Women in Horror: Exploring the “Final Girl” Trope

There are several horror tropes that have stood the test of time, like the jump scares and splitting off from the group, but one that stands out and has evolved is the ‘final girl’ trope. The ‘final girl’ trope is a term coined by Carol J. Clover, referring to a woman who is the last standing at the end of the film, evading or defeating the villain.

This character often has good morals and refuses the vices that her fellow friends partake in, such as sex and drugs, and maybe sends the message to viewers that her ‘holy nature’ means she deserves to survive. Some common ‘final girls’ include “Laurie Strode” in Halloween, “Sidney Prescott” in Scream, and “Ellen Ripley” in Alien. 

While we always love to see a girl win, the success of these ‘final girls’ of the past isn’t always as satisfying or uplifting as a present-day audience would like. There are times when a male character steps in to save the damsel in distress, like in Halloween. This often takes away some of the power the ‘final girl’ has, likely to make a male audience feel less small. As we shift into modern-day horror, writers have molded this trope into that of a female survivor who deserves and commands success without the barrier of purity or the help of a man, an adaptation many are likely glad to see. Modern horror doesn’t shy away from feminine rage and wit and certainly doesn’t believe a man has to save the day. Honestly, we have to admit that sometimes it’s the men who need saving and they frankly don’t always deserve it…

In movies like Ready or Not and Midsommar, the ‘final girl’s “Grace” and “Dani”, are not willing to take men’s shit and they are not afraid to dish out what’s coming to them in the end. They are faced with trauma and pain and they do not let an icky man ruin their life. With these plots, women can soak in the finality of their plot, which is uncommon for past ‘final girls’ who are instead stuck with anxiety due to an ambiguous ending placed so that sequels can be made.

However, this doesn’t mean a ‘final girl’ can't have a sequel. “Maxxxine” from the X trilogy, who as a porn star definitely does not fall under the pious characteristics established in the original trope, has a prequel and a sequel, not because of unfinished business, but rather to further explore her character.

Overall, the ‘final girl’ trope is likely never to go out of style, but the way it's presented and developed is tailor-fitted to the societal mindset of the time. For this Halloween give some old and new ‘final girl’ films a try and see what you think.