Slasher film

Definition

A slasher film is a subgenre of horror that typically features a psychopathic killer who stalks and murders a group of people, often in a graphically violent manner. These films usually include a final girl trope, where the last surviving female character confronts the antagonist. Slasher films play with conventions of suspense and horror, while also utilizing a formulaic structure that can be both celebrated and subverted by filmmakers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Slasher films gained popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s, with influential titles like 'Halloween' (1978) and 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984).
2. The genre often includes stereotypical characters, such as the jock, the nerd, and the promiscuous girl, who typically meet their demise in creative ways.
3. Slasher films frequently explore themes of sexuality, morality, and punishment, often punishing characters for their perceived transgressions.
4. Many slasher films use a first-person perspective from the killer's point of view to create suspense and immerse the audience in the horror.
5. The genre has evolved over time, leading to meta-slashers like 'Scream' (1996), which comment on slasher conventions while still delivering traditional scares.

Review Questions

• How do slasher films utilize the final girl trope to enhance their narrative structure?
  • Slasher films often feature a final girl who embodies innocence and moral integrity, serving as a contrast to other characters who may engage in reckless behavior. This trope allows for an engaging narrative arc where the final girl faces off against the killer, often leading to themes of empowerment and survival. By framing the story around her journey, slasher films not only create tension but also explore deeper social commentaries on gender roles and morality.
• Discuss how slasher films blend traditional horror elements with unique stylistic choices to engage audiences.
  • Slasher films blend classic horror elements like suspenseful music and atmospheric settings with unique stylistic choices such as graphic violence and character archetypes. By implementing jump scares and POV shots from the killer's perspective, filmmakers build tension while engaging audiences emotionally. This combination creates a rollercoaster experience that keeps viewers on edge while also allowing for moments of dark humor or self-awareness that can be seen in more modern entries within the genre.
• Evaluate how the evolution of slasher films reflects changes in societal attitudes towards violence and morality over time.
  • The evolution of slasher films mirrors shifting societal attitudes towards violence, morality, and gender roles. Early slasher films often portrayed violence as punishment for immorality, reflecting conservative values regarding sexuality and behavior. However, as society became more desensitized to violence, filmmakers began subverting traditional tropes, leading to meta-narratives that critique these very conventions. This shift not only reflects changing moral landscapes but also indicates a deeper commentary on media consumption and its impact on audiences.

Related terms

Final Girl: The last female character remaining alive at the end of a horror film, often representing purity and morality, who confronts the killer.

Jump Scare: A sudden and unexpected event in a film designed to frighten the audience, commonly used in slasher films to create tension.

Body Count: The total number of characters killed throughout the course of a film, often a significant element in slasher narratives.