The last (the final) young woman (English Final Girl) – a traditional character in horror films, where this heroine is the main character, and often the last survivor in the film. The main task of the „last girl" is to confront the antagonist of films of this genre – the movie fancier.

Story

For the first time this type appeared in the slasher movie „Halloween", after which he became the dominant type for films of this genre. The term was coined by Carol Jay Clover in her book Men, Women and Chainsaws, where the author examines the popularity and interest in horror films, in particular slashers, from a feminist perspective.

Use of the term

The term "Final Girl", originally coined by Clover in a 1992 study, has a rather narrow meaning. The researcher studied slasher films of the 1970s and 1980s (a period also called the „golden era" of this genre) and identified the character „Final Girl" as a girl who is the only survivor of a group of people (usually young people or teenagers), persecuted by the villain … „The last girl" at the end of the film faces the villain in the final battle (she kills him herself or is saved at the last minute, for example, by a policeman). She has a similar "privilege" – to survive – because of her implied moral superiority (for example, she is the only one who refuses sex, drugs or other similar activities, unlike her friends).

However, the term „the last girl" has recently been used in a broader sense outside the slasher genre to refer to female characters who are not necessarily „morally clean" or even survive with others (assuming the other survivors are not are the main target). Such a character as the stereotypical „virgin girl", opposed to her licentious girlfriends, is practically not used in the cinema today. In addition, slasher films have become less popular in recent decades: they have been replaced by sci-fi horror films in the 90s and beyond horror films about the supernatural in the 21st century. One study claims that the most common female character in 21st century horror films is the Dysfunctional Mother.

Trail concept

In one common plotline in a horror movie, the villain kills his victims one by one, culminating in a clash between the surviving group member and the villain in a final confrontation. Most often, it turns out to be a girl who, in the end, either defeats the killer or escapes.

The "last girl" trail has evolved over time, from early surviving heroines, portrayed as "maidens in distress" (rescued by a strong male character such as a police officer or heroic stranger), to more modern "last girls" who survive thanks to their own abilities.

Despite this, the researchers are skeptical about the formation of the „last girl" as a strong character along with men. According to Tony Williams, in many slasher films, the victory of a surviving girl over an antagonist-killer or some entity is not so straightforward or only at first glance. So, the ending in many films gives a hint that the antagonist may still be alive (as a groundwork for the next sequel to the film), or it demonstrates the uncertain future of the surviving heroine. Most often, the „last girl" either ends up in a psychiatric hospital or is later killed. For example, in the third part of „Friday the 13th" Christina Higgins falls into a catatonic stupor after the fight with Jason at the end of the film; Alice Hardy survived the first Friday the 13th movie, but was killed early in the second.

Derek Souls believes that the tragic fate of the „last girls" illustrates the patriarchal society’s vision of containing or destroying capable and independent women. In later films, the trend began to change, and the fate of the character of the „last girl" is not predetermined and tragic (a notable example is the series of films „The Scream").

Examples of


Ellen Ripley (Alien)

Sydney Prescott (Scream)

Laurie Strode (Halloween)

Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare on Elm Street)

Amanda Young (Saw 2)

Alice L. Hardy (Friday the 13th)

Julie James (I know what you did last summer)

Sally Hardesty (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

Kate Lloyd (The Thing)

Jess Bradford (Black Christmas)

Alice (Resident Evil)

Rachel Keller (Call)