This document provides an analysis of the horror elements in the film A Nightmare on Elm Street. It describes the plot involving teenagers who are stalked by Freddy Krueger in their dreams. Images of blood, knives, fire and masks create shock and tension. Freddy is the most frightening character due to his disfigured appearance and haunting voice. The opening credits and music are designed to heighten fear and suspense. Photos shown provide context about the characters and location in Springwood, Ohio, while also hinting at a traumatic past event. Shadows and scenes of children imply innocence in danger, leaving the audience to wonder what fate befell them.

1. ANightmare on Elm
Street
Mimi Jeffries

2. What the films about?
• Nancy, Kris, Quentin, Jesse, and Dean all lie on
Elm street. At night they are all having the
same dream– of the same man, wearing a
tattered red and green striped sweater, a
beaten fedora half-concealing a disfigured
face, and a gardeners glove with knifes for
fingers. And they are all hearing the same
frightening voice…

3. HORROR? THRILLER?
• A nightmare on Elm street is classified as a Horror, due
to the sequences and actions that are taken place.
• Images of blood, knifes, fire, masks are all related to
the theme of horror and create suspense and tensions
and an overall shock feeling to the audience.
• The main character “Freddie” is the most frightening
character, due to his image, and recognizable voice
which haunts the other characters. We know he wears
a tattered red and green striped sweater, a beaten
fedora half-concealing a disfigured face, and a
gardeners glove with knifes for fingers.

4. Opening credits
 Credits are engraved into the pavement, this
shows either Freddie has done this with his
claws, or children have, due to its lopsided,
jagedy edges.
 It creates fear and suspense as can be
potrayed as signs of horror, there are also
shown in quick flashes, which heightens
tension and catches the audiences attention.

5. Music
 This music back ups the actions and images being shown, it
emphasizes that some event is going to happen, and contributes to
the horror significance of the film.
 It is deep, mysterious music, sounding magical and is very repetitive
highlighting events from the past.
 The use of childrens voices laughing and playing adds to the
innocence of the children. and acts as a contrast to the actual film.
 the beats of the music match the credits coming in, this attracts
the audience attention to the credits. Also when the credits are
shown a snapshot noise of a picture being taken is played,
empahizing that someone is possibly watchign the kids, and taking
pictures.
 Voilins and musical instruments are included in the music creating
an eerie effect.

6. Photos
 The first picture shown is of a circle of children
holding hands, that portrays the children
throughout the film which are now grown up and
how they are all linked in with each other.
 The second most significant pictures is of the
street sign “Elm Street’’, this street name is
included in the title of the film but also where a
lot of events and actions take place. All these
images are related and linked to parts in the film.
 We get introduced to them now showing
significance in the film and how they interlink.

7. Here is a picture of
Freddie himself in
his famous
recognized red and
green striped
jumper.
His shadow that
appears in this
photo can be
menacing and
scary.

8. Here is Frededies face that has been burnt from the fire and also his claw which he uses to defend and
kill.

9.  Shadows of children playing games, skipping and
doing hopscotch all link in with the theme of
childhood and there innocence. Its can be shown
as creepy and mysterious as we don’t tend to
think of children in horror films. Once again these
shots of children playing are quick flashbacks and
shots.
 The shots are mainly of the children’s feet so we
cannot identify the characters, but this adds to
the audience to think more and wonder who they
are.

10.  Each shot or clip of an action begins and ends with a black out,
showing some kind of change in time or end of an event.
 An important picture is shown of a class photo, it is an old black and
white photo which is firstly shown in good condition then the sound
of a knife is played then cut to the picture again but this time has
been shown like its not kept in good condition, torn and worn out.
Seeming like someone has deliberately attacked and damaged the
photo.
 A photo also of “Badham preschool, Springwood Ohio’ is shown
linking the photo of the children with this school, giving information
on the location to the audience , letting them know the significance
of the children and there past.
 Also the date of the photo has been shown to inform the audience
it occurred in the past and a long time ago. (1994-1995).

11.  The words “bad: and “school” are re-shown to emphasize possible
actions taken place at this location and also the word ‘bad’
associates with a trauma or a serious event that has taken place.
 Children’s building blocks of toys are shown and particular letters
as well, which could be portraying letters of some of the children’s
first name. again the theme of childhood innocence is portrayed
into this. Then this clip is cut to the building blocks being burnt, fire
is associated with destroying, killing and danger. Showing that
these ‘letters’ representing the children are in danger.
 The location of a park is shown, with a rocking horse rapidly
rocking, but without a child or any person on it, emphasizing the
eerie atmosphere and contributing the the horror and fear theme.
 The fact no one is present on the rocking horse makes the audience
think a ghost is present or a child was there but left, as in the sense
an event happened and made the child leave rapidly.

12.  Broken chalk is shown to show the children’s life’s being
broken and torn up.
 Clips of children running are also shown as well, telling the
audience there either running away from someone, playing
or not knowing what's going on. Children at such a young
age ate so innocent, naïve and don’t have a sense of
danger. But do have a sense of fear and can sense when
something's not right.
 Children's dolls are shown in this sequence, which again is
part of children's life's, there toys are there friends and
they play with them all the time. This also reflects the doll
which is shown in the attic of one girl, which she discovers
when she's older, as well as the classroom photo.

13.  The shadows of the children playing add
tension and suspense to the scene. It makes
the audience think as you still cant see there
faces but there bodies as well.
 The fact we cant see the children's faces,
meaning there facial expressions are being
masks so we cannot see how there feelings or
reacting.