Just try falling asleep in this film - you won't be able to!

Rating: 9/10 (7 December 2005)

There are two reasons you won't be able to fall asleep during Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street. Firstly, because it is such a fantastic film and you won't want to miss a second of it, and secondly, because Freddy will get you. At least, you may begin to believe that.
What's so great about A Nightmare on Elm Street (not just the first film, but the entire series in general), is that Freddy is a unique horror antagonist. He stalks you in your dreams - somewhere that is going to be hard for people to come and rescue you. Being inside someone's mind, Freddy knows his victims weakness's and can use this to his advantage.
Unlike other horrors which have a large cast of teens ready for the killing, the first Nightmare on Elm Street was limited to four, played by Nick Corri, Amanda Wyss, Johnny Depp and of course the fantastic Heather Langenkamp. The former three are all very good on their limited roles, but it is Heather Langenkamp as Nancy Thompson and co-icon of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise (alongside Robert Englund's Freddy Krueger) who really shines. Though Jamie Lee Curtis may be the Scream Queen (and rightfully so), Heather Langenkamp should be the Princess of Horror. Her character, Nancy is one tough cookie and fights back against Freddy, while the authority figures in the film, stumble about. John Saxon and Ronee Blakely play Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and both do a great job.
So while the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise may have made various mistakes in the later films, the first one remains a classic of the slasher genre, with a vibrant cast, awesome storyline, scary villain and great direction from the legendary Wes Craven.