Fredd Krueger - Horror Character Analysis (Research)

Freddy Krueger

Freddy Krueger is well known for being the main antagonist from the series A Nightmare on Elm Street, which was originally released in 1984. In the film series there are 8 films in total, and the 2010 remake of the first film.  Freddy is very well known due to the spread of time featured on our screens, having the first film being 1984 through to the remake and final film in 2010.

Freddy’s character was created by Wez Craven and portrayed by Robert Ebglund, however in the 2010 remake portrayed by Jackie Earle Haley.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is an American horror slasher film. Freddy’s character appears in children’s dreams and kills them, but their dream would come to affect them in real life. The reason for Freddy doing this is because he is getting revenge.

Freddy’s character is very distinctive due to the scars covering his face due to burns. He also wears a red and green striped jumper, brown fedora and the metal-clawed glove on his right hand. Freddy’s burned face allows us to see the muscle and flesh that lies beneath our skin, and because this is a very unusual sight it appears frightening to us. All horror characters have an iconic look and prop, with Freddy it is his disfigured face and glove with blades attached. Due to the glove we instantly know he is out to attach and kill. With blades ready all you have to do is take a slash to injure someone. Due to the unusual prop he has it is clear it isn’t something you normally buy…again demonstrating his evil sprit, as it must have been made, making him even more sinister.  Even his clothes are iconic to his character and one of the ways of recognising him in the real world. They are regular clothes so he can try fit in.

In the newer 2010 remake we see Freddy’s appearance change but not in such a drastic way, however in a more realistic way due to the technology and makeup available.

We also learn about why Freddy kills children in their dreams and then real life, this is due to the at they he wanted to seek revenge. He originally kills children due to his “heritage” being from a family known for bad insane things. However he gets out free, so the parents of the children killed take it into their own hands burning him alive. Before he dies he strikes a deal with the devil, he can remain alive if he kills children in their dreams. Freddy’s character is somewhat meant to represent neglect and subconscious fears.