The slasher movie genre is not easily definable, but generally refers to films about violent killers who stalk and murder people, often teenagers. However, these movies are more than just gore and violence, as they often feature morality plays in which the immoral characters are punished, and the virtuous ones survive, albeit traumatized. The inclusion of a “final girl” who survives the carnage and confronts the killer is a defining feature of the genre.
While there may be textbook definitions of slasher movies, horror fans have an innate sense of what makes a great slasher film. The Digital Fix, a website known for its love of horror movies, has compiled a list of the top 10 best slasher movies of all time.
The list includes a mix of classic and modern films, with Happy Death Day, Friday the 13th, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, Child’s Play, Scream, Opera, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Halloween. These movies vary in their approach to the genre, but all have stood the test of time and remain popular among horror fans.
Happy Death Day is a recent addition to the genre, featuring a college student who relives the same day over and over again, with each day ending in her murder. Friday the 13th is a classic slasher film that spawned numerous sequels and imitators, featuring a group of teenagers stalked by a mysterious killer at a summer camp. Tucker and Dale vs Evil takes a comedic approach to the genre, while Child’s Play features a killer doll.
Scream is a self-aware film that comments on the genre and its tropes, while Opera is a lesser-known but visually stunning film from Italian horror master Dario Argento. A Nightmare on Elm Street features a killer who attacks teenagers in their dreams, while Psycho is a Hitchcock classic featuring a motel owner with a disturbing secret. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a gritty and brutal film that still shocks audiences today, while Halloween is a suspenseful and iconic film that established many of the genre’s tropes.
Overall, the best slasher movies are those that combine suspense, gore, and a sense of morality, while still being entertaining and memorable. These films have become classics for a reason and continue to captivate audiences with their scares and thrills.
