Coraline is an interesting animated movie following the titular character as she embarks on a journey into the other world, and faces off against the Beldam, which seems to be a lich like undead who feasts on the bodies of children, 3 of whom she has claimed.
The Beldam seems to me to be a new style of undead we have yet to rank. To me, it seems the Beldam is a lich, a living being who sacrificed some part of them in order to achieve eternal life, however it seems this deal came with the cost of having to consume the bodies of willing children to remain.
The Beldam is uniquely spooky, taking designs from spiders, skeletons, and sewing paraphernalia such as buttons and needles. Her button eyes are uncomfortable from the start, but seeing her final true form is the most disturbing. A hunched, scrawny woman which pale skeletal limbs ended with needle hands and spider feet create a horrifying character.
Being able to construct her own realm is a powerful tool, disorienting her victims or luring them in. Her physical prowess is commendable as well, being able to move quickly and pounce on her prey. Being able also to craft semi-conscious minions from nothing but sand and string can help over power her victims, but despite these skills, she is easily defeated by a young girl, and barely stronger than one.
If we assume the Beldam was at one time a normal lady as I do, the transformation is quite high, fused with what seems to be a hobby of hers, to becoming a horrifying spider like creature.
The Beldam is a unique name that I enjoy. The Villains Wiki tells me that it may have been influenced by a John Keats poem called "La Belle Dame Sans Merci" I am not a poet, but it is an interesting poem that talks of a faerie lady who a knight falls in love with, but then finds himself in a dream he was having, alone and cold. Pretty cool etymology and pretty cool name.
Very spooky ghost kids! They are trapped in these pained expressions and are jumpy and seem in pain.
Danger is minimal as they seem powerless as they are.
Transform is just above that of a basic ghost, sharing all the same aspects, adding the button eyes.
They have no names, which means they get a 1.
Watching Coraline (2009)