Is the Nightmare On Elm Street Series Based Upon a Real Story?
The Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise was not based on a real story directly, however, had small tidbits of real-life inspiration which drove Wes Craven’s idea of a nightmare in a normal looking house on Elm Street, dreamworld-based horror slasher. The idea of a nightmare killer spawned from the popular 70s hit “Dream Weaver” (Gary Wright). However, the idea for Freddy himself was a bit more terrifying…and emanated from a rather intense and psychologically damaging event from Wes Craven’s childhood. Wes Craven successfully reinvented this fearful experience as a cinematic thriller which would haunt America for decades to come and still to this very day. A quick dive into Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy Krueger history and origin reveals the true birthplace of the first nightmare (and Freddy Krueger himself)!
Freddy Krueger’s Inspiration: Where Did Freddy Krueger Come From?
Wes Craven once had a sincerely scary encounter while walking home one day as a kid. As he walked along the sidewalk he began to approach a terrifying figure, a disfigured homeless man, tattered in clothing walking along the path in front of him…along his path home. As the man heard Wes approaching, he stopped moving and slowly turned around, making eye contact with Wes, who scurried into the bushes to escape the piercing eyes. After believing the man had continued along, Wes peeked out from the bushes to find that the man was still staring him down, and in fact seemed angry. Darting to his apartment building, the man followed Wes home. As Wes ran up the staircase where the man would follow him to the stairwell. Wes reports hearing the man come up the stairs, where his older brother lay waiting with a baseball bat…however, the man seemingly disappeared. And thus Freddy Krueger was born!
Robert Englund was the perfect pick for Freddy Krueger and made sure Wes saw him this way from the moment he stepped in for an interview. Robert wore cigarette ash under his eyes to make him look more evil, dirty and uncaring. He also wore automobile oil from his own car in his hair (done in the parking lot before the interview) for additional grunge-effect. What a pro!
Final Words About Freddy Krueger
Almost all of us have known or have a memory of a threat like Freddy Krueger. This homeless bully scared a childhood Wes so deeply that the fear would follow him throughout his life, until he spawned one of the scariest, most ruthless horror movie slashers to ever grace the screen! And now Freddy Krueger reaps the benefit of world-renown fame, allowing him to scare forever and remain immortal for as long as the horror genre may live. Wes Craven’s amazing ability to tap into a generalized memory of horror, that almost all of us have experienced at one point in our lives, is the real power of Freddy Krueger and the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise!
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
Gay Rights and Gay Subtext In A Nightmare On Elm Street 2 (1985)
The Nightmare On Elm Street franchise is one of the most well-known horror brands of all time. Freddy Krueger is infamous for slashing his way through his victims starting in the famous house on Elm Street, leaving some of the most gruesome trails behind. But there is an anomaly present within the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The second movie in the series, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985), seems much different than the rest of the films…much much different indeed! As fans have pointed out, the gay subtext throughout the second film in the franchise is absolutely undeniable!
Obviously this has left many fans wondering…did the creators of the second Nightmare On Elm Street movie purposely lace the script and movie with gay subtext to help combat or exploit the widespread homophobia of the era?
Often Dubbed One of the Gayest Horror Movies Ever Made
There is no question that the second Nightmare On Elm Street movie is filled with gay subtext. Here are some of the most well known gay inclusions that created the most “homoerotic” horror movie of all time!
A Closeted Protagonist
Mark Patton played Jesse Walsh, the main male protagonist in the story. Patton is openly gay today, but was still ‘in the closet’ at the time the Nightmare movie was filmed. Many of the creators of the film have suggested it could have played a part in the film harboring some ‘repressed homosexuality coming out.’
A Little Male On Male Bonding
During a gym class scene, Grady decides to “depants” Jesse. Jesse chooses to cope with his embarrassment by remaining bare-assed while he tackles and wrestles with Grady on the ground. Jesse is obviously trying to remove Grady’s clothes in this scene for whatever reason.
“Probe” Board Game
The board game “Probe” was placed in Jesse’s closet. Literally in his closet. Ultimately, sadly, it could have been making fun of Patton, who at the time was choosing to remain ‘in the closet’ regarding his homosexuality during the production of the film.
He’d Rather Sleep With Grady
At one point, Jesse is getting it on with his ‘girlfriend’ Lisa, who seems to want to sleep with Jesse. Jesse panics, runs to Grady’s house, where he wishes to sleep instead. Grady himself indicates that it is strange that Jesse does not want to sleep with Lisa, but instead with him.
Attack of the Balls
Balls, that’s right, actual balls attack Coach Schneider in his office…flying out of their containers and respective bins seemingly on their own. Tennis balls, basketballs, soccer balls, all kinds of balls. Balls, everywhere. Some fans have suggested this was a reference to testicles and count it as gay subtext.
A Gay Conspiracy
Rumors had surfaced nearly instantly about a conspiracy to riddle the plot with gay subtext that would be acknowledged by the audience, but still be deniable. David Chaskin is a Freddy’s Revenge screenwriter who denied including planned gay subtext throughout the film for a really long time (decades of denial). Chaskin finally began to admit that the gay subtext was planned only in recent years. When questioned as to why he remained silent, he revealed that it felt like his film was being “outed” and he was unsure how he felt, and so he kept quiet. Ultimately Chaskin admitted to having long thoughts about the homophobia stigma at the time and how he could work a script that would cause the cast, and ultimately the audience, to question their sexuality.
Similarly, the director of the box office hit, Jack Sholder, claimed he had no knowledge of planned gay subtext for a really long time. Still there were many rumors floating around about Sholder very well understanding the movie was fostering some gay themes. In modern days, Sholder absolutely acknowledges the gay subtext throughout the film, but still denies having realized it during production. Sholder also claims to not have known Mark Patton was gay at the time of production (Patton was indeed still in the closet).
“No Chicks” Allowed
A sign posted on the outside of Jesse’s room at the Walsh residence upstairs basically reads “NO CHICKS.” Whether this was done intentionally or not, it is hard to miss and hard not to associate with gay subtext. What senior high school boy isn’t interested in chicks being in his room…besides a gay one? Try to remember: in the 80s, there was a ton of homophobia, and it was really hard to come out, so this type of sign meant a lot more back then!
A Man Is Trying to Get Inside Of Me!
All throughout the film, Jesse is concerned with a man that is “trying to get inside” of him. While this may be innocent in scripting sense, one cannot deny how closely it mimics some of society’s most popular dirty talk.
A Sexually Confused Protagonist
Although the actual real life actor who played Jesse is gay, the character Jesse also seems to be troubled as far as his sexual orientation is concerned. Jesse seems reserved when it comes to his ‘girlfriend’ and almost unwilling to participate in their relationship. He seems more eager to hang out with his bully/friend and sports jock, Ron Grady. Jesse seems to be struggling with his sexuality throughout the entire film.
Penis Shaped Wall Art
Seriously, check it out, in the kitchen of the Walsh residence there is a strange penis shaped wall art object. This has been admitted to be a joke by the crew of the set…but still, no doubt gay subtext.
Don’s Place, The Gay Bar
Jesse Walsh is seen in one part of the movie showing up to a gay bar called “Don’s Place” in the middle of the night. He orders a drink and is approached by Coach Schneider, who is outfitted in some pretty extreme leather, definitely S&M attire. The coach seems super excited to see Jesse, smiling nonstop and the scene crosses over to the high school gymnasium, where the coach has Jesse running laps presumably as punishment for being caught drinking underage (though probably to get him in the showers – where Jesse ends up having to go when he’s done jogging).
Coach Schneider’s Shower Room Whipping
Typically, all victims die in spectacular fashion within the Nightmare films. However, there was one truly disturbing death in Freddy’s Revenge, that being the death scene of Coach Schneider. And although many of Freddy’s attacks and kill scenes in a lot of his films can be a little ‘adult’ in nature, it is arguable Coach Schneider’s death is on the more extreme end of the scale.
Freddy uses gymnasium equipment to drag Coach Schneider into the shower room and tie him up, leaving him bound and helpless. Jesse, the main protagonist is onlooking as Freddy (invisible at the time and working through the mind and body of Jesse), strips the coach naked and begins whipping him to death with a towel. Most of the whipping seems to be focused on his butt. Oh, and the showers are on.
Final Analysis of Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge
Many of the creators of the film will deny the gay subtext being intentional, insisting there was nothing in the script directly to support such a claim. Still, anyone who watches A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985) cannot deny the very obvious homoerotic vibe present flamboyantly in nearly every other scene. The film’s gradual progression into becoming the gayest horror movie of all time, was probably a combination of the main protagonist himself being a closeted gay in real life, as well as the cast, crew and creators dealing with the homophobia of the time. No doubt though that it all adds up making the second Nightmare On Elm Street, Freddy’s Revenge, full of obvious gay subtext.
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy Krueger References and Cameos
Freddy Krueger has become a horror legend. With all of his glory and notoriety, he has paved the way for cameo appearances for life not only for himself but also for the franchise as a whole. Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy Krueger, and his claw are referenced or found in a number of other horror movies, paying homage to the original horror masterpiece and its creators. After all, the horror movie genre would never be what it is today if it had not been for the smooth talking, charismatic slasher that is Freddy Krueger!
Movies that Reference Freddy Krueger or the Nightmare Franchise
Without further ado, here is the up-to-date list of other movies which reference the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, or Freddy Krueger directly.
Bride of Chucky
The Bride of Chucky decided to go all out and highlights a number of killer artifacts within the evidence locker. Jason Voorhees and Michael Myer’s masks, Leatherface’s chainsaw, and Freddy Krueger’s glove are all present.
Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn
Freddy’s glove can be seen above the door within the tool shed. This was a homage paid to Wes Craven, and also a response to Craven putting up an Evil Dead (director: Sam Raimi) poster in the room of a Nightmare on Elm Street scene. Hilariously enough, this was a response to Sam Raimi putting up a Hills Have Eyes (1977) poster in another movie. Director easter eggs are awesome.
Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives
A generalized reference to the Nightmare on Elm Street (and Freddy Krueger) story line is made in form of a little girl named Nancy (main character, first, third, and seventh films) complaining about a nightmare monster trying to kill her in her dreams.
It
The 2017 remake of the popular Stephen King film about a derranged child killer clown hosts homage to Freddy Krueger and the Nighmare franchise by playing Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child in a in-movie movie theatre in Derry. There is also a movie poster of the same flick. The movie It was set in 1989, the same year Nightmare on Elm Street 5 was released.
Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday
Freddy Krueger’s glove makes a cameo appearance grabbing hold of Jason’s mask at the end of the film.
Ready Player One
A reference to Freddy is made in the trailer for the 2018 film, where Freddy is annihilated as he jumps towards one of the players in the movie.
Scream
Wes Craven has directed a number of horror films and projects, including Scream (1996). Wes Craven himself can be seen making a cameo in the movie as a janitor who wears Freddy Krueger-like clothing (fedora and sweater). His name is even Fred!
Other References and Mentions
Bloody Rage (Video Game)
Freddy Krueger is a playable character alongside Jason Voorhees.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (Video Game)
Freddy Krueger / Robert Englund is a playable character on a map called “Call of the Dead.” He is caught saying some of Freddy’s most notable catchphrases, including “I am your worst nightmare!”
Dead by Daylight (Video Game)
Freddy Krueger is a downloadable character (currently paid content via expansion pack). Freddy Krueger’s Springwood elementary school is a map that was released with the same expansion pack (though this was a free edition). Also, Quentin Smith, the male protagonist from the movie remake in 2010, was also added to the game.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Song)
The hip hop team produced a song called “A Nightmare on My Street” which was inspired by the Nightmare on Elm Street series and had Freddy on the cover. The track even included a Freddy-like murder scene and modified catchphrase “I’m your DJ now, Princey!”
Everybody Hates Chris (TV)
In one episode of Everybody Hates Chris, Malvo threatens Chris, asking him to give back his gold chain, or he would be there when he least expected it. Malvo goes on to explain he’d show up even in his dreams. Later in the episode, Malvo shows up in a Freddy Krueger-like outfit, complete with a Fedora, green and red sweater and even a glove.
Family Guy (TV)
Episode “The Splendid Source” features a scene where Quagmire hires Freddy Krueger to visit Peter in his dreams and deliver a message. When Peter wakes he exclaims “When you poop in your dreams, you poop for real!”
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The (TV)
In the episode “Mistaken Identity,” Will dons a latex Freddy Krueger mask and scares Carlton in Mr. Furth’s car.
High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange, The (TV)
The Teddy Juicer episode is a Freddy Krueger parody.
Mortal Kombat 9 (Video Game)
Freddy Krueger is a downloadable character.
Mucha Lucha (TV)
A wrestler known as Misterioso Grande is mythed to be able to steal another wrestler’s mask in the dreamworld if he defeats them.
R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps (Book)
“A Nightmare on Clown Street” is a book by R.L. Stine, a popular children’s horror author. The book is meant to refer to the first Nightmare on Elm Street movie.
Robot Chicken (TV)
Freddy Krueger appears in a couple of episodes including “That Hurts Me” and also “I Love Her.” Awesomely, the voice of the Dream Demon in one of the skits was loaned by Spencer from Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (aka actor Breckin Meyer).
Simpsons, The (TV)
A cameo made by Robert Englund’s voice can be found in Simpsons episode “Treehouse of Horror IX,” by which Freddy Krueger is seen with Jason on a couch complaining about how late the Simpsons are to the party. Freddy is also seen among Moe’s band of ghouls in the same episode.
South Park (TV)
Freddy Krueger makes a cameo in the episodes “Imaginationland Episode II” and “Insheeption.”
Weird Al (Song)
Weird Al Yankovic sings “And he slashed up Dasher just like Freddy Krueger” in his “The Night Santa Went Crazy” song.
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
Freddy Krueger: a Myers-Briggs Personality Type Breakdown
“One…two…Freddy’s coming for you!” This common catchphrase can be heard sung in the background before many deaths. A Nightmare on Elm Street’s famed killer, Freddy Krueger, is the only horror slasher to claim his victims in their sleep. With the power to manipulate dreams and fingers of knives…what more could a horror slasher ask for? Still, it seems Freddy is never satisfied and always craving more victims. Thus, Horror Enthusiast has decided to dig deep into the darkest alleyways of the dangerous killer’s mind to offer the most accurate Myers-Briggs personality type possible!
What Myers-Briggs Personality Type Would Freddy Krueger Have?
Freddy Krueger is most likely an EST-PMyers-Briggs personality type.
Freddy Krueger is one of the most entertaining horror movie killers, possessing a lot of dynamic, interesting attributes about his personality that have contributed to his suspected personality type.
Affinity for Attention
Freddy Krueger may have a serious problem with killing most people he encounters…but it doesn’t stop him from wanting the attention! Freddy has been caught gloating about the attention he gets and wishing for more several times throughout his films. Sometimes, he wants the attention to grow more powerful, other times he enjoys the attention in a form of infamous notoriety. Regardless, this type of behavior has earned Freddy a powerfully attractive personality type of “E” Extraversion.
Very Popular
Freddy knows a lot of people and has harvested a lot of souls. He shoots wonderful glamour shots for the media. He can also be seen rocking out with his victims, playing video games with them, and even working out with them (before their unavoidable death)! Not only does Freddy like to hang with nearly anyone, but lots of people admit to really liking Freddy (as present in Wes Craven’s A New Nightmare). Freddy’s large fan base and huge group of friends helps lock in his “E” Extraversion personality trait.
Problem Solver
The claw wearing slasher is famous for working through a number of problems to get what he wants. Freddy has even brought another horror slasher, Jason Voorhees, back from hell in order to give him the entrance he needs to start killing again! Freddy has worked his way around a number of other problems as well, making him a powerful “S” Sensing killer.
A Pragmatic Killer
Reasoning is a really important part of a killer’s logic. And while it may be nice to have a plan for any problem, being able to reason with the variety of ways to solve that problem is essential in coming out ahead. Freddy is such as successful killer as he has been able to use experience and factual analysis to predict his victims movements and thus claims many lives. Freddy’s logic secures him the “S” Sensing personality trait.
An Eye For Weakness
Freddy Krueger has an amazing ability to detect a victim’s biggest fear and ultimately their greatest vulnerability. This attention to detail and skill of determining inconsistencies is critical in exploiting a victim in their dreams. Freddy’s behavior truly extracts the maximum amount of fear and helps earn a personality rank of “T” Thinker.
A Technical Slasher
Of all the horror movie killers, Freddy Krueger has to be one of the most creative and innovative slashers of them all. He has killed people so many different ways, nearly all of them gruesome. No matter the killing, he takes advantage of the fears of each person, or the technical details available to him. This spectacular show put on with each murder locks down his “T” Thinker personality rank!
Keeps His Options Open
Freddy may be a little rough around the edges, but he really enjoys a good chase! Freddy loves to stalk and chase his victims, even taunting them at times. Ultimately, Freddy is one of the only killers who really enjoys the chase probably more than the kill itself. He pays close attention to details and an individual victim’s fears, in order to create the most powerful “P” Perceiving personality trait possible!
A Seasonal Killer
Although Freddy is down to hack and slash whenever they release a new film, there are almost always references in his sequels (and even in the original movie), to him lying dormant for long periods of time. The first movie, for instance, only features Freddy Krueger killings years after his death. Each sequel seems to allow an entire new group of fresh meat to move onto Elm Street before he begins claiming souls. This sporadic type of behavior and his fluctuating energy levels lock into place his “P” Perceiving personality rank.
Final Mental Health Notes on Freddy Krueger
Freddy Krueger is one of the most infamous horror movie killers of them all. He is a dream-weaving, claw-wielding nightmare monster that no one wants to ever run into. He has proven that he is indestructible, immortal and will keep coming back. But still, underneath all those tattered cloths and burnt flesh, lies an attention hungry man who was rejected by society and simply turned to the darkside to satisfy his cravings. Freddy Krueger is an EST-P personality type, but he is also a lover, deep deep down and just wants to be accepted!
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
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