Real scary. Wes Craven started a slasher genre phenomenon.

Rating: 10/10 (2 April 2006)

This 1984 horror-flick is without no question a film that will frighten you. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is a fantasy of terror, as director Wes Craven shows how a badly burned bogyman can kill and destroy a group of teens thru their dreams. When first seeing this as a small kid the burned face of Freddy would frighten me as when I would lay down at night you would think of his face, and not want to fall asleep! "Elm Street" has the gore, blood, and evil but unlike some horror films elm street's main theme is psychological. As one should know it's the fears of the mind that are the worst the things you imagine, that hurt you the most in the end. With this group of friends it is the psychology of their nightmares that kills the mind and brings death upon them. Watching this can get into your mind at a young age to be frightened, but as I grew older this film still stayed scary to me, but I learned to look at the realism and not be frightened. In my opinion Wes Craven made this film to show a connection and maybe bring some fright-realism attention to people about the issue of serial murders, and to remind them that we don't live in a good world. Also remember during this films release in 1984, the US was dealing with unsolved cases all over the 50 states. Craven knew an ugly face, a dirty hat and razor gloves would help start the slasher genre, and yes he did put a psychological fear in the public, with this slasher classic.