Horror character analysis - Freddy Krueger

The horror character I have chosen for this task is Frederick Charles also known as "Freddy" Krueger. Freddy is the horror character from the A Nightmare on Elm Street series of films. There are 8 A Nightmare on Elm Street films including a 2010 remake of the original 1984 film, also Freddy shares a role in Freddy vs. Jason. Freddy plays in 9 horror films ranging from 1984 to 2010 making him a well known historic horror character.

The A Nightmare on Elm Street series are American slasher films that consist of Freddy stalking teenagers and then killing them in their dreams, but it was not just a nightmare, what would happen in their dreams would affect them in the real world.

The background of Freddy is very disturbing but explains why he does what he does. The reason behind Freddy stalking and killing teenagers is for revenge. He kills the teenagers of parents that once burned him alive. This storyline was expanded during the television series and each episode had a different individual plot. Novels were next written but didn't follow the series of films or television series. The original film and storyline was written and directed by Wes Craven.

To look at Freddy is very scary, I think the outside of Freddy is meant to be the flesh and muscle that lays beneath the skin, from when he was once burned alive. Seeing someone without any skin or hair is surreal and unnatural, which we find frightening. The horror character always has an iconic mark on them that makes them known as the bad guy from the start, this can range from a sinister looking scare on their face to having nails sticking out of their head/face, like Pinhead.

Freddy also has a metal glove with blades on the ends of the finger tips that he uses to kill his victims. Having blades attached to your fingers would make killing victims much easier, there's nothing to hold and there is nothing to drop. One sweep or claw with the hand would slice through the victims making the glove horrific and something to fear. Every scary horror character has an iconic prop they use to kill their victims for example, Ghostface from the series of Scream films uses a hunting knife, Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre uses a chainsaw, Jack from The Shining uses a axe to kill his victims. All these weapons are just tools are sharp objects anybody could buy or find, Freddy's glove is very unique and rare, the idea of it is simply genius and they are impossible to find or buy, by the looks of it he had made it himself which means he is smart and is always thinking about killing. Freddy has invented a killing device which is on another level of evil, making him more sinister and making the audience fear him.

Freddy wears normal everyday clothing which may be a disguise to try hide his appearance whilst stalking the teenagers in the real world. The trilby hat and striped jumper have now become iconic clothing which is recognised almost worldwide, this basic iconic outfit has also become a typical Halloween costume.

Here is the original 1984 trailer for A Nightmare on Elm Street. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdb_HSvf2Zk

Here is the 2010 remake trailer for the same film. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuYoEtEI_go

The 2010 trailer shows you Krueger's death and reason behind why he's stalking and killing these teenagers. I couldn't find a 1984 trailer that did the same, I haven't watched the 1984 film either so I'm not sure if it shows and explains why Krueger is doing this. I think it is always crucial to show the reason behind why the killer is seeking revenge because it is more understanding to those who didn't look into the film plot.

It is obvious straight away the Freddy has changed, he is more animated now in the 2010 film, making his flesh and wounds seem more realistic and believable. The glove in the 2010 also looks different, it looks more modern and mechanical, also I noticed the blades on the end of the fingers are sharper and bigger.

Overall, Freddy is a legendary horror character, attacking his victims in their lonely dreams where they are unable to get anyone's help or stop Freddy from what he is doing. His glove is iconic and a horrific genius invention, doing what Freddy has set out for, killing the teenagers of the parents that burned him alive. The storyline is terrifying and amazing as well as the film.