When I think of slasher films, I think of the classics—Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Friday the 13th. I think of Michael Myers, Leatherface, or Jason Voorhees. These vicious, evil beings that are idolized by millions.
When I think of slasher films, I faintly recall Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode (Halloween, 1978), or Marilyn Burns as Sally Hardesty (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 1974). These iconic, butt-kicking women, that allowed us to be scared out of our wits, are (often) vaguely remembered versus their male counterparts.
When it comes to women in horror, I’d say we’re trapped.
Trapped in the same, stupid, exhausted tropes.
Actresses such as Jamie Lee Curtis, who made her first cinematic appearance in John Carpenter’s Halloween, was casted as Laurie Strode. The pretty, friendly, girl-next-door who tried to outrun the murderous Michael Myers.
After Halloween, Curtis continued to be typecasted as the “Final Girl”. A trope that is often used in slasher films.
For example, the audience will be introduced to some young, beautiful, female protagonist. A character that abstains from anything deemed immoral (sex, drugs, etc.) Typically, this character will be pursued by the killer (or antagonist), and is often the last to survive due to their amazing morality.
While I absolutely love a good slasher film, seeing the same trope repeated, over and over, can get pretty…stale.
Like many of the women in these slasher films, sometimes…I feel trapped.
Like I’m sealed in, and there’s absolutely no way out.
Maybe there’s no masked-murderer chasing me around town, but still.
Maybe this “masked-murderer” is instead, my own fears and anxieties, following me—harming me.
As an aspiring cinematographer in a male-dominated industry, I sometimes feel discouraged. Will I be able to handle the competition and pressure? I don’t know. Maybe.
One thing I know for sure, is that I’m not living in a slasher film. This is real life and I have the ability to change things. To inspire others like me.
Maybe, like Laurie Strode in the first Halloween film, I can survive.
Even though she was killed off in the fourth Halloween film, but still, you get my point.
Speaking of slasher films, as of now, my favorite seems to be Sleepaway Camp. A film that actually has a female serial killer.
So, what are some of your favorite slasher films? Comment them down below and let’s discuss!
Anyways, catch you ghouls later!
Image Credit: Pedro Figueras
Fret not, kiddo, as the ladies of cinema have mostly grown out of that damsel-in-distress trope right when the 80s wrapped up. It did get tiring very fast because it took the suspense out of a good horror; we always knew the last survivor would be the lead female, occasionally accompanied by an injured man who we thought was killed earlier. It was as cliche as a car chase scene ending up with someone crashing into a random pile of stacked boxes.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite badass lady lead would either be Sarah Connor from T1/T2 or Ripley from the Alien franchise. They both went from zero to hero in just the right amount of time. Speaking of older flicks, yes, Sleepaway Camp is a ... well, different. The sequels are somewhat odd but watchable. Cheers, fellow movie-goer! :D
I completely agree, the trope takes a lot of suspense out of slasher films. It leaves me absolutely without surprise and completely bored!
DeleteI absolutely love Ripley from Alien! That film has to be one of my absolute favorites. Sleepaway camp is definitely an interesting take on the slasher genre, and I guess that's why it's one of my favorites.
As a horror film lover, I am upset to say that I've never seen Sleepaway Camp, but now it has moved to the very top of my movie marathon list! A female serial killer would be interesting to see, as I have only ever been familiar with the predominant male. I want more movies with maniacal female leads that play on the damsel in distress trope, but bury it by the middle of the movie to reveal to the audience that they are the villain.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll be very pleased with Sleepaway Camp, it's know for it's surprise "twist" at the end of the film. It is considerably different from most slasher films, but it does leave you overall very surprised at the end. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI think the new Halloween film that came out this year with Jamie Lee Curtis is as good as it gets these days. As a female lead over age 50, Curtis killed the horror film game this year... pun 100% intended. It's not often we see the same lead role return to a remake of the same film so many years later but it sure is an interesting spin on it.
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