The slasher film genre is one of the most enduring and popular genres of horror cinema. From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to its current status as a staple of the horror genre, the slasher film has gone through a number of changes and transformations over the years. This article will discuss the evolution of the slasher film genre, from its early influences to its modern incarnation.
What is
A slasher film is a type of horror film that typically follows a story of a killer stalking and killing their victims in a violent manner. Slasher films often contain graphic violence, suspense, and elements of mystery and horror. The slasher film is usually focused on a single killer, and often features a final girl as the protagonist.
Early Influences
The slasher film genre has its roots in earlier horror films, such as the Universal monster films of the 1930s and 1940s. These films featured a variety of monsters and villains, from vampires to mad scientists, that were used to create suspense and terror. The films were often suspenseful and featured gory violence, which helped to set the stage for the slasher films of the 1960s and beyond.
The German Expressionism Movement
The German Expressionism movement was another important influence on the slasher film genre. This movement, which began in the 1920s, focused on creating films that explored dark themes and psychological horror. The films often featured dark, surreal visuals and themes of guilt and terror, which would later become staples of the slasher film genre.
The Introduction of the Slasher Film
The slasher film genre began to take shape in the 1960s with films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Michael Powell’s Peeping Tom. These films featured a single killer stalking and killing their victims in a violent manner. The films also featured elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological horror, which would become staples of the slasher genre.
The Popularity of the Slasher Film
The slasher film genre quickly gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. Films such as John Carpenter’s Halloween, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th were all box office hits and helped to establish the slasher genre as a staple of the horror genre.
The Slasher Film Subgenre
The slasher film genre also began to develop its own subgenres, such as the slasher comedy and the slasher musical. These films often featured comedic elements and more over-the-top violence and gore than traditional slasher films.
The Italian Giallo Film
The Italian Giallo film was another important influence on the slasher genre. These films, which began in the 1960s, featured a single killer stalking and killing their victims in a graphically violent manner. The films often featured surreal visuals and complex plots, which would later become staples of the slasher genre.
The Slasher Film Becomes Mainstream
The slasher film genre continued to gain popularity in the 1980s, with films such as Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street becoming mainstream hits. These films featured more graphic violence and gore than earlier slasher films, and helped to establish the slasher genre as a staple of the horror genre.
The Introduction of Self-Awareness
The slasher film began to take on more self-aware elements in the 1980s, with films such as Wes Craven’s Scream and Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty. These films featured characters that were aware of horror film tropes and conventions, which added a new layer of self-referential humor and irony to the genre.
The Rise of the Final Girl
The slasher genre also saw the rise of the “final girl” trope in the 1980s. This trope, which was first introduced in John Carpenter’s Halloween, featured a female protagonist who was the last person standing against the killer. The final girl trope has become a staple of the slasher genre, and is often seen as a symbol of female empowerment in horror films.
The Slasher Film Becomes Self-Referential
The slasher film genre began to take on more self-referential elements in the 2000s, with films such as Eli Roth’s Cabin Fever, Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses, and Wes Craven’s Scream 4. These films featured characters that were aware of horror movie tropes and conventions, which added a new layer of self-referential humor and irony to the genre.
The Rise of the Torture Porn
The 2000s also saw the rise of the so-called “torture porn” subgenre of the slasher film. These films, such as Eli Roth’s Hostel and James Wan’s Saw, featured graphic violence and gore and often focused on a single killer torturing and killing their victims in a graphically violent manner.
The Revival of Unconventional Slashers
The slasher genre also saw a revival of more unconventional slashers in the 2000s, with films such as Rob Zombie’s The Devil’s Rejects, Lucky McKee’s May, and Ti West’s The House of the Devil. These films featured more psychological horror and suspense than traditional slasher films, and often featured more complex and unpredictable killers.
The Slasher Film in the Modern Age
The slasher film genre continues to evolve in the modern age, with films such as Jordan Peele’s Get Out, James Wan’s The Conjuring, and Ari Aster’s Hereditary. These films feature more complex characters and stories than traditional slasher films, and often explore themes of psychological horror and suspense.
The Influence of the Slasher Film Genre
The slasher film genre has had a profound influence on the horror genre, from its early influences to its modern incarnation. The genre has seen a number of changes and transformations over the years, from the introduction of self-awareness to the rise of the torture porn subgenre. The genre has also become more complex and nuanced, with films exploring psychological horror and suspense in addition to traditional elements of the genre.
The Future of the Slasher Film Genre
The slasher film genre will continue to evolve in the years to come, with filmmakers exploring new themes and stories within the genre. The genre has already seen a revival of more unconventional slashers, and it is likely that this trend will continue in the future. It is also likely that the genre will continue to explore themes of psychological horror and suspense, as filmmakers continue to push the boundaries of the genre.
References
1. McAvan, E. (2020). A Brief History of the Slasher Film Genre. The Horror Honeys. https://thehorrorhoneys.com/2020/08/22/a-brief-history-of-the-slasher-film-genre/
2. Schaffner, A. (2019). The Evolution of the Slasher Genre. Taste of Cinema. https://www.tasteofcinema.com/2019/the-evolution-of-the-slasher-genre/
3. Smith, K. (2017). How Slasher Movies Evolved From 1960 To Now. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/slasher-movies-evolution-history-1960-now/
