Devon Sawa Announced as Special Guest at Evansville Horror Con

If You Were an 80s Baby Who Grew Up in the 90s

If you were an 80s baby who came of age in the 90s, you know there were a handful of cinematic moments that live rent-free forever in our hearts.

One of them was that scene in the 1997 movie Titanic. Rose stretches out her arms on the bow of the ship and Jack stands behind her with that soft embrace. It is like he is saying you fly, I will never let go. But does she return the favor later by scooting over a few inches? No. She does not.

Leo appears again on the 'burned into my soul' list when he enters the Capulet home dressed as a knight in shining armor in the 1995 cult classic Romeo and Juliet. He looks through the fish tank at a fresh-faced Claire Danes who studies him right back. Instant cinematic imprint.

These were serious movies that grabbed our hearts. We faced death at the end. We grew as people. But there was one movie that was actually released before them in 1995. It flipped the script and introduced death at the very beginning, and we ALL came ALIVE at the end.

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Casper Brought the Sad Part Early

In Casper, a young boy voiced by Malachi Pearson, goes sledding and stays out in the cold too long, which leads to his death. He and his three mischievous uncles haunt the beautiful Whipstaff Manor. It sits abandoned until Carrigan Crittenden, played by Cathy Moriarty, inherits the mansion and discovers the ghostly tenants.

In her greedy attempt to find the home's "treasure," she brings in Dr. James Harvey, played by Bill Pullman, to help the ghosts cross over using his unique brand of ghost therapy. With him is his daughter Kat, played by Christina Ricci. The two are still grieving the loss of Kat’s mother, and Dr. Harvey is quietly searching for her on the other side. Their constant ghost chasing leaves Kat lonely and devoid of any real friends or a semblance of a normal childhood.

The Lab Scene That Changed Everything

As the story unfolds, Casper brings Kat to his father’s secret lab. He remembers the invention that could bring someone back to life. He plans to use it himself, but instead he chooses to save Dr. Harvey after an unfortunate night out with the gross ghostly uncles.

Kat’s mother apparently has some pull on the other side and steps in to reward Casper’s sacrifice. She grants him a few precious moments in human form so he can attend the Halloween dance with Kat.

When Casper walks out as a real boy, excuse me - (In my junior high brain) man, every middle and high school girl in the audience gasped. There he was, 16-year-old Devon Sawa. The iconic 90s haircut. The gappy grin. The confident way he places her hand behind his neck...

He looked and sounded nothing like the baby-faced ghost we had watched for ninety minutes, but the surprise was pure movie magic. Then he whispered the line that melted us into our theater seats.

Can I keep you?

Cooked.

Devon Sawa Joins Evansville Horror Con 2026

Since those unforgettable 30 seconds, Sawa has gone on to star in multiple films and television shows. Many have been in the horror genre, including the Final Destination franchise. I still won't follow behind a log truck to this day.

Fresh off his most recent horror film Heart Eyes, he is heading to Evansville Horror Con, the longstanding horror convention hosted by LINZ Entertainment / Raptor Con and we 90s girls are losing it. My friend Ashley McReynolds posted, "Never asked to go to any Con before. My husband finds my request suspicious."

Horror Con posted this to Facebook:

Evansville Horror Con is thrilled to welcome Devon Sawa! We may have sworn everyone to secrecy on whatnot, but we are to excited not to share.

From cult favorites like Idle Hands and Final Destination to modern hits like Chucky and the brand new horror film Heart Eyes, Devon Sawa has carved out a legendary place in the genre.

Fans also know him from Carbon Polls Casper, Now and Then, Slackers, Hunter Hunter and so many more. Whether he is cheating death, dealing with possessed body parts, or diving into fresh nightmare fuel in Heart Eyes, Devon always brings something unforgettable to the screen.

Come meet Devon Sawa at Evansville Horror Con and celebrate one of horror’s most requested guests live in Evansville, IN.

The lineup is stacked and includes CJ Graham from the Friday the 13th franchise, Elden Henson from The Butterfly Effect, Samantha Scafidi and Amelie McLain from the Terrifier films, Nancy Loomis from Halloween, John Franklin from Children of the Corn, and Chris Fehn formerly of Slipknot.

Evansville Horror Con 2026 Event Details

Evansville Horror Con
Feb 28 to Mar 1, 2026
Old National Events Plaza
715 Locust Street
Evansville, Indiana 47708

What to Expect at Evansville Horror Con

Join the fun in Downtown Evansville for the scariest event of the year. Raptor Con presents Evansville Horror Con with celebrity guests, unique vendors, panels, a horror movie screening room, paranormal and supernatural features, and much more. Kids under 10 are free with an adult ticket purchase. Purchase tickets here.

If you happen to get a moment with Devon, be sure to whisper, "can I keep you?" I'm sure that won't creep him out at all. It IS Horror Con, after all.