s effects are what make folks squirm in their seats. The blood, the realism, the sheer yikes factor—totally him. The Hills Have Eyes (2006) is another wild ride. Seriously, if you watched that and didn’t flinch at least once, you’re probably lying. The mutants in the desert, the gore, the practical effects that look way too real? Baxter’s fingerprints are all over it. Then there’s Horns (2013), which, yeah, stars Daniel Radcliffe—Harry Potter, but angry, with devil horns. It’s not your typical horror, more of a dark fantasy with some wickedly clever creature work and makeup. Baxter’s got this knack for blending the grotesque with something almost beautiful, which is kinda rare in the genre. You can tell he’s not just throwing buckets of fake blood around; the dude cares about the art of the scare. His style is gritty but creative, and he’s got a sense for what’ll haunt you after the credits roll. He’s not out here chasing Oscars or anything, but among horror fans, he’s low-key a legend. The stuff he’s helped put on screen sticks with you—sometimes in a good way, sometimes not so much, but hey, that’s horror for you.