Also Known As: Chief Woodenhead, The Wooden Indian, Woodenhead
First Appearance: Creepshow 2 (1987)
Most Iconic Form: A towering wooden Native American statue come to life, wielding tomahawk and bow, his face grim and unyielding
Kill Count: Three
Portrayed by: Dan Kamin (physical performance), David Nichols (sculpture and effects)
Tier: Third Class Tier
Creepshow 2 (1987)
In the anthology horror film Creepshow 2, Chief Woodenhead stars in the opening segment, Old Chief Woodenhead. The story centres on an elderly couple, Ray and Martha Spruce, who run a small general store in a dying desert town. Outside their shop stands a life-sized wooden statue of a Native American warrior — a proud symbol of the local tribe’s heritage, and a silent guardian of the couple’s livelihood.
When the tribal elder, Benjamin Whitemoon, visits to repay his debts, he leaves behind a pouch of sacred turquoise jewellery as collateral, promising that his people will make good on what they owe. Shortly after, the Spruces are attacked by a trio of young delinquents led by Sam Whitemoon — Benjamin’s vain, violent nephew, who plans to flee to Hollywood and become famous. The gang brutally murders the Spruces, steals the turquoise, and vandalises the store before driving off into the night.
But as the wind rises and the dust settles, something ancient stirs. The carved wooden chief creaks to life, his painted eyes glowing with fury. Slow and deliberate, he begins his grim hunt for vengeance. Using his tomahawk, knife, and bow, Woodenhead stalks and slaughters the three killers one by one. Each death mirrors their cruelty — poetic retribution carved from the same timber of justice that the Spruces embodied in life.
The finale finds Benjamin Whitemoon returning to find the turquoise restored and the statue once more motionless. Chief Woodenhead stands silently in front of the store, his wooden face streaked with the blood of the guilty — a grim symbol of vengeance served.
Psychology and Behaviour
Chief Woodenhead is not a sadist or hunter; he is a guardian spirit. His awakening is tied to the desecration of sacred trust, his actions driven by justice rather than malice. He kills without hesitation but never without reason. His movements are slow, heavy, and purposeful — the embodiment of inevitability and righteous fury.
His silence amplifies his menace; his carved features never change, yet his presence radiates judgement. Woodenhead is vengeance personified — an elemental force awakened by disrespect and greed.
Cultural Impact
While Old Chief Woodenhead is often overshadowed by The Raft and The Hitchhiker segments, it remains one of Creepshow 2’s most memorable stories thanks to its blend of tragedy and revenge. The practical effects used to animate Woodenhead are striking even decades later, giving him a tactile, haunting presence rare in anthology monsters.
The segment’s moral theme — respect for heritage and the consequences of desecration — gives Woodenhead a mythic weight. Fans often recall him as one of horror’s most unique avengers, standing alongside figures like Pumpkinhead or The Crow as spirits that balance the scales of the living and the dead.
League Placement
Chief Woodenhead belongs in the Third Class Tier. He is a one-off creation, but unforgettable in imagery and execution. His design, moral clarity, and practical effects ensure his continued legacy as a cult horror avenger.