Mind Control to Major Tom: 10 Characters Whose Minds Have Been Manipulated

A mind is a terrible thing to lose to someone else — the idea of relinquishing control of something so internal and integral to your experience of self is scary. Mind control narratives have always had a sure foothold in horror, especially in times of uncertainty (and anytime we find fears of Communism are resurgent). These days mind control and brainwashing narratives feel even more relevant as most of us are stuck negotiating online spheres. We know that the information that we consume, and the conversation circles that we build are low-key curated for us by unseen algorithms. What tools we have at our disposal to wrestle back our online agency — like ad-blockers (and good fact-checking habits) can sometimes feel about as helpful as tinfoil hats.In horror, mind manipulation can take myriad forms from technological brainwashing to psychic control. I've narrowed the scope down a little to specifically exclude ghost and demonic possession narratives to focus on non-haunting takeovers.