Horror movies have long featured a character known as the “final girl,” a female protagonist who survives until the end of the movie when most, if not all, other characters do not. This trope, which has become a staple in the genre, has been explored and celebrated by authors and horror enthusiasts alike. Stephen Graham Jones, author of “My Heart Is a Chainsaw,” is a big fan of the final girl trope, stating that they are nature’s antidote to the cycle of violence in slasher films.
In an interview on the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast, host David Barr Kirtley explains that final girls tap into our natural tendency to root for the underdog. It is seen as a greater accomplishment for a young woman to defeat the antagonist compared to a seasoned, physically strong character. Final girls are not only physically weaker, but they also possess tenacity and persistence, constantly trying new strategies and refusing to give up. This determination separates them from other characters who may possess more physical strength but lack the same level of resilience.
While final girls have been a common presence in horror movies, the trope has been less prevalent in books until recently. Theresa DeLucci, a horror author, highlights that a newer generation of authors is exploring the idea of final girls in greater depth. They focus not only on their external experiences but also delve into their emotions, trauma, and the lasting impacts it has on their lives. By shifting the perspective to the final girls themselves, these authors offer a fresh take on the trope and explore new dimensions of storytelling.
Stephen Graham Jones shares his love for the horror film “Scream,” describing how it rewired his brain and sparked his fascination with the final girl trope. This movie, which cleverly subverted horror film conventions, made Jones realize the value of exploring the final girl archetype both as a fan and as a writer. It opened up new avenues of analysis, inspiring him to delve deeper into the tropes, themes, and patterns within horror films.
Theresa DeLucci, on the other hand, reflects on her discomfort with the sexualization and violence against women in horror films. She describes a distressing experience at a horror convention, where she was the only woman in the audience during a screening of films notorious for their objectification and violence towards women. She felt overwhelmed by the content and realized the movies were not made for her. However, she notes that there is now a positive shift in movies and fiction where the trend towards sexualizing female characters right from the start is less prevalent.
Grady Hendrix, author of “The Final Girl Support Group,” discusses the concept of death in slasher movies. He emphasizes how death is the great equalizer, ultimately coming for everyone. The slasher genre provides a cathartic experience by leveling the playing field, where no one is safe from the masked killer, regardless of their characteristics or background. By portraying the demise of various characters, the genre highlights the universality of death and confronts mortality head-on.
Hendrix also shares his personal connection to the final girl archetype. As a child who was not allowed to watch R-rated movies, he would read about them and pretend he had seen them to fit in. He recalls a significant moment where he saw the cover of Fangoria magazine featuring “Friday the 13th Part 2,” which subverted expectations by killing off the previous film’s final girl early on. This twist deeply affected Hendrix, as he identified with the character and felt like it was his own death being portrayed. This emotional connection serves as the foundation for his book, “The Final Girl Support Group.”
The exploration of the final girl trope in both film and literature has evolved over time. While it originally focused on the survival of a female character, it has grown to encompass themes of resilience, trauma, and the lasting impact of violence. As new authors continue to explore and expand upon this concept, the final girl trope remains a valuable and nuanced aspect of horror storytelling.