Slasher Summer: A How-To Guide
Summertime is very much here. That means popsicles, heat waves, and the bloody murder screams of camp counselors everywhere. If that last one sounds a little weird, I’m of course talking about the phenomenon known as “Slasher Summer.” Whoever said horror movies are only for the fall was dead wrong. Throw a ringer tee on, grab some popcorn, cozy up with your besties, and turn on your T.V.— Slasher Summer is about to begin.
Let us start with the basics. What is Slasher Summer? As the name implies, Slasher Summer revolves around the aesthetic of horror films of the 1970s and ‘80s that take place during the summer months. The films showcase a mysterious killer with a blade of some sort (no firearms allowed at summer camp, kids) picking off teenagers one by one. There are a few other criterias that have to be met. The body count has to be obnoxiously high, the setting has to be somewhere isolated, and the killer has to wear a mask (because how else could there be a reveal at the end?), There is almost always a “final girl”: think of Sally Hardesty, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, or Alice Hardy, Friday the 13th. Sounds like a scary good time, right? Thanks to TikTok, Instagram mood board accounts, and a really good YouTube video essay, Slasher Summer has grown in popularity over the years. It is something to look forward to by the time the mosquitoes come out in June.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
Another important part of the slasher summer aesthetic is the wardrobe. Whether you are more of a Camp Crystal Lake or Camp Arawak fan, the camp counselor uniform is a must-have. This type of look can be achieved with either a striped or plain white polo shirt, frayed denim shorts, and some type of sneakers. Not a fan of Camp-Counselor Chic? No worries. The slasher summer wardrobe aesthetic can be achieved in other ways. Red one-piece swimsuits, dolphin shorts, ringer tees, crop tops, and scrunchies are all perfect for letting everyone know what time of year you are embodying.
Image Courtesy: Instagram
You know the what and the wear, but what about the watch? There is a plethora of summertime slashers from the 1970s and ‘80s that are perfect for movie nights, including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Sleepaway Camp and its sequel, Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers,” the first three films in the Friday the 13th franchise, The House on Sorority Row, and countless others. The 1990s and early 2000s brought about remakes of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th, director Eli Roth’s films Hostel and Cabin Fever, as well as the cult classic I Know What You Did Last Summer. Even the Slasher Summer films of the 2010s and ‘20s have been good, with Netflix’s Fear Street: Part Two - 1978 and 2015’s The Final Girls, an homage to the campy Slasher Summer films before it. And although the A24 film “X” from 2022 isn’t set at a summer camp, it is absolutely a contender for one of the best modern slashers of the 21st century (Maxxine Minx, you’ll always be famous!)
Image Courtesy: Instagram
Now that you’ve been thoroughly educated, it is time for you to go out and experience a Slasher summer of your own. As audiences continue to seek thrills and catharsis, Slasher Summer remains a timeless reminder of our fascination with fear and the enduring legacy of those who dare to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche on screen. As we approach another season of blood-soaked tales, one thing remains clear: the slashers may come and go, but their legacy will forever haunt our collective imagination. Just make sure to watch out for any machete-wielding maniacs, okay? Stay safe this summer, campers.
Strike Out,
Kaya O’Rourke
Saint Augustine
Editors: Maya Kayyal and Jessica Giraldo
Kaya O’Rourke is a writer for Strike Magazine, Saint Augustine. She’s a big fan of film and art houses, curating the perfect Spotify playlist for every occasion, and spending time with her besties. When she’s not shelf-reading at the library, you can reach her on Instagram at @kayaorourke.
