Wes Craven was a genius!

Rating: 8/10 (25 October 2019)

Wes Craven really knew the horror genre like nobody else. A quick look at the body of work he created in his lifetime showcases some of the greatest stories in horror history. And the Elm Street series is no exception.
Perhaps his crowning achievement, this film still feels fresh and original to this day. It's the introduction we have to Freddy Krueger, the menacing bogeyman. And this isn't the Freddy Krueger that gets the most media attention, either: this isn't the wisecracking antihero. This is the man who works in the shadows, appearing only when it's absolutely necessary. His humour is pitch black and on point, and there's a serious vengeance in this film. This Freddy doesn't like to play with his kill.
The actors in this film, from Heather Langencamp to a young Johnny Depp to Robert Englund himself, give stellar performances, even when pitted against stunts that, at the time, would've been much more complex and complicated than today.
It's not the strongest entry in the series, but it's a remarkably solid introduction to one of horror's most iconic characters. It's a horror story the likes of which nobody had encountered prior.