Diabolical Deviant – Freddy Krueger

Where do I begin when discussing the attributes of the nightmare man himself? Do I begin with his pathetically witty one-liners? Or the dreamy kills from the spawned film franchise?

Freddy Krueger is a villain of epic proportions when considering the 80s slasher films, mocking his victims before killing them in their dreams. Unstoppable like so many of his more silent counterparts in the 80s slasher films, Freddy lived on in the dream world waiting for his prey to fall asleep.

Freddy made his debut in A Nightmare on Elm Street in that dirty red and green sweater that was a Christmas reject with a brown fedora on his crispy burnt head. The sounds of his homemade glove with knives extending from each finger like nails on a chalkboard before we saw him in all his burned fleshy glory.

Before he stalked his victims in their dreams, Freddy Krueger was a child killer in Springwood, Ohio. After being freed on a legal technicality, Freddy was killed by the parents of the town, thinking their children were safe from his evil. How wrong those concerned parents were, Freddy haunts the children on Elm Street in their sleep.

Freddy’s Kills

A Nightmare on Elm Street – 4 kills

The original film delivered the classic death scenes of Tina and Glen. Tina’s grotesque movements on the walls and ceiling of the bedroom as she is being killed by Freddy in her dreams, and Glen is shredded, exploding in a fountain of blood after being sucked into his bed along with his television. Classic!

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge – 9 kills

It is strange to believe but the rarely spoken about and rarely seen second sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street has the most kills. Granted, Freddy uses the idiotic Jesse as a host body for the majority of the killings, but none the less the sheer number of kills at least gives this sequel some recognition.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors – 6 kills

It has to be mentioned that the famed last girl standing Nancy Thompson from the original was the last kill of the third installment of the franchise. Nancy is beyond any help and dies even when Freddy’s bones are purified with holy water. Bye bye Nancy!

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master – 6 kills

The famous death scene that comes to my mind is Debbie and her bug phobia. She is transformed into a cockroach by Freddy in her dreams, trapping her in a roach motel. Freddy crushes her, bug guts spewing from the roach motel. Disgusting!

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child – 3 kills

Three words: comic book Freddy. Can this franchise get any more filled with obviously bad puns?

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare – 3 kills

What needs to be mentioned is not the bizarre and ludicrous death scenes (the Freddy video game) but Johnny Depp’s special cameo in a public service announcement, who is backhanded with a frying pan by Freddy Krueger.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare – 4 kills

Nancy Thompson is back but as the actress herself Heather Langenkamp, who is filming the new Nightmare on Elm Street movie. Bringing horror movies to the “real world,” Freddy can still deliver the kills.

Freddy vs. Jason – 1 kill

Let’s talk about why there is a measly single kill, Freddy was the man with the plan, being remembered can rejuvenate his dream abilities. However, he did not realize that his tool (Jason) to being remembered would kill every single victim in reality before Freddy could kill them in their dreams. Sad day! But at least these two heavyweight slashers had the opportunity to face off, I admit I enjoyed this little grudge match.

Freddy’s Memorable Quotes

“Come to Freddy.” – A Nightmare on Elm Street

“You’ve got the body… I’ve got the brains.” – A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge

“Welcome to prime time, bitch.” – A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

“Why don’t you… reach out… and cut someone?” – A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

“Welcome to Wonderland, Alice.” – A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

“Faster than a bastard maniac! More powerful than a loco-madman! It’s… Super Freddy!” – A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

“Every town has an Elm Street!” – Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare

“1, 2… FREDDY’S COMIN’ FOR YOU.” – New Nightmare

“I’ve been away from my children for far too long.” – Freddy vs. Jason

“Welcome to my world, bitch.” – Freddy vs. Jason

Freddy is the dream master, preying on the souls of his victims and bringing terror to slumber. With puns ranging from wittily hysterical to plain awful, Freddy Krueger is the nightmare man.

Out of the slasher villains of the 80s, Freddy holds a special place in my heart. Bring on the nightmares!