Slasher film

Grand-Guignol-Scène-1937 (2)

The-Spiral-Staircase

Psycho Logo

Reazione a catena

Torso (1973) screenshot

Slasher film is a subgenre of horror film that revolves around a killer murdering a group of people, usually by use of bladed tools. Although the origins of the genre date back earlier, the term "slasher" is most commonly used to refer to a particular period of the genre that was popularized in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The typical plot involves a psychopathic killer stalking and murdering a sequence of victims in a graphically violent manner, often with a knife or a similar weapon. The victims are usually teenagers or young adults.

Characteristics

Slasher films are characterized by their use of suspense, gore, and shock. They often feature a final girl, who is the last woman alive to confront the killer, a trope that has been both criticized and celebrated for its representation of gender. The killers in these films are often motivated by revenge, trauma, or simply psychopathy, and they are frequently masked, which serves to both conceal their identity and depersonalize them. The genre is also known for its formulaic use of kill scenes, the creative and often graphic depiction of the murders.

History

The roots of the slasher film can be traced back to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) and Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960), which introduced audiences to the concept of the killer's perspective and the psychological horror aspect. However, it was Bob Clark's Black Christmas (1974) and John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) that truly defined the conventions of the slasher genre. Halloween's success led to a surge in similar films during the 1980s, such as Friday the 13th (1980) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), which established many of the tropes associated with the genre.

Evolution

Throughout the 1980s, the slasher film became increasingly formulaic, leading to a decline in its popularity by the end of the decade. However, in the 1990s, the genre was revitalized with the release of Scream (1996), directed by Wes Craven. Scream combined traditional slasher elements with self-referential humor and a meta-awareness of the genre's conventions, leading to a resurgence of interest in slasher films. This period also saw the emergence of post-modern slashers that played with the conventions of the genre.

Subgenres

Slasher films have spawned several subgenres, including supernatural slashers, where the killer possesses supernatural abilities (e.g., A Nightmare on Elm Street), and comedy slashers, which blend horror with comedy (e.g., Tucker and Dale vs. Evil).

Impact and Criticism

The slasher film genre has been the subject of much criticism, particularly for its depiction of violence and its potential impact on audiences. Critics argue that these films glorify violence, reinforce gender stereotypes, and desensitize viewers to real-life violence. However, proponents argue that slasher films can be a form of catharsis, allowing viewers to experience fear and aggression in a controlled environment.

Legacy

Despite the controversies, slasher films have had a significant impact on popular culture and have influenced a wide range of media, from video games to television series. The genre's emphasis on suspense, killer motifs, and the final girl trope have become iconic elements of horror cinema.