The 13 Key Elements of a Slasher Movie with 10 Slasher Movie Examples

The slasher movie sub-genre could be considered one of the most controversial sub-genres in cinema. With its stark violence, it’s often the subject of discussions around the effect of slasher films on society at large.

These films burrow into our deepest fears and take hold of the wider imagination. They provide some of cinema’s most iconic moments and some of its most terrifying. And they hold a unique place in their ability to scare and shock.

But how do you write a slasher film? What are the key elements of this notable and unique sub-genre? All slasher films share commonalities and often follow a specific set of rules. In this article, we will focus on the slasher sub-genre as a whole and look at the best way into writing this often controversial but gripping genre.

*This article may contain spoilers.

What is a Slasher Movie?

A slasher movie is a horror sub-genre that involves the murdering of a number of people by a psychopathic killer, typically via a knife or bladed tool (such as a scythe).

In general, the horror genre is known for its fear, violence and terror. It will typically feature a menacing villain, whether it be a monster or a supernatural evil spirit, for example.

But a slasher movie specifically can prey on audiences’ most palpable fears. It boils down the horror genre to simple terms – a crazed killer with a crude weapon on the hunt for blood.

In general, horror intends to leave the audience in a state of unease and trepidation. The genre branches into many different categories. For example, the main sub-genres of the horror genre, along with slashers, include:

• Psychological Horror – Phobias and home invasions e.g. The Purge.
• Paranormal Horror – Supernatural possession e.g. The Haunting in Connecticut.
• Comedy Horror – Black comedy and satire e.g. Get Out.
• Monster Horror – Zombies, mythological creatures, vampires and werewolves e.g. Dawn of the Dead.
• Found Footage – Documentary-style e.g. The Blair Witch Project.
• Body Horror – Body Modifications e.g. American Mary.

Horror movies usually fit into hybrid genres. For example, the Saw franchise can be seen as a slasher-mystery. And most slasher films that feature a masked killer often involve the theme of mystery; where neither the characters nor the audience know the killer’s identity and it’s either kept a mystery or is revealed by the finale.

Whilst there are a number of overlaps between the different horror sub-genres, the slasher movie will contain a number of key and specific elements. Let’s look at what those elements are…