Very well deserved "classic" status.

Rating: Null/10 (19 August 2006)

Essential, well deserved "class in the genre" status.
"A Nightmare On Elm Street" is a unique Horror movie that successfully explores a common fear in humans : dreams. In this movie, a killer known as Fred Krueger uses dreams as his method for entering in the real world. Krueger turns dreams into deadly nightmares.
This is truly Craven's Horror classic. "A Nightmare..." has set rules than only a few brave have managed to copy. Even though that Craven's killer in this movie is severely influenced by the Slasher craziness from the 80's, he is a scary concept in all the sense of the word. He can control nightmares and then kill his victims while they sleep. The concept is very scary but it's better executed. Craven's direction is classy and at some points looks like a real nightmare. The atmosphere is dark, unsettling through all the running time. There ain't no room for black humor or cheesiness. This movie goes directly to the point and manages to play with the audience's emotions.
Also, the acting is really great. Specially by John Saxon and Robert Englund who carry the movie on their back. The rest of the young cast (including Johnny Depp) is fair good. The score is brilliantly scary. So when you have the correct elements to make a good Horror movie, think about "A Nightmare..." as a perfect example.
I don't want to spoil this for those unfortunate who haven't seen it. Please, do yourself a favor and get this modern classic in the genre. It's not a defining movie but it surely is one of the best Horror movies from the 80's. Meet Freddy Krueger, the character that will mostly appear in your real life nightmares.