Setting: A movie pitch meeting. The room is dark and an overhead projector has a diagram of Freddy on the wall. One man stands at the head of the room.

"Alright, so we have the spirit of a serial killer who was killed by mob justice and wears a knife glove and murders children in their dreams which in turn kills them in real life. I think we're good. Any final additions?"

*From someone near the head of the table, obviously a respected member of the team* "He was born of rape in an insane asylum."

"Alright, dark, but I think we can work with it. We'll save it for a few movies in. Anything else?"

*From the back of the room* "And he loves word play."

"Uh, what?"

"Yeah, puns out the ass."

And scene.

This might be my favorite major horror franchise entry, meaning against any of the Halloweens (except 3) and Friday the 13ths (the first two Texas Chain Saw movies are leagues above so they aren't slumming it with these franchises). The effects in this are fucking stellar. It's such a fun ride. Maybe seeing a unique approach to confronting an overpowered baddie instead of just futilely flailing against him until there is some absurd turn is all it takes to get me on board. Take note, Jason and Michael combatants. John Saxon shimmering into frame after SkeleFreddy heaves him to his death by his dick was great. I hope people start entering my dreams that way.