Films have formulas and rules, but how well do films follow those formulas?
Although I'm calling these Slasher Film Rules, they can apply to a range of horror sub-genres.
Ten films were tested:
The previous 20 films looked at were:
Of course, these films say nothing about the genre as a whole. Certainly things can be said about the films, though. They are usually bigger name films, smaller low-budget or less successful films may rely on the rules more. One is a post-modern film in which the characters know the rules. About half may not be purely "slasher" films and may not need to follow the rules.
- Black Christmas (1974)
- My Bloody Valentine (1981)
- Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)
- April Fool's Day (1986)
- Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986)
- Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)
- Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
- Leprechaun 2 (1994)
- Leprechaun 3 (1995)
The previous 20 films looked at were:
- And Then There Were None (1945)
- Peeping Tom (1960)
- Psycho (1960)
- Night of the Living Dead (1963)
- Jaws (1975)
- Halloween (1978)
- Alien (1979)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
- Halloween II (1981)
- Friday the 13th Part III (1982)
- Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
- A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985)
- Leprechaun (1993)
- Scream (1997)
- Saw (2004)
- Wolf Creek (2004)
- Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Of course, these films say nothing about the genre as a whole. Certainly things can be said about the films, though. They are usually bigger name films, smaller low-budget or less successful films may rely on the rules more. One is a post-modern film in which the characters know the rules. About half may not be purely "slasher" films and may not need to follow the rules.
Rule #1 - A Warning Will Come From...
- Continuation - (3): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Unheeded Warning - (4): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Unheard Warning - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- No Warning - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) [Beyond Tommy's history with Jason]; April Fool's Day (1986).
Rule #2 - There Will Be T&A
Female Nudity
- T & A - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Topless - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Suggested Nudity - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Weak Nudity: (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Underwear: (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- No Nudity: (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
Male Nudity
- Unseen - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Underwear: (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- No Nudity: (7): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Sex
- Sex - (5): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Almost - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- All Talk - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
Rule #3 - Death Will Be A Punishment For...
Some of the films had the killer specifically targeting transgressors.
Plot point:
Plot point:
- Yes - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- No - (7): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
Subtext:
- Not quite - (10): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
No Innocents Killed - No characters who have "done nothing wrong" were killed, even the annoying ones survived.
No Good People Killed - No non-transgressors killed, but annoying/sleazy/etc characters killed.
Innocents Killed - Even characters who have done nothing (known) wrong died.
All Transgressors Killed - Anyone who did something bad was killed.
Some Transgressors Survived - People who did something bad actually survived.
- Innocents Killed/All Transgressors Killed - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Innocents Killed/Some Transgressors Survived - (7): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986) [For very small values of killed]; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
A: Sex
- Yes (opportunity kills) - (6): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Almost - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Not quite - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
B: Nudity
- Nudity means death - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Innocent nudity (death) - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Evil nudity only - (2): Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- No Nudity - (5): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
C: Drinking
- All drink/Some die - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- Some drink/Some die - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Limited - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Drink/Survive - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Not really - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Not for drinking - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
D: Drugs
- Killed immediately - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Killed later - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Only drinking - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Not really - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- No Drugs - (4): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
E: Hitchhiking
- Limited - (3): Black Christmas (1974); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Survives - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- None - (5): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
F: Other Criminal Behaviour
- Some - (6): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Seemingly survive - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- None - (3): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
G: Being Annoying/Cowardly/A Sleazy Guy
- Annoying - (6): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Cowardly - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Sleazy - (7): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Greedy - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
H: Being A Bystander
- Yes - (10): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers |
Rule #4 - Never Go...
A: Down to the Basement
Not just a physical basement - but a room in a building that isn't regularly used, is dark and abandoned and stores weird stuff.
- Mine - My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Morgue - Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Going into the basement caused the problem - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981) [A mine collapse caused the killings].
- Killed in basement - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Some killed in basement/Some survived - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981) [Only one survives]; Black Christmas (1974) [Jess kills Peter]; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Endangered by going down into the basement - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Basement & Survived - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- Going down to basement a good thing - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) [Jason trapped]; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) [The radio is in the basement].
- No Basements - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
B: Upstairs
Running to escape to a limiting area.
- Killed in the Attic - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Some Killed/Some endangered - (4): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Upstairs & survived - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- No one chased upstairs - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- No upstairs - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
C: Showers
- Targeted while showering - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Some - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986).
- Bath (run only) - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- No showering - (6): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- No showering, but skinny dipping - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
D: Old Sheds/Out Building
- Barn - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Boat house - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- Garage - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Mine buildings - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Out house - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- All killed - (2): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Some killed - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986).
- Endangered - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- All live - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- None - (3): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
E: Running into Forest
- Yes - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Random (not chased) forest kills - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986).
- Analogue - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981) [Blocked off side mine]; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) [Leave city].
- Only the Final Girl - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- None - (3): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
F: Anywhere Alone
- Yes - (4): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Some - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Briefly - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Varying results - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Everyone goes places alone - (3): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
G: Anywhere Remote
- Lair - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Remote location - (6): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
- Many victims - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- No - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
H: Abandoned Building
- Old Myers House - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Old shed - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Abandoned mine - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- N/A - (6): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers |
A: First Person to Appear on Screen
- First Victim - (4): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Second character to appear - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- One of last killed - April Fool's Day (1986).
- Killer - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Final Girl/Guy - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
B: Black Guy Dies Firsts
- Yes, other non-white - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Middle kills - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Minor character (survives) - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- No minorities - (5): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
C: The Stoner
- Pot (killed later) - (3): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Alcoholics - (4): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Suggested - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- None - (3): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1989); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
D: The Bimbo
- Multipe victims - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- One victim - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- All talk victim - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Older victim - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- No other female characters - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Well-rounded victim - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
E: Nerdy/Funny Guy
- Killed - (7): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Survive - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- None - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
F: The Macho-Jerk
- Multiple victims - (7): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Some die/Some survive - (3): Black Christmas (1974); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
G: The Strong Female Character
- All killed (besides Final Girl) - (6): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Partial - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- No strong females (besides Final Girl) - (3): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
H: The Protector
- Survive - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Police (Survive) - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Partial - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Die - (3): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- None (False starts) - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- None - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
I: The Sensitive Guy
- Dies - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Some live/Some die - (5): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Survives - (3): April Fool's Day (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Never endangered - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
J: Children and Animals
- Child survives - (4): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) [Children].
- Child murdered - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Animal missing - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Animal killed - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) [One killed].
- No Children or Animals - (5): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
K: The Final Girl
- Yes (survive) - (10): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood |
A: Communication Device
- Phone line cut - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Used for harassment - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Minimal use - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Works fine - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- None - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
B: Lighting
- Taken out by killer - (4): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Some rooms - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Minimal issues - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Works fine - (1): April Fool's Day (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994)
C: Vehicles
- Deliberate sabotage - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Yes and no - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Early problems - (4): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Work fine - (3): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- No issues - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
D: Own Legs
- Temporary injury - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Multiples falls - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- One fall - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Not really - (5): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
E: The Authorities
- Police killed - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Incompetent police - (7): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Problematic mayor - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Competent police - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Not contacted - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
F: Weapons
- Ineffective against killer - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Gun, doesn't help - (3): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Easily knocked away - (7): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Chainsaw stops - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Works fine - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Mostly none - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
G: Escape Route
- Blocked - (3): April Fool's Day (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Work fine - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Not covered - (5): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Rule #7 - The Final Girl
- Jess Bradford - Black Christmas (1974).
- Sarah - My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Kit Graham - April Fool's Day (1986).
- Pam Roberts - Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Megan Garris - Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986)
- Tina Shepard - Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Rachel Carruthers - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Jamie Lloyd - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Bridget - Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Tammy Larsen - Leprechaun 3 (1995).
A: Final
- Yes (with others) - (10): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
B: Girl
- Yes - (10): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
C: Masculine
- Partially - (3): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- No (others more so) - (7): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
D: Well-drawn
- Yes - (4): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- More story - (4): My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- About equal - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- No - (7): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
E: Virginal & innocent
- Yes - (3): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) [Jamie]; Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Dating/seems to be virgin - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) [Rachel].
- Seemingly not sexually active (clothing issues) - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) [Wet shirt]; Leprechaun 3 (1995) [Stage clothes].
- Sexual interest/not active onscreen - (3): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Sexually active (seemingly monogamous) - (2): Black Christmas (1974) [Pregnant]; April Fool's Day (1986).
F: Will be reborn
- Multiple - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Yes - (2): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Uses powers - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- A little - (5): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Leaves it to guy - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Turns bad - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
My Bloody Valentine |
- "Billy" - Black Christmas (1974).
- Alex - My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Roy Burns - Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Buffy St John - April Fool's Day (1986).
- Jason Vorhees - Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Michael Myers - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- A leprechaun - Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Another leprechaun - Leprechaun 3 (1995).
A: The Location
- Hometown - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Father's workplace - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Family home - (2): April Fool's Day (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Return - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Partial connection - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Not really - (3): Black Christmas (1974); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
B: The Final Girl
- Psychic Link - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Boyfriend - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Blood relative - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Frees him - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- No connection - (6): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
C: The Protector
- Previous Final Girl - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Professional - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- No connection - (8): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Turning into creature - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
D: The Other Victims
- No connection - (6): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Previous final girl - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Connection to extra victim - (3): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- One relative - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
E: Femininity
- Actually female - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
- Sometimes uses a female voice - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- No real connection - (8): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
F: A Specific Look
- Yes - (5): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Creature - (2): Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Stolen look - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Only see the eyes - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Not really - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
G: A Specific Weapon
- A main weapon & magic - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995) [shillelagh].
- A main weapon & whatever available - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981) [miner's pick]; Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986) [machete].
- Whatever available - (8): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI |
A: Always kill the bad guy twice
- Lies down a few times - (3): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
- Killed twice - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Basically - (2): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985);
- Once only - (2): Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Not killed at all - (2): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986).
B: Even then...
- Died previously - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Escapes - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981).
- Seems to survive - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Wrong person killed - (1): Black Christmas (1974).
- Seems dead, suggested new killer - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- Seems dead - (3): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Doesn't exist - (1): April Fool's Day (1986).
C: Evil is immortal
- Seems so - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Close - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Long lived, but killed - (1): Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- No sign of immortality - (3): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986).
- Seemingly passed on - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Rule #10 - The Sequel Will Be Bigger/More Formulaic
Franchises
Franchises
- Friday the 13th - Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Halloween - Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Leprechaun - Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
A: Follow the Rules
- Gets Meta - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Slightly more - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- About the same - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Slightly less - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Follows them less - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
B: Follow the Franchise Formula
- Follows the formula - (2): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986) [Primary formula]; Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) [Secondary formula].
- Follows the formula (with an addition) - (2): Leprechaun 2 (1994) [Bride]; Leprechaun 3 (1995) [Transmission by bite].
- Breaks the formula (a little) - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
C: More T&A
- More T & A - (3): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Less T & A - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) [Almost none]; Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) [even less].
- No T & A - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
D: More & Bigger Death of Victims
- More & bigger deaths - (2): Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- More deaths, but smaller Deaths - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) [Due to censorship]; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Equal - (2): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
E: Killer's Death Bigger
- Bigger death - (1): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
- Virtually the same - (4): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Smaller than the previous Film - (1): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
- Killer survived - (1): Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
Results
Rule #1
- Followed - (5): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Partially followed - (5): Black Christmas (1974); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
Rule #2
- Followed - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Partially followed - (7): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
Rule #3
- Followed - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Partially followed - (6): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Not followed - (3): April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986).
Rule #4
- Followed - (5): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Partially followed - (5): April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 2 (1994); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Rule #5
- Followed - (8): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Partially followed - (2): Black Christmas (1974); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).
Rule #6
- Followed - (1): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); ; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Partially followed - (4): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); ; Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Not followed - (1): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
Rule #7
- Followed - (3): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); ; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Partially followed - (7): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Rule #8
- Followed - (6): My Bloody Valentine (1981); Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Partially followed - (3): Black Christmas (1974); April Fool's Day (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).
- Not followed - (1): Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Rule #9
- Followed - (3): Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); ; Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989).
- Partially followed - (4): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Not followed - (3): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985); April Fool's Day (1986); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
Rule #10
- Followed - (2): Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988); Leprechaun 3 (1995).
- Partially followed - (4): Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986); Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988); Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989); Leprechaun 2 (1994).
- Not followed - (1): Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985).
- N/A - (3): Black Christmas (1974); My Bloody Valentine (1981); April Fool's Day (1986).
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