T w e n t y S i d e d

No matter how much one likes any given Friday the 13th film, no matter how creative or how well it performed in theaters, you can always make an argument for some other slasher film doing the same thing but better. The original movie can be excused from this somewhat, as the intention from the beginning was to use the emerging “slasher” formula but crank up the violence and sex. Of course, you still have to ask “Does ‘do the same, but more so!’ count as ‘doing something new?'” Conversely, even if you can find a movie that does the theme better, the Friday the 13th series can legitimately be considered the most “pure” slasher series. Or at least, the first four films certainly fit that description (there are caveats, of course.) And speaking of caveats, Friday the 13th introduced the concept of the “paranormal” slasher. IN THE TERMS that we consider a slasher to be “paranormal” today, to be clear. Both Michael Myers and Freddy Krueger, in their original portrayals, bring paranormal features to the table. However, as I discussed last time, Michael in the first movie, or “The Shape” as he was more commonly known then, was an abstract; a representation of an idea. Freddy was originally written as some form of psychic force…or any number of other ways you want to explain his “dream infection” ability, who could be defeated simply by NOT LETTING him bother you. Or at least until the last scene of the movie was added, which required explanation in the future. I personally view Freddy in his early incarnation as “an unexplained supernatural phenomenon.” I say he is supernatural rather than paranormal because we’re still operating on a basis of “you have to believe in him for him to have power.” And this largely holds throughout the franchise. You don’t “have” to believe in Michael or…the killer…in Friday the 13th; they are functionally physical. As I pointed out, Michael was “made real-real” in the second movie. But the killer in Friday the 13th; they were just a serial killer. At least at first.

Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Slasher Movie Evolution: From Grandma to Zombie”

Paige Francis He/him

Last week we talked about the origin of the “Big Three” slasher movie franchises: Halloween, Friday the 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. All three of the original movies were created as stand-alone films, although as noted A Nightmare on Elm Street had a sequel approved right at the end of filming, causing a final scene to be added that essentially negated the conclusion (and arguably the message) of the movie. All three franchises would eventually re-write their long-lasting villains into different concepts, but not necessarily immediately.

Continue reading ⟩⟩ “Slasher Movie Evolution: In the Case of Halloween and Halloween II”

Paige Francis He/him