Slasher Films

A slasher film is a subgenre of horror films involving a killer or a group of killers stalking and muddying a group of people, often by use of bladed or sharp tools. Although the term slasher may occasionally be used informally as a generic term for any horror film involving murder, film analysts cite an established set of characteristics that set slasher films apart from other horror sub-genres such as monster movies, splatter films, supernatural, and psycho horror films.

Core Characteristics

The killer

1. A central, often masked or disfigured, antagonist is the driving force of the violence.
2. Often possess a personalised weapon (knives, machetes, etc.)
3. May have a specific motivation, such as revenge.

The victims

1. Typically, young adults, often teenagers
2. The victims are often killed off one by one, creating suspense and a sense of dread.

Gore and violence

1. Graphic depictions of violence are a staple of the genre. We are splattered, and lots of bodies are hitting the floor.
2. The kill scene set pieces are often elaborate and designed to shock the audience.

Suspense

1. Slasher films rely heavily on building suspense through stalking, chase sequences, and jump scares.
2. The use of creepy music and atmospheric settings contributes to the tension.

Recurring tropes

1. Characters making questionable decisions.
2. A sense of moral judgement where characters engaging in immoral behaviour are often the first to be killed.
3. The killer's backstory

How the horror movies changed

After the first slasher movies came out, people started really embracing the genre and defining many of the characteristics we just talked about. Movies leaned toward the gore, practical effects, and iconic villains. We had people like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers entering the cultural lexicon and setting expectations for what people would get from these movies. Of course, the more people come to expect, the more filmmakers have to subvert them. When you hit the 90s, we had seen so many slashers that they felt kind of stale. So then you got scream, it was a meta like on these kinds of movies, and totally revamped the genre. Slashers also mirror the culture. When social media started, slashers added a whole new element to their motivations and characterisations. And as we wanted more blood and fire, they also shifted to more violent kills. Modern slashers feature more diverse characters and inclusive narratives, broadening their appeal beyond just white high school characters.

The birth of the slasher genre, Halloween, 1978

John Carpenter's Halloween 1978) is widely regarded as the film that launched the slasher genre into mainstream popularity. The movie follows the story of Michael Mayer’s, a masked killer who escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown to wreak havoc on Halloween night. The character of Laurie, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, became the Quintessential final girl, a final trope that would become a staple in slasher films. Halloween was notable for its low-budget production, atmospheric tension, and the minimalist score composed by Carpenter himself. The film’s success demonstrated that horror movies could be both commercially viable and critically acclaimed. Its influence is evident in the numerous slasher films that followed, many of which borrowed its formula of a relentless, masked killer stalking and murdering teenagers.

Impact and influence

The legacy of the slasher genre is evident in its lasting impact on popular culture and the horror genre as a whole. Iconic characters like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger have become cultural icons, representing the enduring appeal of the slasher film. The genre’s influence extends beyond cinema, with references and homages appearing in television, literature, and video games.

Modern horror filmmakers continue to draw inspiration from the slasher genre, blending its conventions with contemporary themes and storytelling techniques. Films like Follows 2014 and The Babadook 2014 incorporate slasher elements while exploring deeper psychological and societal issues.

Notable slasher films

The genre hit its peak between 1978 and 1984, in an era referred to as the golden age of slasher films. Notable slasher films include black Christmas 974, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974, Halloween 1978, Friday the 13th 1980, My Bloody Valentine 1981, Sleepaway Camp 1983, A Nightmare on Elm Street 1984, Child’s Play 1988, Candy (1992, and Scream 1996.

Indian slasher films

Not only renowned in Hollywood, but it has also covered some Bollywood and Kollywood audiences as well. Such as Jaani Dushman, Ek Anokhi Kahani, which has a plot involving a whole shifting snake, exacts vengeance on a group of friends for a crime they did not even commit.

Mahakaal, A demon, torments the family and friends of Anita to take revenge on his death, which was caused by her police officer father.

Kutch to hai, which came from I know what you did last summer, a story centring around a college professor.

Kaalo, a movie, is based on the theme of passengers on a stranded bus in a desert being attacked by a vengeful winged witch.

Now, slasher films have decades to play with. We can have films built around nostalgia for the old ones, or new takes on the genre like X-Terrier and the new Scream reboot movies.

The genre has evolved and continues to change with the rise in tech and with new audiences' expectations. They change with the times and are great vehicles to talk about social issues or whatever we need to get off our chest because they are adaptable to metaphors. It remains a testament to the enduring fascination with fear, suspense, and the darker aspects of human nature.

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References

• horrorhomeroom.com
• researchgate.org