31 Days of Horror Movies

31 Days of Horror Movies - Day 15

For our 15th entry, we thought we would offer a real treat and what better way than with one of the most famous horror characters of all time. This entry is also one of the first horror movies in our list that deals directly with dreams and nightmares...

"One, two, Freddy's coming for you

Three, Four, better lock your door..."

Day 15 - A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Don't worry we are not picking the forgettable 2010 remake, we are going with the Wes Craven classic. A Nightmare on Elm Street manages to add a healthy dose of imaginative visuals, a wildly outrageous character, and nightmarish concepts that still haunt pop culture today. Released in 1984, Craven's film feels like the "shot of energy" that the slasher subgenre needed and in the process created something unforgettable. The story of a group of teens who get killed in their dreams by a notorious killer in their dreams still haunts our collective dreams to this day. Not only does it have one of the best performances in the genre with Robert Englund but it is a horror movie that mixes slasher and the supernatural with effortless ease thanks to Craven's attention to theme and story. Speaking of themes, Craven essentially crafts a film that is all about the "sins of the parents" where the teenagers have to rely on themselves to solve the problem. Craven explores fear through nightmares by tapping into what terrifies teenagers when they don't have help from the people that are supposed to be the first to believe them. A Nightmare on Elm Street also benefits from having an iconic musical score by Charles Bernstein, complete with transcendent bedtime song, and perfectly moody cinematography by Jacques Haitkin who shoots the film with a surreal lens that is ideal for Craven's nightmarish film. Whether its Englund's Freddy Krueger, the iconic dream sequences (the Tine in school death is absolutely terrifying), or even the delightfully imaginative concepts, A Nightmare on Elm Street should be required viewing for any self-respecting horror fan. The dream sequences don't get as insane as in the later sequels (which the majority of it are great), nothing beats the first film for sheer terror that unnerves with thought-provoking concepts, visuals, and gruesome practical effects. And if that is not enough, Craven also stacks his film with a fantastic cast including Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Amanda Wyss, Charles Fleischer, Ronee Blakley, Lin Shaye, and a young guy named Johnny Depp. If you have never seen the original Craven masterpiece or you've seen it countless times, this film will definitely keep you awake... just remember don't fall asleep.

*All of the recommendations that we make can be found at the El Paso Public Library Catalog!

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