What Is the "Final Girl" Trope?
The Final Girl trope refers to the last surviving female character in a horror film, usually the one who outsmarts, outlasts, and ultimately defeats (or at least escapes) the killer. She is often characterized by her intelligence, resourcefulness, and moral purity, standing in contrast to other characters—especially those who engage in reckless or immoral behavior and meet gruesome fates.
Coined by film scholar Carol J. Clover in her book Men, Women, and Chainsaws (1992), the trope is a staple of slasher films, where a single woman (often a teenager or young adult) becomes the sole survivor of a brutal massacre.
Origins and Evolution in Media
The Final Girl has roots in Gothic literature and fairy tales, where young heroines outwit monsters and supernatural threats (Little Red Riding Hood, Dracula’s Mina Harker). However, the modern slasher horror film cemented the trope as a genre-defining element.
🚩 Key Moments in Final Girl History:
- Laurie Strode (Halloween, 1978) – The original Final Girl, facing off against Michael Myers.
- Sally Hardesty (The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, 1974) – One of the first, surviving Leatherface’s massacre.
- Ripley (Alien, 1979) – A sci-fi take on the Final Girl, adding strength and resilience to the trope.
- Sidney Prescott (Scream, 1996) – A self-aware Final Girl, deconstructing horror movie rules.
- Dani Ardor (Midsommar, 2019) – A modern subversion, where the Final Girl chooses to embrace darkness rather than escape it.
Common Traits of the "Final Girl"
- Survivor’s Mentality – She outsmarts the killer, using intelligence rather than brute force.
- Moral Purity – Traditionally, Final Girls avoid sex, drugs, and reckless behavior (though modern versions challenge this).
- Resourcefulness & Determination – She finds ways to fight back, whether through weapons or psychological tricks.
- Connection to the Killer – Often has a personal or symbolic link to the villain (e.g., Laurie Strode & Michael Myers).
- Progressive Character Growth – Starts off fearful but transforms into a fighter by the end.
Examples in Film & TV
✅ Laurie Strode (Halloween, 1978-Present) – The blueprint for all Final Girls, using intelligence and resilience to escape Michael Myers.
✅ Sidney Prescott (Scream franchise) – A meta Final Girl who knows the horror tropes and uses them to her advantage.
✅ Ellen Ripley (Alien, 1979) – A sci-fi Final Girl who takes control and defeats the Xenomorph.
✅ Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare on Elm Street, 1984) – Outsmarts Freddy Krueger by refusing to give him power over her mind.
✅ Erin Harson (You’re Next, 2011) – A hyper-competent Final Girl, subverting the trope by being trained in survival skills.
✅ Dani Ardor (Midsommar, 2019) – A psychological horror take, where the Final Girl chooses to stay in the cult rather than escape.
🚩 Subverted Final Girls:
- Marian Crane (Psycho, 1960) – Appears to be the Final Girl, only to be shockingly killed off early.
- Jennifer Hills (I Spit on Your Grave, 1978) – A Final Girl who actively seeks revenge, rather than just surviving.
- Tess Marshall (Barbarian, 2022) – Initially follows the Final Girl pattern but makes unexpected choices.
Why the Trope Is So Popular
The Final Girl trope resonates because it represents strength, survival, and transformation. She’s the one who learns, adapts, and overcomes, making her a compelling protagonist.
✅ Empowerment in Horror – While horror often victimizes women, the Final Girl reclaims power by fighting back.
✅ Tension & Suspense – The Final Girl is vulnerable but determined, making her fight for survival more gripping.
✅ Symbolism of Fear & Strength – She embodies both terror and resilience, making her an engaging and relatable character.
Problems with the Trope
🚩 Moralistic Undertones – The idea that "only pure, virginal girls survive" has been criticized as sexist and outdated.
🚩 Repetitiveness – Many horror films follow the same formula, making some Final Girls feel interchangeable.
🚩 Lack of Diversity – Final Girls are often white, young, and conventionally attractive, though this is changing.
How the Trope Is Evolving
Modern horror films are challenging and diversifying the Final Girl trope:
✅ More Complex Final Girls – They can be flawed, sexual, and morally gray (e.g., Ready or Not, It Follows).
✅ More Diverse Final Girls – Films like Nia DaCosta’s Candyman (2021) and His House (2020) introduce women of color as survivors.
✅ More Agency & Power – Instead of just surviving, some Final Girls actively fight back or embrace the horror (e.g., The Witch, Midsommar).
Final Thoughts
The Final Girl is one of horror’s most enduring and evolving tropes. While it started as a way to highlight female resilience in male-dominated horror, it has grown into a powerful symbol of survival, intelligence, and transformation.
📌 What do you think? Who’s your favorite Final Girl, and how do you feel about the trope’s evolution? Let’s discuss!