Day 27: A Nightmare on Elm Street

27. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Dir: Wes Craven
Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss

I can't believe I've reviewed 26 films without any significant mention of Horror director Wes Craven, so today we'll be looking at what's easily his most popular and memorable film A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Known for carving out a career in horror with films such as The Last House on the Left (1972) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977), Craven often liked to tweak the nature of reality and Nightmare is probably his strongest example. So how did Craven dream up the infamous undead serial killer Freddy Krueger? Well the infamous "Springwood Slasher" was a composite of many different ideas. The character itself was based off a handful of things Craven had experienced in his life, including a homeless man that frightened him as a youth and a childhood bully who's name was in fact Fred Krueger. The element of being killed in your sleep also stemmed from a true story about Cambodian children who had such terrifying nightmares that they eventually died in their sleep. Now that's messed up shit there and a great concept for a grisly slasher flick.

The film follows Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) and her friends as they all start having nightmares featuring a deceased serial killer known as Freddy Krueger. Soon enough the teens are slowly taken out in violent dreams until Nancy can find a way to defeat the heartless killer.

Just about every death is pretty memorable in this movie and the effects are great, but what really seals the deal is the film's iconic villain. With his striped sweater, fedora hat, burnt flesh, and clawed glove he's a pretty sickening image of terror that cult actor Robert Englund has really brought to life.



Now I'm not really a fan of this series, but I certainly have respect for the inventiveness and creativity of the first film. A Nightmare on Elm Street was probably one of the few slasher films at the time to have a well constructed story with such strong visuals. I hear they're are remaking it for some reason and will most likely not cast Robert Englund in the role he made famous, now that's truly a shame. All these 80s movie remakes are the real nightmare.

Fright Fact: Over 500 gallons of fake blood was used during the making of the film.

Horror Highlight: Here's a scene where a young Johnny Depp falls prey to Freddy, which includes an impressive effect.