Final Girl Concept

Carol Clover

The final girl is a term used in thriller and horror films that specifically refers to the last woman or girl alive to confront the killer, and the one left to tell the story. The term was invented by Carol J Clover in her book 'Men, Women & Chainsaws; Gender in the Modern Horror Film'. The final girl has been observed in lots of films, including Halloween, Friday the 13th, Alien, Scream & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.


CLASSIC 'FINAL GIRL' CHARACTERS

Laurie Strode in Halloween

Laurie Strode in Halloween
In 'Halloween' Laurie Strode defines the Final Girl archetype. She carries around lots of books. Another signifier would be her clothing. She wears thick, unattractive clothes. Also her hair colour is a signifier, as usually the final girl is brunette. Laurie Strode doesnt have a boyfriend, and most final girls are portrayed as virginal. The final girl is always responsible. In Halloween, the binary opposition between the 'scream queens' & and the final girl is made very clear by the scream queens smoking, but the final girl isnt.




Sidney Prescot in Scream

Sidney Prescott in Scream

The final girl in Scream (Wes Craven) is called Sidney Prescot. The first signifier is her brunette hair, and also she is wearing a long, childish, unattractive nightgown. She is also doing her homework in the scene, another signifier that she is the final girl. When her boyfriend sneaks in, the conversation they have signifies how she is a virgin, which is a classic signifier for a final girl.