Our second film in the FAB 4 Competition faired much better than its week one predecessor. Just four years after the release of Friday the 13th (1980), Wes Craven moves the slasher genre from its low budget origins to a credible, genuinely creepy new beginning. But do the scares still work today? From early data received from our test subject, the answer is yes. With a more developed story, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) delivers characters we care about and a villain that will haunt our dreams for years to come. While not the highest rating on FearScale, Nightmare proves that with a little extra money in the effects department along with a brilliant director, the scares can be delivered at regular intervals throughout the course of the film.

Test Subject: Leah

Age : 33

Gender: Female

Fears: Dark Rooms, Creepy Men

Analysis:

It didn’t take long for Leah’s heart-rate to rise from her resting 60 bpm. At the two minute mark we see her first minor bumps in elevation. More dramatic numbers appear around the thirty minute mark which in a three act structure is the first inciting incident where we should expect something major to happen. Right on track. Now take a look at the rise then spike leading in to the thirty-third minute. I wonder what scene could make our female subject cringe and hold her breath boosting her heart-rate to 86 bpm…

Leah’s heart-rate continues to climb. She hits her peak 99bpm close to the forty-one minute mark before descending to a normal walking pace while still burning calories. As the climax unfolds and the mystery of the villain is revealed, the film begins to lose its nightmarish quality feeling more like a thriller. Although maintaining her heart-rate at a decent pitch, Leah’s levels never return to the elevated numbers you would expect from a classic.

CONCLUSION:

Leah indicated prior to testing she was familiar with the franchise which may have played a role in lower levels during the film. When A Nightmare on Elm Street hit theaters, the fresh concept along with its menacing villain terrorized children of the 80’s. The unsettling vision of Freddy left an undetected scar on anyone who had the privilege of seeing its first release. Unfortunately FearScale won’t be measuring any lingering effects this film may have on our poor test subject in the days to follow. Unless of course we want to start monitoring dreams…

Resting HR: 60 bpm

Walking HR: 72-80 bpm

Average HR during Film : 77.16 bpm

Peak HR: 99 bpm

Calories Burned: 242