The archetypes of "bogeyman" and "final girl" within the slasher horror sub-genre: an enquiry into socio-cultural values

Abstract

Drawing on Carol Clover’s theory of the male antagonist or "Bogeyman" and the female protagonist or "Final Girl" that define the American Slasher Horror sub-genre, I analyzed two original Slasher films, namely Halloween (Carpenter 1978) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (Craven 1984). I later outlined the evolution of these conventions within the Slasher sub-genre, using the remakes of both films respectively. I then endeavoured to explain the subversion of these conventions in France with the New French Extremity Movement, and analyse how these filmmakers successfully transposed a typical American subgenre to France. Finally, using New French Extremity, I attempted to subvert and transpose these conventions to South Africa by writing, producing and directing a short Slasher film titled The Teddy Bear Man.