Slasher movies are a foundational element of the horror genre, having evolved significantly since their inception. Drawing inspiration from cinematic milestones like Psycho, <em>Peeping Tom</em>, and the Italian giallo movement, filmmakers in the 1970s began to shape the slasher subgenre. The game-changer was John Carpenter’s Halloween, which not only became a massive success but also established slashers as the dominant horror category for the entire 1980s. Since then, the genre has experienced various resurgences, with new generations of directors continually reinventing and refreshing the slasher format for modern audiences.
Every devoted slasher enthusiast has their personal favorites, ranging from iconic classics to those that left critics like Siskel & Ebert grappling with their moral implications. Just like Jason Voorhees navigating a hardware store, the options are overwhelming. Each decade has introduced innovative methods for hormonal teens to meet their fates. To celebrate the evolution of this genre, we present ten essential slasher movies that every horror aficionado should experience.
10
‘Terrifier 2’
Directed by Damien Leone
Numerous contemporary filmmakers have attempted to carve their names alongside legendary slasher icons like Freddy and Jason. Crafting a new slasher figure is a monumental task, yet Damien Leone achieved this with Art the Clown, the terrifying character at the heart of the Terrifier franchise. Initially introduced in a series of short films by Leone, Art gained notoriety as a formidable slasher when David Howard Thornton brought him to life in his first feature-length appearance.
The original Terrifier laid the groundwork for Art?s brutal style and introduced him to a wider audience, but it was Terrifier 2 that truly established Art as a slasher icon. This sequel is an epic horror film that escalates the gore factor significantly and offers Art fierce competition in the form of a tenacious final girl, portrayed by Lauren LaVera. Fans of gore will relish the lengths to which Leone and his team go with the killings in Terrifier 2, demonstrating that for Art the Clown, there’s no kill like overkill.
Terrifier 2
- Release Date
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October 6, 2022
- Runtime
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140 minutes
- Director
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Damien Leone
9
‘My Bloody Valentine’ (1981)
Directed by George Mihalka
Numerous holiday-themed slasher films exist, providing fictional teens the opportunity to mark their tragic demises on the calendar. While Christmas and Halloween are understandably the most notorious occasions for horror, various other designated days have birthed memorable slasher films like Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving and the straightforwardly titled April Fool’s Day. However, the standout among these alternative holiday slashers is the iconic Canadian cult classic My Bloody Valentine.
Set against the backdrop of the Great White North, specifically in the small mining town of Valentine Bluffs, this 1980s slasher excels due to its atmospheric environment, a cast of relatable working-class characters, and the intense mystery surrounding the killer?s identity. The plot revolves around a group of young miners who celebrate on their town’s namesake holiday, but their festivities take a dark turn when a pickaxe-wielding maniac in a mining mask disrupts the fun. This killer may be a former miner who succumbed to madness after being trapped during a cave-in. It?s a thrilling, chilling slasher that serves as the perfect counterpoint to the sugary romantic comedies typically released in February.
8
‘Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives’ (1986)
Directed by Tom McLoughlin
Jason Voorhees is arguably the quintessential slasher of the 1980s. The Friday the 13th franchise consistently released installments almost every year, establishing Jason as the face of slasher cinema. Although the series enjoyed widespread success, many of its earlier films have not aged well. They possess a certain low-budget charm but often suffer from slow pacing. Notably, Jason does not become the primary killer until the second film, and his iconic hockey mask only appears in the third.
<em>Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives</em> stands out as a fan favorite, lauded for its dynamic characters, increased budget, and clever humor. While it may not be the scariest film in the franchise, it is often regarded as the most well-executed entry, fully embracing its slasher roots. Nearly a decade ahead of Scream, Jason Lives offered a self-aware commentary on its own genre, beginning with a Bond-esque opening featuring the silent killer. This film set a playful template for subsequent Friday the 13th films to follow.
7
‘Candyman’ (1992)
Directed by Bernard Rose
