Slasher films

Definition

Slasher films are a subgenre of horror movies characterized by a killer stalking and murdering a group of people, usually in a graphic and violent manner. This genre often features a final girl, a trope where the last surviving female character confronts the killer, and typically involves themes of voyeurism, sexual repression, and moral punishment for characters' transgressions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Slasher films gained popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s with iconic movies like 'Halloween' and 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'.
2. The genre often incorporates suspenseful music and tense editing techniques to build atmosphere and anticipation before a kill.
3. Characters in slasher films frequently exhibit behavior that leads to their demise, reinforcing moral lessons about sexuality, drug use, and other perceived social issues.
4. Most slasher films follow a formulaic structure: an introduction to characters, the emergence of the killer, a series of killings, and finally a confrontation with the final girl.
5. The slasher genre has evolved over the years, leading to self-referential films like 'Scream' that critique its own conventions while still delivering horror.

Review Questions

• How do slasher films typically portray the concept of morality among characters?
  • Slasher films often depict a moral code where characters who engage in risky or immoral behavior, such as premarital sex or drug use, are punished by the killer. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale that suggests moral transgressions lead to dire consequences. The final girl, who usually represents innocence and virtue, survives while others do not, emphasizing this moralistic view present throughout the genre.
• Analyze how the final girl trope contributes to the thematic elements in slasher films.
  • The final girl trope serves as a central theme in slasher films by highlighting gender dynamics and societal expectations. The final girl is typically portrayed as resourceful and resilient, contrasting with other female characters who may embody more stereotypical roles. This characterization allows filmmakers to explore themes of survival, empowerment, and retribution against patriarchal violence, as she ultimately confronts the killer and survives to tell her story.
• Evaluate the evolution of slasher films from their inception to modern interpretations, considering cultural context and audience expectations.
  • Since their rise in popularity during the late 1970s and early 1980s, slasher films have undergone significant evolution. Early films focused heavily on suspenseful build-up and graphic violence, reflecting societal fears surrounding crime and sexuality. Modern interpretations often include meta-narratives that critique previous tropes while still delivering horror elements. This shift reflects changing cultural contexts where audiences are more aware of genre conventions, allowing filmmakers to subvert expectations while keeping viewers engaged with innovative storytelling.

Related terms

Final Girl: The last female character remaining alive at the end of a slasher film, who confronts the killer and often embodies innocence or virtue.

Jump Scare: A sudden event in a film designed to startle the audience, commonly used in slasher films to enhance tension and fear.

Body Count: The total number of characters killed throughout the film, often serving as a hallmark for slasher films to measure their intensity and shock value.