The Film: A Nightmare on Elm Street

On 7th May, horror lovers in the UK were given another flick to sink their teeth into, or in this case claws in the form of a re-make of the classic A Nightmare on Elm Street. The films were originally created by the legendary Wes Craven, but this updated version comes to us from director Samuel Bayer.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)
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Directed by
Samuel Bayer

Starring
Jackie Earle Haley
Kyle Gallner
Rooney Mara

Release Date
7th May 2010

Certificate
18[/info]

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, as a big fan of the original films I was worried I would be disappointed, However, I was very wrong to think so and the film gave more than expected. It follows the story of college kids who start to have similar dreams featuring a man with clawed metal gloves who attacks them in their sleep. They believe they all met one another in college but soon start to realise their paths may have crossed much earlier, that the man from their dreams plays a big part in it and they get the feeling their parents are hiding something from them.

In true fashion to the originals the storyline is pretty similar and I was pleased when Bayer decided to keep the original children’s chant of, “1, 2, Freddy’s coming for you, 3, 4, better lock the door, 5, 6, pick up your crucifix, 7, 8, better stay up late, 9, 10, never sleep again” whilst having the haunting image of children skipping over a rope on a hopscotch board which will please fans of the originals.

Jackie Earle Haley who recently played the role of Rorschach in the adaptation of Alan Moore’s graphic novel, Watchmen, steps straight into the role of Freddie Kruger perfectly. The character of Kruger is nightmarish, fitting as he enters dreams and turns them into horrific nightmares. For those unfamiliar with the original movies, Freddie kills his victims in their dreams which causes their death in real life. Haley is rather different to Robert Enguland who played the original role and whereas the Enguland's Freddy was more comical, Haley plays Freddy in a more realistic way. This makes the character all the more frightening, especially during flashbacks where you’re almost convinced Freddy is innocent and have a brief moment of feeling sorry for him.

The special effects are pretty good, there are a great deal of minor details and small touches to the movie that added that extra creepiness from pigs’ heads boiling to it snowing indoors; the film definitely has some brilliant moments. The way which Freddy looks keeps true to the original character too with the striped jumper, hat and burnt face although in this film his face is far more gruesome and much more realistic.

One of the changes in this remake is the amplification of ideas that were only implied in the first films. Freddy has always acted perverted and made innuendos towards the girls, however the films only really ever suggested he was a child killer and that he harmed the children with violence. There were hints towards sexual abuse and in one film Nancy calls him a child molester but not in the same way the remake has decided to take. I think it works but wonder if it makes it a little too awkward at times, but the horror ‘comic relief’ as it were comes from Freddy’s rude jokes and comments to the kids now they’re older.

The ending of the film was in many ways predictable if nothing else then simply because it lives up to the motifs of the genre. It offers a ‘shock’ cliff-hanger which I won’t spoil for everyone but is one of those moments that define so many horror movies in a moment of shock, horror and laughter.

Anyone who says the horror genre is dead may have a point as on the one hand as horror films do tend to repeat themselves, however this remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street proves that you can still find some good gore, suspense and a decent plot in contemporary horror films. In my opinion, the film isn’t as good as the originals, but if you were a fan of them then I suggest you go and see it as one thing is for sure, Freddy is back.

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