The Film Rules: SLASHER FILM RULES

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:

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.

Leprechaun 3

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).

Black Christmas

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).

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning

Rule #3 - Death Will Be A Punishment For...

Some of the films had the killer specifically targeting transgressors.

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

Rule #5 - Order of Death

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

Rule #6 - Especially When They Are Most Needed, The Following Things Cannot Be Relied On…

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).

April Fool's Day

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

Rule #8 - The Killer has a connection to...

"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

Rule #9 - Evil Never Dies...

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

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).

Leprechaun 2

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).

[Slasher Film Rules]

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13 Jul 2017

SLASHER FILM RULES - Analysis: List 3