Why we'll never be able to kill off horror's boogeymen for good
The slasher genre of horror has been a staple of the horror genre since its inception in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The genre is characterized by violent and graphic depictions of murder, often committed by a masked killer, and has become one of the most iconic and recognizable forms of horror.
But where did the slasher genre come from, and how has it evolved over the years?
The slasher genre can be traced back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when a number of influential horror films were released that would come to define the genre. One of the earliest and most influential of these films was Halloween (1978), directed by John Carpenter.
Halloween tells the story of a masked killer, Michael Myers, who stalks and kills his victims on Halloween night. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.
Bob Clark's early slasher masterpiece, Black Christmas, has notable influences on Halloween, from following the killer's POV to the final girl. Black Christmas has, as of this writing, been remade twice—once in 2006, and then again in 2019 by Blumhouse Productions, which also co-produced the most recent Halloween reboot trilogy starring Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and directed by David Gordon Green.
Peeping Tom is a forgotten pre-Halloween slasher film that clearly influenced both Black Christmas and Halloween, not to mention the long list of slashers that were to follow.
Riding the success of Halloween, a number of other slasher films were released that helped to establish the conventions of the genre. These films often featured masked killers, graphic violence, and teenage victims, and many of them were set around holiday seasons, such as Christmas and Valentine's Day. Some of the most well-known slasher films from this period include Friday the 13th (1980), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Scream (1996).
As the slasher genre continued to evolve and grow in popularity, it began to attract both praise and criticism. Some saw the genre as a form of escapist entertainment, a way for audiences to experience the thrill of danger without actually being in any real danger. Others, however, saw the genre as exploitative and gratuitous, with its focus on graphic violence and the sexualization of its female characters.
Despite this criticism, the slasher genre continued to thrive and evolve, with new films and franchises being produced that expanded upon and subverted the conventions of the genre. In the 2000s and 2010s, for example, there was a resurgence of interest in the slasher genre, with new films like Saw (2004) and Hostel (2005) that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in terms of violence and gore.
The slasher genre has also been influenced by other forms of popular culture, including comic books and video games. For example, the Scream franchise was heavily influenced by the comic book series The X-Files, while the Saw franchise was inspired by the survival horror video game Resident Evil.
Despite its controversial reputation, the slasher genre continues to be a popular and influential form of horror. Whether it's the masked killers of Halloween or the brutal violence of Saw, the slasher genre has something to offer to fans of horror and suspense, and it shows no signs of losing its appeal anytime soon.
The slasher genre of horror has a rich and fascinating history, from its roots in the late 1970s and early 1980s, to its continued evolution and popularity in the present day. Whether you love it or hate it, the slasher genre is an indelible part of the horror genre, and its influence on popular culture is undeniable.
Horror writer Stephen Graham Jones put his own spin on the slasher story and the "final girl" with My Heart is a Chainsaw and its newly published sequel, Don't Fear the Reaper. A third, as-yet-untitled novel will conclude the trilogy.
For the uninitiated, Jones has combined his tribal ancestry, uncanny knowledge of pop culture, and unquestionable talent as a writer to become one of modern horror's most distinct, and persuasive voices. Despite a long list of credentials, Jones broke through to the mainstream with his 2020 hit, The Only Good Indians, which horror maestro Stephen King called "thrilling, literate, scary, immersive."
At the movies, the slasher genre shows no sign of slowing up, with a new entry in the Scream franchise killing it at the box office, and films like Pearl, Smile, and Barbarian earning high praise from critics and fans alike.
The slasher genre has slayed its way into the world of videogames with recent hits The Quarry, featuring genre favorite Lin Shaye, The Evil Dead, The Evil Within, Friday the 13th, and the multiplayer Dead by Daylight, to name a few.
Slashers found a new hunting ground on television with Scream the Series, Bates Motel, Harper's Island, the self-referential Slasher, fan favorite and breakout hit, Chucky, and the upcoming Friday the 13th spin-off, Crystal Lake, produced by Bryan Fuller, who brought Hannibal to the small screen.
So next time you sit down to watch a slasher film, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and evolution of this iconic genre.
