Curupira

The oldest mention of his name is by José de Anchieta, in São Vicente, on 30 May 1560: "It's a well-known thing and it's rumored by everyone that there are certain demons, which the Brazilians call corupira, that often attack Indians in the bush, whip them, hurt them and kill them.

Therefore, the Indians usually leave on a certain path, which leads through rough forests to the interior of the lands, on the top of the highest mountain, when they pass by, bird feathers, fans , arrows and other similar things as a kind of oblation, fervently begging the curupiras not to harm them.

"[3] The Demon of the forest, explainer of mysterious rumors, of the disappearance of hunters, of forgotten paths, of sudden, inexplicable terrors, Curupira slowly received attributes and physical forms that belonged to other threatening entities lost in classical antiquity.

Always with his feet facing backwards and with prodigious physical strength, he deceives hunters and travelers, making them lose their way, leading them astray inside the forest, with whistles and false signals.

Played by Australian actress Emilie de Ravin, this Curupira, while still possessing the backwards feet, had the appearance of a young and deceptively sweet-faced blonde girl clad in green.

In the 2020 animated film The Red Scroll, the character Idril is inspired by Curupira, although she does not have backwards feet, she clearly demonstrates the ability to leave inverted footprints on the ground in one of the scenes.

Curupira, played by Fabio Lago, is portrayed as a homeless person who is actually an entity that guards and protects Brazilian forests, perceived by his backward feet, flaming head, and illusion-like high whistles that combine nature and human voices.