The Sub-Genre ofSlasher Its Codes and Conventions

By Rachel Williams

What is a Slasher film?

Here are some typically appearing themes:•A psychopathic masked killer stalking and systematically butchering a group of young adults.•Usually away from parent supervision.•Eventually the last standing victim – usually a virgin/female - prevails and defeats the killer, putting an end to the carnage.

The KillerUsually an ordinary person who has suffered from great trauma or injustice in their life. The victims are never random and are linked to the killers past. The killing streak is a way to get revenge.

The Killer Usually masked to keep the identity a secret until the final scene. The killer is often large and always implied to be male. They are depicted in such a way that suggests they have super strength and an unrealistic immortality.

WeaponsChoices include; swords, razors, knives, axes, arrows, saws, drills, scythes, hammers, spears, machetes. Basically anything that “slashes” or any sharp object that may be lying around.

SettingUsually set in a high school/college, at home, in the woods, summer camp or in a creepy house in the middle of no-where.

Suburban places are used a lot because it helps the audience to have a sense of fear.

CharactersThe sole survivor at the end is usually a female and is the representation of innocence. They usually have dark hair and are more plain than the rest of the girls who die through the film. The usually endure a chase and a confrontation with killer at the end of the film.

CharactersThe surviving character usually starts with a group of friends. Each individual frequently represent one of these stereotypes:The bimboThe jockThe badass/outcastThe popular girlThe nice guyThe nerdThe token black guy

Other characters consist of an older “wise” character, the ineffective figure of authority and the killer themselves.