It's horror movie season! I love a good slasher film, especially the classic Halloween. A slasher flick that is true to form will follow a few basic rules. The characters will differ between movies, but will be driven by the same basic principles. There's no escaping the horror movie stereotype.
1. The couple having sex
Once a character has shown the audience breasts, she's dead. Her gentleman suitor is likely to be gruesomely killed while still on top of her.
2. The babysitter
It's Halloween night, and the babysitter is too preoccupied with her phone calls to notice a stranger lurking in the bushes. This character is most likely female, and for some strange reason she's going to be wearing almost nothing when her boyfriend shows up.The kids are probably fine, but she is definitely dead before the night is over.
3. The skeptic
The skeptic of the group mocks everyone for being afraid. This character ventures into the dark and remains unharmed. Then, when we least expect it, this character is murdered in front of everyone. Shouldn't have taunted the killer like that.
4. The best friend
The best friend to the main character usually remains unscathed for most of the film. She'll be in the wrong place at the wrong time searching for our main character when the killer takes her. Her dead body will most likely reappear to taunt the main character.
5. The character with two lines
The sole purpose of this character to be killed and plant the seed of suspicious for the rest of the movie.
6. The Jock
He can also double as the skeptic. He believes he is brave enough to overcome whatever is happening. He is not. He dies.
7. The love interest
We want to like him, but we just cannot trust him. He always pops up at convenient times. The only way he proves his innocence is when the main character finds his body.
8. The extra creepy neighbor guy
He's the town pariah. He's lived in the same rundown house for fifty years and stares out the window all the time. Ultimately, he's a good guy and wins over the sympathy of the viewer when he lends a clue.
9. The love survivor
Our main survivor is almost always female and almost always a virgin. She has a slightly tragic past and remains pure despite the love interest's promptings throughout the film.
10. The killer
The killer is probably a guy in a mask. He had a troubled past and has proceeded to take it out on the local teenagers. Bonus points if he has a personal connection to the small town he has chosen to terrorize.