Slasher icons, such asScream’s Ghostface,join hands as the “Family Slashers” in a wholesome ’80s-style sitcom intro video. With franchise costumes available during the spooky season, many are dressing up as their favorite horror movie villains. Ghostface,Jason Voorhees fromFriday the 13th, Freddy Krueger fromNightmare on Elm Street, Leatherface fromThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Pennywise fromIt,and Michael Myers fromHalloweenareiconic slashersand many to-go choices for Halloween.
Recently, Instagram userTHE MERKINSposted a concept video that shows all the iconic slashers together in an 80s-style sitcom intro. Theintro starts with the title “Family Slashers,“which plays on the title style ofFull House,and each scene showsseveral iconic villains committing their mischievous routines while in a family sitcom. These include Ghostface strangling a young girl on the phone and Leatherface smiling at the camera while cleaning his chainsaw. The video ends with the slashers chasing each other down and coming together at the end of the day. Watch the full video below:
What the Sitcom Video Means for Slasher Icons
They Are Versatile.
Part of Halloween’s fun is dressing up and re-imagining oneself as another, and this certainly isn’t the first time slasher icons have been spotted in a completely different genre. They have previously dressed up as characters inBaywatch. While the iconic slashers are known for their unforgettable looks and their killer signatures, “Family Slashers” reminds viewers of their comedic side in horror films.Even Ghostface inScreamhas a funny moment or two in his own movies.
15 Best ’80s Slasher Movies, Ranked
The ’80s is largely associated with the Golden Age of slasher films, introducing some of the most memorable and iconic stories within the genre.
Even though horror movie villains are mostly terrifying and lethal,fun videos like the “Family Slashers” show that they are very versatile. They have no trouble being in a sitcom, and it’s only time until someone spots them onGrey’s Anatomy. “Family Slashers” not only pokes fun at their comedic nature but alsoexplores the potential of these characters.These have happened in parodies liketheScary Moviefranchise, where characters like Ghostface and Jigsaw are featured.
Our Take On Slashers
They Can Be Funny
The horror genre often incorporates supernatural elements and features antagonists that are less human but monstrous. However, in nearly every case, the slashers are defeated or exposed. The heroes have to figure out their weaknesses, which are then used against them. Pennywise is teased to death. The heroes onFriday the 13thuse Jason’s size against him. In the process,the slashers become less terrifying but more “silly” in nature.Even slashers in movies likeScreamhave flaws, which makes them more relatable.
Source:THE MERKINS/Instagram
Scream
Created by Kevin Williamson and originally helmed by Wes Craven, the Scream franchise takes a meta approach to the slasher horror franchise, centering on teenagers well-versed in the genre who find themselves hunted and killed by figures donning the Ghostface mask. The first four movies revolved around Neve Campbell’s Sydney Prescott as she frequently found herself the target of different Ghostface killers, while the fifth and sixth installments introduced new protagonists, sisters Tara and Sam, with their own dark past connected to the original Ghostface killer.
IT
ITis a horror franchise based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name. The story centers on the town of Derry, Maine, where a group of children, known as the Losers' Club, encounters a shape-shifting entity that primarily takes the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown.ITexploits the fears of its victims and returns every 27 years to feed on the town’s children. The franchise has become iconic in horror, blending psychological terror with supernatural elements. It includes a highly regarded miniseries, two feature films, and various adaptations in other media.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a multimedia franchise that began with Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror film, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. After the film’s initial release, there were a total of eight additional films added to the franchise, as well as comic books from various publishers, including Avatar Press and Wildstorm Comics. In 2023, the video game The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was released on PlayStation 4/5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox X/S.
Friday the 13th
The Friday the 13th film franchise is a chilling saga centered around the cursed Camp Crystal Lake and the supernatural serial killer Jason Voorhees. Known for his iconic hockey mask and relentless brutality, Jason is a nigh-indestructible force driven by vengeance. The series follows different groups of teenagers who encounter Jason, leading to gruesome fates. Spanning several decades and various settings, from Camp Crystal Lake to the bustling streets of Manhattan, the franchise combines supernatural elements with slasher horror.
