5 movie/TV show references that inspired Bray Wyatt's WWE characters 

#2 Max Cady - Cape Fear (1991)

Max Cady (left) and Bray Wyatt (right)

After going through a rocky journey in NXT, Bray Wyatt received his first dose of mainstream recognition in WWE when he debuted as the leader of a cult. Other members of the Wyatt Family looked up to him as a man of God, and Bray Wyatt delivered his sermons to the WWE Universe.

When Bray Wyatt debuted on the main roster, fans instantly drew comparisons of Wyatt to Robert De Niro's character (Max Cady) from the 1991 thriller film, Cape Fear.

In Cape Fear, Max Cady is a reprehensible ex-convict with a charming Cajun demeanour, covered in tattoos. Apart from the wardrobe comparisons, Cady was written as a manipulative antagonist crazed with the grandeur of a God complex, just like Bray Wyatt.

Interestingly, Wyatt's Max Cady-inspired gimmick was given to Waylon Mercy in 1995, but the latter star didn't gain enough recognition and was forgotten over the years.

Max Cady-like, modern day Waylon Mercy..in my opinion. Intriguing. RT @TheInfamousHova: @JRsBBQ What do you think of Bray Wyatt??

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) May 8, 2012

In a 2K event interview, Bray Wyatt cited Robert De Niro as an influence to his gimmick when he was a part of the Wyatt Family in WWE.