Opening Statement

A Nightmare on Elm Street is a favorite franchise horror film to many; it is one of the most important films in my life. In fact, it is the first film I ever recall seeing. Our first is always special — by Aaron Pinkston, October 30, 2017

In Context: Fears Real and Imagined in 1984

A Nightmare on Elm Street was released in 1984, which feels significant thanks to Freddy’s backstory. Wes Craven made Krueger a pedophile, specifically a child killer, which feels strangely atypical for other villains of the slasher genre. Why does this matter, and more specifically, why does it matter in 1984? — by Sarah Gorr, October 31, 2017

First Viewing: Is It Still Scary?

When I sat down to watch A Nightmare on Elm Street for the first time the other night, I wanted a nightmare. I wanted the film to recreate the kind of fear I had as a child that had me truly believing that my life was in danger. I’m always looking for that unbridled, unmediated fear in a horror movie, and I never find it — by Alex Moore, November 1, 2017

The Nightmare Continues

It’s actually pretty miraculous that the character of Freddy Krueger came so fully formed in the first film. The elements are all there—the razor fingers, the fire-scarred face, the surreal dream kills, the dark backstory of the child murderer let go on a technicality — by Kevin Taylor, November 2, 2017

A Walk Down Elm Street

Like all the early horror franchises that started in the late 70s-early 80s, A Nightmare on Elm Street was never intended to be a multi-film franchise—at least by its creators. Wes Craven originally conceived of an ending that was a bit more definitive: Nancy kills Freddy, wakes up to discover the whole incident had been a dream — by Aaron Pinkston, November 3, 2017

The Cinessential Podcast, Ep. 24

The Cinessential editors Aaron Pinkston and Sarah Gorr bring you a spooky Halloween episode of the podcast as they talk about Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street. Topics include: the film's creepiest scenes, the well-rounded teenager and adult characters, Freddy Krueger beginnings, and more! — November 3, 2017