10 Elden Ring Boss Designs that Look Like Famous Movie Antagonists

I’ve noticed that so many games seem to take inspiration from FromSoftware titles – it’s awesome to see! But it’s also cool to think about all the things they get inspired by, all the games and stories that shaped their unique style. They’ve definitely built on a lot over the years.

The influence of manga like Berserk and interactive games like The Legend of Zelda on the Soulsborne style is clear, and this extends to movies as well.

Over the past twenty years, the Japanese developer’s work has been shaped by a surprising number of films. Looking at those movies can help us better understand the reasons behind their creative choices and the overall style of their games.

I’ve put together a list of ten Elden Ring boss designs that are strikingly similar to famous movie villains – it’s a fun way to look at FromSoftware’s incredible work from a different angle, so I invite you to check it out!

10. Scadutree Avatar

Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors

FromSoftware is known for transforming almost anything—chests, statues, even dogs—into monstrous creatures. However, the design of the Scadutree Avatar in Shadow of the Erdtree clearly draws inspiration from Audrey II, the man-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors.

Okay, so this dark sunflower villain is clearly inspired by that other famous alien plant monster – you know, the one that eats people! While this sunflower has its own unique look and the plants it uses are a little different, you can totally see where the creators got the idea. It’s like, the original carnivorous plant set the standard, and this sunflower is building on that, even though it’s got its own spin.

The connection between them is mainly based on their shared evil, but that’s actually quite significant when you consider how rarely we see truly malicious and powerful plants portrayed in movies, TV, and other forms of entertainment.

I’m convinced we need more villains who control or are connected to twisted, corrupted plants. There’s something especially compelling about seeing a symbol of life turned against us.

9. Godrick the Grafted

Frankenstein’s Monster from Frankenstein (1931)

Body horror often features unsettling grafts and modifications, a trope more common in movies than video games. However, the character Godrick the Grafted is a particularly striking and memorable take on the classic Frankenstein’s Monster.

It’s interesting how the way these things look doesn’t quite match what they’re actually about. But if you really think about it, both of them are clearly trying to express the same big ideas – the quest for something lasting, ultimate power, and escaping the limits of our physical bodies, and they do that by focusing on the body itself. You can really feel that symmetry when you consider that.

Ultimately, their desires are rooted in a shared sadness. These individuals have fragile inner strengths and, instead of accepting and working through their limitations, they turn to harmful actions to get what they want, lacking the inner strength to achieve it through effort alone.

Despite their very different appearances – one a man with a dragon’s head for an arm, the other a scientist and his monster – Godrick and Victor Frankenstein share striking similarities. Both are haunted by issues with fatherhood and driven by a desire to conquer death.

8. Mohg, Lord of Blood

Lord of Darkness from Legend

Red, horned figures frequently appear as villains in movies, a tradition rooted in their historical connection to evil—going back to biblical times. However, the resemblance between Mohg, Lord of Blood, and the Lord of Darkness from Legend is striking.

They look remarkably alike, primarily because of their shared physical traits. Both creatures are powerfully built and large, sporting noticeable horns and a color scheme that shifts between red and black, making the connection obvious.

However, they’re both villains facing comparable situations: each wants to destroy the goodness in their world and take control, but they have different methods – one uses darkness, and the other relies on violence.

If you could outfit the Lord of Darkness with a robe, or take one from Mohg, he’d likely become as powerful and influential as Godfrey and Marika’s children—though his name wouldn’t start with the letter ‘M’.

7. Messmer the Impaler

Count Dracula from Bram Stoker’s Dracula

It’s nearly impossible to hear the word “impaler” without thinking of Dracula, and the same goes for seeing Messmer in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.

The Count has been played in many movies, but the version in Bram Stoker’s Dracula feels the most accurate to me. This is largely because both versions share a similar look – pale skin set off by bright red clothes.

Both characters were left by their parents and went on to commit horrific acts of violence, primarily through stabbing. Though their reasons for doing so are different, they are ultimately both deeply sad and pitiable figures.

Vlad III, the historical figure often associated with the legend of Dracula, has inspired many fictional characters. While Messmer isn’t a vampire and doesn’t share a similar backstory, the connection to Vlad III’s influence is clear.

6. Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy

The Thing from The Thing (1982)

Some entities possess a terrifying power – a single look can shatter even the strongest minds. This is exactly the kind of dread evoked by Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy, and The Thing.

Rykard and The Thing have a lot in common with Mohg and the Lord of Darkness, going beyond just how they look. Both Rykard and The Thing want to take over their worlds, and they both get stronger by absorbing other living creatures.

These creatures have strangely shaped faces that don’t quite match the rest of their bodies. They try to appear familiar, hoping to confuse those they hunt, but their overwhelming hunger is impossible to conceal.

Rykard, like many villains who are physically changed by a forced connection with another being, clearly takes inspiration from John Carpenter’s work in Elden Ring. This influence is a major reason why his character design is so memorable.

5. Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader

Nazgûl from The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is a huge inspiration for many fantasy stories, and the video game Elden Ring is no different. The game frequently references Tolkien’s world, for example, by drawing inspiration for the Black Knife enemies from the terrifying Nazgûl.

Both sets of characters share a striking visual similarity to figures in film: they all wear dark clothes and hooded cloaks that obscure their faces.

I’ve been thinking about these enemies, and while the Night’s Cavalry could fit this role, it’s really the warriors working with Ranni that feel most connected. It’s like they’re a group totally devoted to a powerful being, and they’re the ones pulling the strings, deciding what happens to the world – it’s a really striking parallel!

These figures are silent, dangerous, and frightening to look at. They deliver destruction on command, and their skills are so transferable they could easily work for any organization without seeming unusual.

4. Elemer of the Briar

Darth Vader from Star Wars

It’s natural to question how Darth Vader, from the world of Star Wars, could have impacted Elemer of the Briar, a character from medieval fantasy. However, the connection becomes clear once you consider the underlying themes, rather than just the different settings.

Both fighters are skilled swordsmen who use telekinesis to control their blades. You can tell when they’re attacking because their weapons have a noticeable red glow that’s visible from a distance.

These creatures are defined by their distinctive armor, which hints at their beginnings, and their unsettling helmets, which suggest a complete lack of human qualities. Their perpetually aggressive postures naturally inspire fear in anyone who sees them.

If someone suggests that the character Elemer is essentially a medieval take on Darth Vader, it’s hard to disagree. I’d love to ask Hidetaka Miyazaki directly if I ever get the chance, just to confirm what already seems pretty clear.

3. Bayle the Dread

Balrog from The Lord of the Rings

It’s clear FromSoftware continues to be inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and they frequently feature enemies with horns and a demonic look. This is especially noticeable with the character Bayle the Dread, who strongly resembles the Balrog from Tolkien’s lore.

The world of The Lord of the Rings has influenced Elden Ring once more, particularly in the design of a new dragon appearing in the upcoming DLC. This dragon breathes lightning and fire, and seems to intensely hate everything it encounters.

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Bayle and Balrog share striking similarities – from their appearances and color schemes to their consistently violent actions. These parallels alone are enough to explain why they both appear on this list.

These beings share a single-minded focus on causing destruction, are constantly engulfed in flames, and possess a chillingly murderous intent. Both Gandalf and Igon opposed them and ultimately triumphed, establishing a clear connection between the two conflicts.

2. Mimic Tear

T-1000 from Terminator 2: Judgment Day

While Elden Ring has generally drawn inspiration from films in terms of overall themes, I was surprised to realize how clearly the Mimic Tear enemy resembles the T-1000 from the movie Terminator. It’s a connection that’s both obvious and cleverly hidden.

Despite being a relatively small challenge in the game, this enemy is remarkably similar to the villain from Terminator 2: Judgment Day. It perfectly copies the character’s signature silver appearance and shape-shifting abilities, even mimicking the clothes and weapons of those it fights.

These creatures can change their bodies to grow incredibly sharp blades, and they move with a cold, automatic precision. It’s easy to imagine FromSoftware drew inspiration from the movie The Terminator when creating this boss.

It wasn’t my initial thought when I first fought the Mimic Tear, but now that I’ve realized the connection, I doubt I’ll ever look at either character in the same light again.

1. Dragonlord Placidusax

Ghidorah from Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster

Even with everything mentioned, I don’t believe any other connection in Elden Ring is as strong as the one between Dragonlord Placidusax and Ghidorah from Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster. It feels almost like a direct adaptation.

The simple fact that these creatures are massive, three-headed dragons who command lightning and storms—qualities unlike anything else you see in popular fiction—immediately explains their importance.

Considering that both Placidusax and Ghidorah are incredibly ancient beings who ruled before the current order of their worlds, and that they both have strange connections to time, the similarities become much clearer.

The two options are strikingly similar – they look almost identical, even though they’re presented in different ways. Because of this, I’m confident they are the closest match among all the choices.

2026-04-26 15:44