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| Pyramid Head | |
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| Silent Hill character | |
 Pyramid Head as he appears inSilent Hill 2 | |
| First appearance | Silent Hill 2 (2001) |
| Designed by | Masahiro Ito |
| Portrayed by | Roberto Campanella (2006 film,Revelation) Robert Strange (Return to Silent Hill) |
Pyramid Head, also known as "Red Pyramid Thing" (レッドピラミッドシング, Reddo Piramiddo Shingu), "Red Triangle Head" (赤い三角頭,Akai Sankakutō)[1] or "Triangle Head" (三角頭,Sankakutō), is acharacter from theSilent Hill series, asurvival horror video game series created by Japanese companyKonami.
Introduced in the 2001 installmentSilent Hill 2, he is a type of monster that serves as the secondary antagonist, stalkingJames Sunderland, the primaryplayer character, who comes to the town of Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, Mary. TheSilent Hill series, particularly the second installment, frequently utilizes psychology and symbolism; Pyramid Head represents James's wish to be punished for Mary's death.Masahiro Ito, the designer ofSilent Hill 2's monsters, created the character because he wanted "a monster with a hidden face". Known for his large triangular helmet that conceals his head, Pyramid Head lacks a voice or a visible face, and his appearance stems from the town's past as a place of execution.
He has since appeared in the 2006 filmSilent Hill as "Red Pyramid", in the 2007 first-person shooterSilent Hill: The Arcade as aboss, and in the sixth installment of the series,Silent Hill: Homecoming, as the "Boogeyman". He has also made an appearance outside of theSilent Hill series as a playable character in the gamesNew International Track & Field,Super Bomberman R, andDead by Daylight. Positively received inSilent Hill 2 for his role as an element of James'psyche, he has been cited by reviewers as an iconic villain of the series and part ofSilent Hill 2's appeal.
Ito wanted to create "a monster with a hidden face", but became unhappy with his designs, which resembled humans wearing masks. He then drew a monster with a pyramid-shaped helmet.[2] According to Ito, the triangle's sharp right and acute angles suggest the possibility of pain.[2] Of the creatures that appear inSilent Hill 2, only Pyramid Head features an "overtly masculine" appearance.[3] He resembles a pale, muscular man covered with a white, blood-soaked robe reminiscent of a butcher'ssmock. He does not speak, but grunts and moans painfully.[3] His most outstanding feature is his large red, triangular helmet.[note 1] His weapons consist of the deadly and heavy Great Knife,[5] which the player can find and use for the rest of the game,[6] and later a spear.[7] As a GermanWorld War IItank enthusiast, Ito was inspired by the lower hull of theKing Tiger heavy tank when designing the edges of the character's helmet; other military vehicles from that region and era informed design elements as well.[8][9]
According to Konami'sLost Memories, his appearance was a variation of the outfits of the executioners from the fictional history of the town. They wore red hoods and ceremonial robes to make themselves similar to Valtiel,[10] a monster who appears inSilent Hill 3.[11] Like Valtiel, Pyramid Head dresses in gloves and stitched cloth and pursues the game's main protagonist.[10] According toSilent Hill 2's character designerTakayoshi Sato, he appears as a "distorted memory of the executioners" and of the town's past as a place of execution.[3][12]
Christophe Gans, the director of the film adaptation ofSilent Hill, suggested that Pyramid Head "was one of the executioners in the original history of the town" and "there is not one particular or exclusive manifestation of him as an entity."[13] However, Ito rejected this suggestion, stating "they really misunderstood Pyramid Head. I designed that only for James."[14] In October 2022, it was revealed that Pyramid Head's executioner background was inspired by characters in the 1995 filmBraveheart.[15]
InSilent Hill 2, after receiving a letter from his deceased wife, Mary, and arriving in the foggy town of Silent Hill to search for her, the game's protagonist and primary player character,James Sunderland, encounters Pyramid Head several times over the course of the game.[16] Pyramid Head, under the new moniker "Bogeyman", makes a significant appearance in 2008 installmentSilent Hill: Homecoming, but his role is limited to non-interactive scenes,[17] appearing only twice to the game's main protagonist Alex Shepherd (once in the Grand Hotel in Silent Hill and, much later, in a church, where he executes Alex's father by splitting him in half).[18][19] His last appearance is in a possible ending to the game: Alex wakes up in a wheelchair as two Pyramid Heads appear, each with part of a helmet, which they use to turn Alex into one of them. After this ending is played, the player obtains the Bogeyman's costume for Alex to wear.[20] Mindful of Pyramid Head's role inSilent Hill 2, the developers chose to include him as "the embodiment of a myth [that] parents started to keep the children out of trouble" and "the accretion of the activities going on in the town of Shepherd’s Glen."[21]
Pyramid Head appears as a boss in the 2007 first-person shooterSilent Hill: The Arcade,[22] as well asSilent Hill: The Escape, but with a composite design with the Butcher, and as asuper-deformed selectable character in the 2008Nintendo DS titleNew International Track & Field, an installment of theTrack & Field series, another spin-offKrazy Kart Racing alongside Robbie the Rabbit, and in 2017'sSuper Bomberman R as Pyramid Bomber, alongsideSimon Belmont from theCastlevania series, andGradius's Vic Viper.[23][24] The 2007 gameSilent Hill: Origins also included a similar monster named "The Butcher",[25][26] whom the protagonist occasionally encounters killing other monsters (unlike other versions of Pyramid Head, the Butcher can and must be fought and killed in combat) and a painting of Pyramid Head is seen in the burning house of Alessa.[27] In the 2012 installmentSilent Hill: Downpour, Pyramid Head makes a cameo appearance in the "Surprise!" ending, along with various other characters from the franchise. Pyramid Head's most recent appearance was in 2012'sSilent Hill: Book of Memories, where he is a monster that can spawn randomly to fight the player. Pyramid Head also appeared as a costume for thePlaystation Home.[28]
Pyramid Head was included as a purchasable killer for the survival horror gameDead by Daylight with the release of the CHAPTER 16:Silent Hill DLC on June 16, 2020. His title is "The Executioner", a nod to his past as the executioner of Silent Hill.[29] Pyramid Head was a boss character in the Silent Hill DLC of Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals, In where he's referred to by his original name of Red Pyramid Thing.[30] Pyramid Head also makes a cameo appearance in thePlayStation 5 gameAstro's Playroom.[31]
"The big change in Red Pyramid for me was not his head as much as his body. In the game, he has a very deformed body almost a hunchback. Instead we decided to make him a tall, powerful character a little like the Warrior God inStargate thatPatrick Tatopoulos created. Why? Because for me there is a little of Anubis [sic], the Egyptian God of Death in the Red Pyramid."
Pyramid Head makes an appearance in the2006 film adaptation ofSilent Hill as "Red Pyramid", and is portrayed by Roberto Campanella. In the film, the psyches of the female characters shaped the character's physical appearance.[13] Gans claimed that replicating the character's head exactly and having the actor move while wearing it proved to be impractical; he noted that, despite the name, Pyramid Head actually wore "a basin" instead of a triangle-shaped helmet.[32] Red Pyramid's sword and helmet were constructed out of lightweight material painted to appear heavy.[33] For the role, Campanella wore a "five-partprosthetic"; it took two-and-a-half to three hours to get him into costume and make-up.[33] His boots had a hidden 15-inch (38 cm) sole which made him just under 7 feet (2.1 m) tall.[33]Patrick Tatopoulos, who worked on the make-up effects and monsters, enjoyed the project of designing the character. According to him, Red Pyramid serves as a symbol of the town's darkness and harbinger of its changed character.[34] Gans considered the monsters of the film "a mockery of human beings", and commented: "The real monsters are the people, the cultists who tortured Alessa. When I approached the film, I knew that it was impossible to represent the monsters as simply beasts that jump on you."[35]
In the 2012 filmSilent Hill: Revelation, the Pyramid Head, once more portrayed by Roberto Campanella,[36] is both a monster and a guardian. More than once, it saves Sharon from the forces of Silent Hill. This is explained by its loyalty to Alessa: since Heather is the good half of Alessa's soul, it sees them as the same being and is thus bound to protect both from harm. Pyramid Head is also seen controlling the carousel where Heather and Alessa face off against each other, then it kills the cult leader Claudia Wolf after the amulet shows her inner, monstrous nature.[37] He also makes an appeareance in the 2026 filmReturn to Silent Hill.[38]
He also makes acameo appearance in the 2008Silent Hill comic bookSinner's Reward, published byIDW Publishing. The writer, Tom Waltz, later said he regretted the cameo, which only functioned asfan service.[39] To him, Pyramid Head is a psychological construct created for James; however, he stated that: "At the same time, I don't think that ruined the comic. Some people really liked it. To some people, Pyramid Head should be in all the stories because they do like him."[39] Additionally, the character was portrayed from October 2 to 31, 2009, in thehaunted attraction Sinister Pointe, based onSilent Hill, inOrange County, California, United States.[40][41] Merchandise featuring Pyramid Head includes action figurines.[42][43]
TheSilent Hill series uses symbolism and psychology; the town of Silent Hill draws upon the psyche of its visitors, ultimately creating an "otherworld," a twisting of reality that manifests delusions and elements of theirsubconscious minds, varying from character to character.[44] Specifically, in the case ofSilent Hill 2's primary player character James Sunderland, the version of the town he explores is influenced by him. Many of the monsters that roam the town symbolize his guilt, wish for punishment, for his wife's three-year-long illness,[44] and cease to exist after James comes to terms with the fact that he killed his wife Mary, partially to end her suffering and partially out of resentment and frustration.[44][45] James knew she had a terminal illness,[46] which has been speculated to be cancer,[47] and he often read medical textbooks, searching for something to help her.[48] During her last days alive, she became physically repulsive as a result of the illness and treated James abusively, ordering him to leave one moment and begging him to comfort her the next.[49] The knowledge of her terminal illness caused her to become angry and to hurt her loved ones, particularly James, and it pained him to visit her in the hospital.[50] Pyramid Head functions as an executioner of Maria, a delusion of James's who strongly resembles Mary.[51] Through Maria's repeated deaths, Pyramid Head reminds James of Mary's death and causes him to experience guilt and suffering.[52][53] His appearance as an executioner stems from a picture that James saw while visiting the town three years ago with Mary.[53]
Pyramid Head's Great Knife is actually one half of a pair of scissors. The developer's intent was for James to obtain the other half of the scissors later in the game, symbolizing Pyramid Head's role as a reflection of his psyche. However Ito did not have enough time to put a second Great Knife in the game. James ultimately obtains the same knife wielded by Pyramid Head.[54][55]
Reviewers have suggested various interpretations. According to Christina González ofThe Escapist, Pyramid Head acts as "judgement personified, a dark butcher," and "James' masochistic delusion" which punishes him for Mary's death.[47] Ken Gagne ofComputerworld suggested that the monster "represents James' anger and guilt."[7] A critic forIGN, Jesse Schedeen, considered Pyramid Head's role throughout theSilent Hill series to be "a manifestation of a person's guilt", commenting: "Pyramid Head is just there to help you serve your penance in the most painful and grotesque way possible."[56]
Critical reaction to Pyramid Head has been favorable for his distinctive appearance and role as an element of James'psyche. Critics cite him as an iconic villain of theSilent Hill series,[57][58][59][60] a favorite among fans,[61] and part of the appeal ofSilent Hill 2.[61][62][63]GameSpot compared Pyramid Head's appearance toLeatherface, the main antagonist ofThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre series ofslasher films, and found him the most terrifying monster inSilent Hill 2.[64]Computerworld named Pyramid Head one of the most terrifying villains in video game history.[7]GamesRadar interpreted the scene in which he kills the two other monsters as rape and called it unsettling, since the subject of rape is not often tackled in video games.[65] AnotherGamesRadar journalist disliked the final battle with Pyramid Head, deeming it anticlimactic in comparison with his role throughout the rest of the game.[6]Red Bull stated Pyramid Head is "the stuff of nightmares in video games, quite literally. Pyramid Head has terrorized game audiences and fans of the Silent Hill franchise for years."[66]Empire described him as one of the greatest video game characters, commenting that "Stalking the claustrophobic corridors of the vacant town, he remains one of the few masculine entities in the series and one of the most shocking monstrosities in gaming history."[67]Den of Geek noted the character's popularity and said that "before we knew exactly what Pyramid Head was, the mere sight of the monster triggered something inside of us that overcome our cynicism and defenses. He intrigued us, he repulsed us, but he made us feel something that so many other monsters can’t make us feel. It’s easy to get caught up in the cynicism of how marketing and products often turn characters into caricatures. Yet, that process has to start with the creation of something truly incredible. In his original form, Pyramid Head was most certainly that."[68]
Magazines have also called him one of the scariest[69][70][71] and best video game villains.[72][61][73][74]GamesRadar has praised Pyramid Head's role as an antagonist and described him as one of the best villains in video game history.[75] In a 2009 retrospective on thesurvival horror genre,IGN noted thatSilent Hill 2 incorporated "a 'stalker' element similar toClock Tower andResident Evil 3 and wrote: "To this day, Pyramid Head is remembered as one of gaming's most frightening villains."[76]IGN also described Pyramid Head as one of their favorite video game monsters of all time, stating that "Pyramid Head is no stranger toIGN Stars lately, having shown up in several recent character countdowns. There's just something about Halloween that makes us go all gushy for this horrific monster."[77]
His appearances outsideSilent Hill 2 have received mixed critical reaction. Critics generally agreed that Pyramid Head's appearance inHomecoming struck them asfan service, though Chris Hudak ofGameRevolution called it "damned effectively-employed."[78][79][80] Masahiro Ito commented that Pyramid Head was designed specifically for James' story inSilent Hill 2, and that, if he were to make anotherSilent Hill game, he would either not use Pyramid Head again or kill him off entirely in the opening scene.[81] Film critics commented on his role in the film adaption, with several finding the character disturbing.[82][83]DVD Reviews praised Campanella's portrayal of Pyramid Head and another monster, writing: "These are without a doubt some of the most striking bogeymen that I have seen on screen in a long time."[84] His appearance inNew International Track & Field received mixed critical reaction.GameDaily disliked it, finding it awkward that a character like Pyramid Head was competing in sporting events with characters likeFrogger andSparkster,[23] whileThe Escapist called it enjoyable and "hilarious".[85]
On-screen text: Massive weapon wielded by Pyramid Head. Hard to use, but lethal.
James: You're not friends with that red pyramid thing, are you? /Eddie: Red pyramid thing? I don't know what yer talkin' about. Honest.
James: Forgive me... /Mary: I told you that I wanted to die, James. I wanted the pain to end. /James: That's why I did it, honey. I just couldn't watch you suffer. No! That's not true... You also said that you didn't want to die. The truth is I hated you. I wanted you out of the way. I wanted my life back.... /Mary: James... if that were true, then why do you look so sad?
James: Mary's going to die...? You... you must be joking! /Doctor: I'm very sorry. [...] As her doctor, I promise that I'll do what I can. But... there's still no effective treatment for her condition. /James: How long does she have? /Doctor: I'm afraid I'm not sure. 3 years at most... Perhaps 6 months...
James: I've already read enough medical books. None of them ever did any good.
Mary: Between the disease and the drugs, I look like a monster. Well what are you looking at? Get the hell out of here. Leave me alone already! [...] Are you still here? I told you to go! Are you deaf?! Don't come back! James... Wait... Please, don't go... Stay with me. Don't leave me alone. I didn't mean what I said. Please, James... Tell me I'll be okay. Tell me I'm not going to die. Help me...
Mary's letter: Whenever you come see me, I can tell how hard it is on you...I don't know if you hate me or pity me... Or maybe I just disgust you... I'm sorry about that. When I first learned that I was going to die, I just didn't want to accept it. I was so angry all the time and I struck out at everyone I loved most. Especially you, James.
James: Maria's dead. I couldn't protect her. Once again, I couldn't do anything to help. [...] Mary... What... What should I do? Are you... really waiting somewhere for me? Or is this your way of taking...
Besides, Silent Hill 2 provided the series with its iconic villain, Pyramid Head, a figure designed to haunt both monsters and characters alike.
...Silent Hill 2 is most memorable for its introduction of iconic videogame character Pyramid Head.
The emotionally-loaded subject of rape has never really been dealt with in games before or since Konami's survival horror....Still, even though it's a hugely disquieting moment, there's no question it further adds to Pyramid Head's mystique as one of the most terrifying video game villains ever.
...even Pyramid Head's appearances feel more like fan service (albeit damned effectively-employed fan service).
Pyramid Head also makes his contractual appearance for no better reason than fan service.
...even the few sequences where Pyramid Head pops up are more like brief guest appearances for fans, although he does have a great scene towards the end of the game.
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