This was a theory that was created by Carol J. Clover in her book “Men, Women and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film”.The final girl has an androgynous (unisex) name, is known to be a virgin and pure; sometimes described as innocent; and tries to avoid sins or maybe a shared history with the killer. Examples of the final girl can be found in films such as; The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974/2003), Friday 13th (1980), Scream (1996), Alien (1979), Halloween (1978) and Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). It refers to the last person standing, who is usually a female, in horror films - particularly slasher films. The final girl is also the one who generally tells the story.
The final character must show terror in order for the audience to associate themselves with and so Clover argues that the final character must be female, as a male-dominated audience would reject the portrayal of terror in the hypothetical "final male". So whilst the killer is male, the audience is rooting for the final girl to win. Thus, the final girl theory was the turning point in Feminist Horror Film Theory.
Androgynous: Having male and female characteristics. Hard to distinguish if it is a man or woman.
The final character must show terror in order for the audience to associate themselves with and so Clover argues that the final character must be female, as a male-dominated audience would reject the portrayal of terror in the hypothetical "final male". So whilst the killer is male, the audience is rooting for the final girl to win. Thus, the final girl theory was the turning point in Feminist Horror Film Theory.
Androgynous: Having male and female characteristics. Hard to distinguish if it is a man or woman.
Examples of Final Girls:
(Nancy Thompson - Nightmare on Elm Street)
(Ellen Ripley - Alien)
(Sidney - Scream)
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