Teen slasher horror films typically represent teenagers as reckless partiers who are vulnerable victims for the killer. The killers are usually older and stronger than the teenage victims. Gender roles are depicted through stereotypical characters, though sometimes a female survivor subverts expectations. Sexuality may be shown through heterosexual couples to make the victims seem more vulnerable. Disabled or disfigured characters are often portrayed as the killers to make them appear more threatening. The teen victims are usually middle-class college students who panic in dangerous situations, relatable to most audiences.

1. REPRESENTATION
IN TEEN SLASHER HORROR FILMS

2. AGE
One particular age group is young teenagers who are a
key convention of the sub genre. They are typically
represented in the stereotype of reckless party-goers who
are venerable to the killer. The killer will typically be an older
character as they can overpower the younger victims.
This is prevalent in ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. The
narrative follows a group of stoner teenagers who are on
their way to a concert when then it turns tragic and they are
murdered brutally. This group of teenagers explores the
reckless stereotype with the use of drugs and sexuality.

3. GENDER
Genders are typically very easily recognisable because of
how closely they stick to our expectations based on their
stereotypes however there is usually some kind of twist on
this with a female survivor. The female characters are
typically the victims throughout, partially due to the iconic
sound of their high pitch scream. The male teens usually
appear more strong willed than the females and will try to
protect them. The killers are also usually males which
represents them with strength, but they are films which use
female killers to turn this idea on our head.

4. SEXUALITY
Sexuality isn’t explored greatly in horror as it is in other
genres but it can be sometimes in teen slashers. If it is
shown it will most likely be with a heterosexual couple or just
a female character. This plays into the representation of
genders and can make the victims look even more venerable
if they have been exposed to the killer in a way that they
would only ever want to be in private.
One film that does heavily use sexuality is ‘Teeth’ and it turns
the ideas of sexuality into something evil with a female
character who uses sexuality to seriously hurt males. This
film, therefore also puts a twist on the typical representation
of genders and their roles.

5. DISABILITY
Characters that are physically disfigured or disabled
are the killers. This is to make them look abnormal and
more threatening than the perfectly able teen victims. Also, it
makes them look venerable which could be a hint at their
motive to kill as they may have been cast out of society.
In ‘Hills Have Eyes’ there is a community of mutants who
look incredibly disfigured and they are the killers. They are
clearly disabled as they cant walk or speak normally like the
victims in the film and one of them is shown in a wheelchair.

6. CLASS
The teens are usually middle class and in college. They
partake in parties ect and disregard their education. As they
appear to be somewhat privileged they don’t act very well in
the situations and will panic making the audience more
unnerved and on edge. As they are middle class, the majority
of the people watching will be able to relate to the characters.
The final female survivor will normally be a character who is
more intellectual and can stay calmer during the rampage.