Horror is a broad canvas that covers many unique sub-genres, from zombie movies to haunted house flicks. None of them are as intertwined with the genre, however, as slasher horror movies. Some of horror’s biggest movies are slashers, with the sub-genre birthing some of the most recognizable characters in cinema. Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Michael Myers have all transcended the medium to become essential parts of popular culture.
Everyone can remember the first time they watched a slasher movie, most likely as a child hiding behind a sofa, equally enthralled and terrified by what was happening. Good slasher films stay with you for days as the kills and thrills play over in your head, but the best slasher movies stay with you forever, with some of the genre’s best movies helping to shape their fans into who they are.
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‘Urban Legend’ (1998)
Starring Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Tara Reid, and Michael Rosenbaum, the slasher thriller film marks the first installment in the titular film series. Set in the fictional Pendleton University in New England, Urban Legend follows a series of gruesome murders that resemble old urban legends, turning the peaceful campus into a hunting ground for a maniacal killer. When a student, Natalie (Witt), notices the pattern of killing, she resolves to stop the bloodbath before she becomes the next target.
Upon its release, Urban Legends was panned by critics and received mixed reviews from fans; yet, over the years, it has become a popular ’90s slasher thriller, spawning two sequels. Despite its flaws, Urban Legend adheres to the standard tropes of old-school slashers, featuring a tricky plot, surprise twists, and a final girl saving the day, all delivered through edgy humor. These elements come together to make Haunt a watchable slasher movie. —Maddie P
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‘Haunt’ (2019)
Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods of A Quiet Place and Heretic fame, Haunt follows a group of friends seeking wild thrills, discover a haunted house experience promising to be unique and extreme, and decide to explore on Halloween night. They soon find themselves in deadly scenarios and realize that the performers are not just actors but have murderous intent, targeting each of their friends’ deepest fears.
Set on Halloween, Haunt makes for a timely slasher to watch during the spooky season. Even though the film’s spooks and scares are not highly innovative or imaginative, it contains all the essential ingredients that a scary slasher needs. The plot lines and killings are heavily influenced by genre hits like The Funhouse and Saw, which work in favor of Haunt, driving enough chills and thrills in its haunted house trope that would appeal to slasher horror fans. —Maddie P
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‘Pearl’ (2022)
Before she was the menacing figure in X, Pearl was a dreamer in the highly-rated 2022 horror film Pearl. Back in 1918, young Pearl (Mia Goth) is trapped on her family’s desolate Texas farm. Her desires for a life beyond the fields, fueled by the glam of Hollywood, are constantly stifled by her overbearing mother. As her frustrations mount, Pearl’s grip on reality loosens, and her yearning for escape transforms into a blood-soaked nightmare.
The film’s vibrant Technicolor-inspired visuals create a jarring contrast to the brutal murders committed by Pearl. Goth’s captivating performance, shifting seamlessly between fragility and unhinged rage, has been praised by viewers again. While some parts of the film have been turned into memes, Pearl’s climax, where an eight-minute monologue sees Pearl confess her sins to Mitsy (Emma Jenkins-Purro) before taking her life, further highlights just how good of an actress Goth is.
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‘Wes Craven’s New Nightmare’ (1994)
Freddy Krueger was reborn in the 1994 film Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. Taking on the familiar terror of Elm Street and injecting it with a dose of metafiction, Actress Heather Langenkamp, known for her role as Nancy, becomes the target of Freddy (Robert Englund), who has now crossed into reality. The meta film becomes a terrifying exploration of the power of horror, as Langenkamp must confront her own creation to save herself and her son Dylan (Miko Hughes).
New Nightmare deconstructs the slasher genre by bringing Freddy Krueger into the “real world.” It’s a film that forces audiences to confront the anxieties and fears associated with the stories we consume. The movie’s metafictional approach, combined with the return of Langenkamp and a truly terrifying iteration of Freddy, is an enjoyable experience that has taken slasher fans by surprise.
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‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (2003)
Who knew that a road trip through the desolate heart of Texas could turn into a horrifying fight for survival? The 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre sees a group of friends — Erin (Jessica Biel), Kemper (Eric Balfour), and their companions — bump into a nightmare when they encounter a hitchhiker with a disturbing secret. Their journey takes a gruesome turn as they cross paths with Leatherface (Andrew Bryniarski) and his cannibalistic family.
Despite not being warmly received by critics, the 2003 Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake still deserves praise. It has an unrelenting brutality and oppressive atmosphere that is palpable to viewers. The chilling mood of the movie is further amplified by the muted cinematography and Biel’s powerful performance as the resilient Erin. While some argue that it doesn’t carry the grittiness that made the original a fun film, the remake succeeds in revitalizing the franchise for modern audiences. That said, there are some avid horror fans who have said that the remake is more disturbing than the original.
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‘Cherry Falls’ (2000)
Cherry Falls flips the script on the slasher genre, making virginity a death sentence. In the movie, a mysterious killer stalks the town and preys on innocent high school students. The town’s sheriff, Brent Marken (Michael Biehn), struggles to maintain order while protecting his daughter Jody (Brittany Murphy), who finds herself in the killer’s crosshairs. Eventually, the town descends into chaos as the students, led by Jody, take matters into their own hands with a shockingly unconventional plan.
Cherry Falls has earned a devoted following for its bold premise and slightly comedic approach to horror. It can’t be denied that it has a satirical take on the slasher genre, but Murphy’s compelling performance as the resourceful Jody makes it a memorable watch. Apart from its bloody scenes, Cherry Falls is also full of sharp commentary, especially as it highlights the anxieties and pressures faced by teenagers regarding sex.
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‘Scream 4’ (2011)
A new generation of horror fans has been reintroduced to Ghostface in 2011. Scream 4 brings back Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) to Woodsboro, where a new wave of terror is unleashed upon a group of unsuspecting teenagers. This time, the killer is using social media and technology to amplify their reign of terror, forcing Sidney to confront the ghosts of her past while trying to protect her young cousin Jill (Emma Roberts) from becoming a victim.
While it didn’t reach the same heights as the original film, Scream 4 proved that the franchise still had plenty of life left in it. Wes Craven’s direction, as well as Campbell’s resurrection of her beloved character, ensured that the film retained the spirit of its predecessors. Without a doubt, Scream 4 is a worthy addition to the franchise as it delivers the same kind of chills and thrills.
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‘The Mutilator’ (1984)
The Mutilator is an 80s slasher film that opens with a terrible flashback: Ed (Matt Mitler) accidentally kills his mother while he cleans his father’s guns. Now in college, Ed goes back to his family’s beach house to have fun with his friends. But the house isn’t the only thing waiting for him. His father, fueled by rage and anger, has decided to murder Ed and his friends in a creative and gruesome fashion.
The Mutilator defies expectations for a slasher film. Despite its budget limitations and some amateur acting, the movie wins fans with its self-aware humor, including a nonsensical plot and jarring outtakes. The film also offers a unique twist by making its group of friends, though minimally developed, more relatable than the usual slasher fodder, heightening the audience’s investment in their bloody fates.
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‘Hush’ (2016)
Mike Flanagan deserves to be known more for his acclaimed horror Netflix projects. He’s also directed the 2016 horror film Hush, which focuses on a deaf and mute author, Maddie Young (Kate Siegel). Seeking solitude in a remote cabin to fuel her creativity, her peace is shattered when a masked stalker (John Gallagher Jr.) discovers her vulnerability. He terrorizes her by exploiting her disability, turning their isolated environment into a terrifying game of cat and mouse.
With limited ways to communicate and defend herself, Maddie must outsmart this relentless attacker to survive. Instead of relying on gore, Hush masterfully builds tension through silence. The sound design puts viewers in Maddie’s shoes, amplifying the smallest noises until they scream with terror. Maddie’s internal monologue, used sparingly, connects viewers to her fight for survival, making Hush a suspense-filled masterpiece.
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‘Out of the Dark’ (1988)
Terror takes center stage in Out of the Dark, where a Los Angeles phone sex hotline becomes a hunting ground for a masked killer named Bobo the Clown (William Ostrander). The villain begins eliminating the operators one by one. The remaining staff, including the tenacious Sarah (Kami Cotter) and the alluring Kristi (Peg Shirley), fear for their lives as they try their best to survive the night and unmask the killer.
Viewers should brace themselves for a twisted plot with red herrings and suspicious characters at every turn. The movie’s suspenseful blend of horror and neo-noir will leave viewers unsettled. The film’s ability to create a unique atmosphere has also been commended, with the thick tension fueled by the constant threat of the masked killer.
