Final Girl Theory

The final girl is a trope in horror films (particularly slasher films). It refers to the last woman alive to confront the killer, and the one left to tell the story. She is often the most pure character regarded to as the ‘virgin’ and is presented to be intelligent and resourceful. The theory was discovered by Carol J Clover who examined slasher movies and noticed the pattern.

• Alien
• Halloween
• Scream
• Cabin In The Woods
• Nightmare On Elm Street

The theory will have an influence on the audience by changing their train of thought about stereotypical female characters. Firstly they will be put in the perspective of the killer, however latter on in the film there will be a shift to the perspective of the final girl.

Villains In Horror Films 

Fred Krueger (Nightmare On Elm Street) – finger knives – he tried to kill characters in their dream due to get revenge on parents that killed him in real life.

Scream (Scream) – Knives – killed people by stabbing them multiple times due to get revenge

Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) – chainsaw – chased victims with a chainsaw