Pyramid Head
From Silent Hill Wiki
The Bogeyman
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Wood Side Apartments
Blue Creek Apartments
Brookhaven Hospital
Labyrinth
Lakeview Hotel
The Grand Hotel
Church of the Holy Way
Alchemilla Hospital
Midwich Elementary School (film)
Spear
Pyramid Head (also known as the Red Pyramid Thing) is the name James Sunderland uses in reference to a monster who is arguably the main antagonist of Silent Hill 2. Pyramid Head's incarnation in Silent Hill: Homecoming is known as The Bogeyman.
Across the series he is usually portrayed as, at his most basic, a violent monster. A deeper meaning given to him, however, sees him as a kind of punisher or executioner. He's typically manifested by those who feel an extreme amount of guilt or have an overwhelming desire for punishment. His acts of violence are not aimed solely at humans, as he has also wrought harm against the other creatures that inhabit Silent Hill. He is one of the most recognizable characters in the series.
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Development
Masahiro Ito, the monster designer of Silent Hill 2, was looking for a monster with a hidden face to make it less human and more disturbing. His first idea was a monster with a mask, but he realized that it was nothing more than a human wearing a mask. He then took the concept further, giving the monster a head in the shape of a triangle (with sharp right angles and acute edges that suggest the possibility of pain). The triangle shape also helped explain the role of Pyramid Head in the game.
Characteristics
Pyramid Head's appearance is that of a well-built human male. He bears his helmet, which is always obscuring his face completely, and typically is seen wielding his famed weapon: the Great Knife. He never speaks but muffled noises can be heard from beneath his helmet on two occasions. He is strong in the extreme and can lift a full grown man off the ground with one hand. In Silent Hill 2, his first appearance, he dons a white robe-like outfit with no sleeves, and what appears to be rubber gloves with fused fingers. His iconic pyramid-shaped helmet appears to be a rusty hunk of metal grafted onto his head, with a single hole drilled into it. A tentacle or tongue-like appendage can snake out of this hole and impale a creature he has grappled.
Pyramid Head in Silent Hill: Homecoming takes a nod to his movie incarnation, with a more angular, jagged helmet with grating and bolts attached. His robes do not cover his chest and instead drop down more, obscuring his legs completely, and are held up by numerous belts. Whereas in Silent Hill 2 he was only marginally taller than James, he towers over the protagonist, Alex Shepherd. He retains his lumbering movements, though the sexual characteristics and bouts of twitching are absent in this incarnation.
Appearances
Silent Hill 2
With Silent Hill 2 being his most in-depth appearance, Pyramid Head displays a rather wide array of violent tendencies and almost inhuman movements and behavior. When dragging his Great Knife behind him, he moves in an extremely jerky and lumbering fashion, and is prone to bouts of convulsing, twitching movements. Several times, Pyramid Head can be seen assaulting, perhaps sexually, various monsters.
Pyramid Head makes his first appearance in Silent Hill 2, in the Wood Side Apartments, standing behind a wall of bars, which separates him from James Sunderland, and bearing a red aura. He does not move or react to James in any way, but his presence does cause the radio to emit static. He is encountered again in the apartments, this time performing an act of implied sexual abuse on two Mannequin monsters.
In the stairwell of the Blue Creek Apartments, he is carrying his signature weapon, the Great Knife, an oversized blade not dissimilar in design to Angela Orosco’s knife (despite obvious size differences). During this encounter, Pyramid Head is seen killing a Lying Figure and immediately attacks James when he sees him, but leaves when a siren is blared.
Pyramid Head makes his next appearance on the roof of Brookhaven Hospital, in which he seemingly appears from nowhere and pushes James through a weak fence. The next time he is seen, he has abandoned his knife in favor of a spear. He chases Maria and James through a fabricated underground corridor beneath the hospital, although his attacks are focused solely on Maria. James reaches the end of the hallway unscathed, but Maria is impaled by Pyramid Head’s spear.
Pyramid Head can be found patrolling two areas of the Labyrinth. Although he will attack James, he does not pursue him. He makes his final appearance in the Lakeview Hotel, along with a second Pyramid Head. They kill Maria one last time before coming down to James' level and initiating combat. Like the fight in the apartment stairwell, this fight ends after a period of time. After the elapsed time, the Pyramid Heads impale themselves with their own spears, since they are no longer needed. Both of them hold an egg which James needs to continue.
Pyramid Head also allows James access to previously unreachable areas in two occasions: when he drains the water in the apartment stairwell, and when he pushes James off the roof at Brookhaven and into the Special Treatment Area. This has led to the belief that Pyramid Head's goal is to lead him toward accepting the truth. As the other characters in Silent Hill 2 show a pronounced dualism in their behavior, so too does James, who wants to both suppress the memory of his crime and face up to it.
Silent Hill: The Arcade
Pyramid Head is also featured as a boss in Silent Hill: The Arcade.
In Silent Hill: The Arcade, Pyramid Head's image is exactly the same as in the Silent Hill movie, except his helmet, which is reminiscent of his Silent Hill 2 incarnation. He is just as strong in the second Silent Hill game, but he can only be dodged if a certain amount of damage is dealt to him before he strikes. His helmet acts as a shield and it is pointless shooting at it, the best place to shoot is just under the helmet or around the rim.
Silent Hill: Homecoming
Pyramid Head, referred to as The Bogeyman here, serves a minor, albeit important, role in Silent Hill: Homecoming. While he retains his namesake's pyramidal helmet and characteristic Great Knife, his appearance seems to be based on the version portrayed in the film, rather than the version that haunted James Sunderland, albeit with a few minor differences; his forearms appear to be soaked in blood, and the helmet is slightly lighter in color than the movie version.
The Bogeyman's role, much like Pyramid Head's was to James, may be the manifested guilt of Alex Shepherd's father, Adam Shepherd. As decreed by a pact with The Order's God, Adam was to choose and sacrifice one of his sons to ensure the prosperous future of Shepherd's Glen.
Only appearing physically twice to Alex, he is first encountered in a cinematic scene in the Grand Hotel in Silent Hill. Seen simply dragging his knife down a hallway, he turns to face Alex, who has hidden himself behind a pile of rubble, turns away, and continues down the hall. Much later, within the Church of the Holy Way, he appears a final time and executes Adam, cutting him in half lengthwise.
It's also assumed that, although unseen, he makes himself known in the game's introductory level, Alchemilla Hospital. His first action is the murder of the doctor who wheels Alex into the Operation Theater. As the player progresses through the hospital, a grinding noise can be heard periodically. Presumably, this is The Bogeyman dragging his Great Knife across the floor. As the first level ends, Alex is riding an elevator, following his brother. As it comes to a stop, the Great Knife plunges through the still-closed elevator door toward Alex. The scene then transitions to a truck cab, and a now-awake Alex, implying the hospital area was part of a dream.
The Bogeyman, as a whole, doesn't appear to be hostile toward Alex. He may represent Alex's anger at his father, instead of Adam's guilt, though this has been neither confirmed nor denied by Konami or the game developers. It is enforced, however, by the possibility that the man wheeling Alex into the Operating Theater is, in fact, his father, making his demise here a kind of prophetic glimpse at his future fate, while highlighting Alex's general animosity toward his father.
The most surprising aspect of his appearance within Homecoming comes with the "Bogeyman" ending. Here, we see Alex bound in a chair, with a Bogeyman approaching from both side of him. Each bears a piece of helmet identical to their own. As Alex screams, they attach the pieces to him, transforming him into one of them. As Alex stands, it's revealed that he has taken on the physical characteristics of The Bogeyman. With this ending, the Bogeyman costume is unlocked.
In addition to his scenario-significance, The Bogeyman is also mentioned in a series of child's drawings found through the course of the game, each of which has part of a gruesome poem on the back, which was told to the children by their parents, to cover up for the "Dissapearance" of their friends.
Film
Although not linked with the first game plot wise, Pyramid Head does appear in the 2006 movie, Silent Hill, listed in the credits as "Red Pyramid" and portrayed by Roberto Campanella, where he acts again as a tenacious antagonist first encountered by Rose Da Silva in Midwich Elementary School while looking for her daughter. Although he doesn't stand out among the monsters of the town, he is unaffected by attempts to stop him and displays his characteristic strength and brutality, as well as his Great Knife. However, Pyramid Head's appearance is somewhat different from the game. His helmet is a black and girded hexagon - a 6-sided version of the 7-sided one in the game - and appears much more sharp. According to director Christophe Gans, the change is because it was impossible for the actor to wear the helmet from the game. The basic design principle of the game's designers is still there; they wanted the helmet to appear painful to wear. However, he makes no struggling gestures with his helmet in the movie as with the game. In the movie, his apron is worn from the waist down and appears to be made of human flesh. This particular incarnation seems quite single-minded in its pursuit of Rose, as it does not seem to notice the Creepers with which it first appears, even when some of them are crawling on it; it even kills one when it embeds its Great Knife in the wall. Furthermore, the grated triangular patches on the front panels of its helmet seem to be the closest thing to eyes that it has, as it turned its helmet to one side when assaulting Anna, as if to view her from a better angle.
Pyramid Head uses the Great Knife weapon to fillet a thick steel door in a failed attempt to kill Rose and Cybil Bennett. He displays his strength when he catches Anna, holds her in the air using only one arm, tears off her dress, then grabs her chest and tears off her skin in one movement. He is 7 feet tall as mentioned in the behind the scenes commentary.
The producers of the film have stated in the making-of features that since the creatures that appear in the Otherworld version of Silent Hill are punished human beings, Red Pyramid is being punished by having to wear the large, burdensome helmet. Director Christophe Gans has also stated that Red Pyramid's appearance is conjured from a female perspective, i.e. Alessa Gillespie's.
Pyramid Head may be based off of a painting Alessa saw in the Grand Hotel just before she was burned alive by the cultists. [1] Another theory to Pyramid Head's origins is that he may be Alessa's incarnation of her "father" - a man unknown to her, wearing a mask that conceals his identity, an authoritative figure punishing those in Silent Hill that had punished her in the past.
Comics
- Dying Inside - In Issue 5, the character Whately can be seen with a horde of Pyramid Head-like silhouettes standing behind him.
- Paint It Black - As Ike Isaacs helps a squad of cheerleaders escape Silent Hill, a trio of Pyramid Head-like monsters can be seen in pursuit.
- Sinner's Reward - Finn Conway is about to kill Jack Stanton in retaliation for attempting to run off with his wife and allowing her to be killed, when a Pyramid Head runs him through with a Great Knife.
- Dead/Alive - Numerous Pyramid Heads wander the streets of Silent Hill as the Otherworld overlaps with the real world.
Pyramid Head serves as the title character in the short comic Белый охотник (White Hunter). Though visually equal to the Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2, Masahiro Ito stated on his website that it is in fact another Pyramid Head in another world.
New International Track and Field
A super-deformed Pyramid Head appears as a selectable character in the Nintendo DS title New International Track & Field, now his design is more reminiscent to the Pyramid Head of Silent Hill 2, with the surgical gloves and butcher's apron, though the helmet seems to combine aspects of the original with those of his movie counterpart. This is a strictly non-canonical appearance of course.
Symbolism
| This article or section contains speculation. Please bear this in mind as you read. |
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In both appearances, Pyramid Head serves as punisher for the characters. In Silent Hill 2, like the other creatures roaming the town, Pyramid Head is a manifestation of James' subconscious mind; his unfulfilled desire for punishment for the death of Mary, coupled with a painting of a hooded executioner found in the Silent Hill Historical Society.
In Homecoming, the Bogeyman's origins aren't as quite straightforward. While serving as Adam's executioner, he may not be a product solely of the older man's mind. As Alex himself has made clear, he isn't fond of his father. It's possible that the Bogeyman serves the dual purpose of punishing a father for his guilt, and seeing that a neglectful father suffers for his misdeeds.
As a whole, the creature is reminiscent of an executioner, the Great Knife helping to further this image along. His helmet, large and imposing, seems to be indicative of a great burden being placed on one's shoulders, or being forced to bear great pain.
Xuchilbara
While much speculation remains as to his true identity, Pyramid Head could quite possibly be referred to in the Crimson Ceremony as Xuchilbara, implied in the following texts:
Speak. I am the Crimson One.
Originally referred to by James as the "Red Pyramid Thing", he is initially identified with the color red. Jimmy Stone, leader of the Valtiel Sect included a triangular red hood with his robes, and it is even implied through their actions that the Valtiel Sect was the group of the Order that dealt in punishment of wrong doings. Thus, Pyramid Head and his brutal actions, the Color Red, and the triangular hood or helmet are linked together.
The Lies and the Mist are not They, but I.
The Lies... - All of the delusions behind a person's arrival in Silent Hill. (Such as James believing that Mary died of her illness, or Alex believing Joshua to still be alive when in fact, we see that such is not the case.)
And the Mist... - The dense fog that blankets the Fog World, a physical manifestation of clouded reasoning, an obstacle that obscures the victim's path to final revelation.
Are not they, but I. - All of the created delusions and clouded reasoning are not the path to salvation and revelation, but the truths and answers that the person seeks lie in the very fabric that Pyramid Head is. He exists to show the damned their crimes and to make them pay for it.
I shall bring down bitter vengeance upon thee and thou shalt suffer my eternal wrath.
The calling of Vengeance and retribution is strong for those whom enter Silent Hill with no connection to the Order. Where James felt the need to be punished for his wife's death was present in it's most powerful, Pyramid Head appeared. Such situations included Brookhaven Hospital, where Maria fell sick while searching for Laura with James. Here, it's possible that (regardless of how many times you check up on Maria) that he was beginning to feel the same remorse for her sickness as he did for Mary's, and in such, called Pyramid Head to him. As also witnessed by James, Pyramid Head is invincible to attack. Even though he and his counterpart have impaled themselves on their spears once James is finally able to face the truth, Pyramid Head makes a reappearance in Homecoming, once again dishing out punishment. In this way, he is shown as eternal.
Thou shalt ever call upon me and all that is me in the place that is silent.
When arriving in Silent Hill with no connection to the Order, the person in question subconsciously seeks out a sentence for a crime they've committed, but got away with. Thus, the "Executioner" is called from his realm to do his duty. As Pyramid Head is so strongly connected to Silent Hill in this way, it's possible that just by entering the town, one calls the Judge from his slumber to do his work.
The Helmet
Pyramid Head's helmet is his most defining characteristic, and as such is also lined with symbolism. The helmet is described to be very similar to the triangular hood that executioners of The Order wear. However, the helmet is also designed to appear extremely uncomfortable, even extremely so, acting as a torture device as well as a symbol of authority. In Silent Hill 2, Pyramid Head grapples with his helmet on occasion, tugging and pulling at it in vain. It also causes him to stoop and slouch by its sheer weight alone. In Homecoming, Pyramid does not seem particularly bothered by his helmet, although in the Bogeyman ending, if one pauses the screen the insides of the two helmet halves are lined with thick spikes, which would undoubtedly dig into the wearer's skull. As such, Pyramid Head himself is also a victim, or at least a symbol, of punishment, being forced to wear his horrifically designed helmet, which further supports his role in providing punishment to those who need it. It can also be seen that he too is a victim of the mysterious force at work in the town, doomed to suffer and remain locked within his role as punisher, and executioner.
Trivia
- In Silent Hill 2, when Pyramid Head attacks as he thrusts his spear, his grunt is almost identical to James' grunt when he is hit by an enemy.
- International Track and Field mentions that Pyramid Head has recently been on "A brief but enjoyable killing spree" in Hollywood - a clear reference to the movie.
- In one of the endings from Silent Hill: Homecoming, one can see that the inside of the pyramid helmet is lined with spikes.
- It is unknown how Pyramid Head can see, because his helmet obviously obscures all vision.
- In his appearances, Pyramid Head seems to work as an executioner for cruel and inhuman crimes, such as killing. In James' story from Silent Hill 2, the creature is a punisher for James, created from his guilt and desire to be punished for Mary's death. In Silent Hill: Homecoming, it reprises his same role, as a punisher for Joshua's accidental death that Alex caused. In the Arcade, he was probably looking for The Little Baroness' passengers.
- In Toluca Prison, there is a painting called An execution at the prison. It states " Death by skewering or strangling. To choose his death was the prisoner's last taste of freedom." This could be a reference to one of Pyramid Head's attacks, where he grabs James by the neck, and while he's strangling him, a sharp object comes out of his helmet and will skewer James if he does not break free in time.
See also
- 袋 Fukuro — A short 3-minute film that includes Pyramid Head. It features 3D footage from Silent Hill 2, along with other abstract imagery and sounds.
Gallery
 The Red Pyramid Thing |
 Pyramid Head as he appears in Sinner's Reward. |
 A trio of Pyramid Heads from Paint it Black. |
 Official art from Silent Hill: Homecoming. |
 Masahiro Ito's rendition of Pyramid Head |
 Pyramid Head graces the cover of the soundtrack for Silent Hill: Origins |
 Pyramid Head ascends the Church steps in the film. |
 Pyramid Head in the film. |
