Feminist Film Theory and Serial Killers

¶ … serial killers and feminism. The writer uses a book and a film to explore what the feminist film contributes to the understanding by society of serial killers. There were two sources used to complete this paper.

Very few things strike fear in the hearts of Americans the way that serial killers do. Serial killers place terror in the hearts of many because of their very unpredictability. They strike without warning and there doesn't seem to be a logical reason for the pattern that they choose initially. Once the pattern begins to emerge there is often a reason or pattern for the choices the killer makes in victims, but initially it seems like nothing more than a crap shoot and people are afraid of their strikes. For many years people have studied the patterns and lives of serial killers in the effort to establish how they are created. Other studies are conducted to discuss the pattern of the victims of the serial killers. Since the 1960's the women's movement has been in full force. The world has watched a metamorphic from housewife and helpmate to equality in the world between the genders. There have been several works published that have examined the feminist role, and reaction to serial killers.

In Men, Women and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film by Carol J. Clover three are several examinations that produce some understanding about the feminist film theory and how that theory has contributed to the world's understanding of serial killers.

Clover writes the book as an examination of three different types of horror films. She discusses slasher films, occult films and satanic possession films. In addition she writes about rape/revenge films (Clover, 1992). Clover presents the idea that male spectators of the films often identify with the female victim heroes. When one watches a killer film one sees at least one victim become a hero. She fights with everything she has, she refuses to give up and she brings the killer to justice with her very anger and unending fight to survive (Clover, 1992).

Clover reminds the reader that in most horror/slash films the victims are women. Most of the women are helpless and with that they end up dead. There is usually one female who refuses to die regardless of the horrors she witnesses or stumbles across. In these movies the female who survives fights with everything she has (Clover, 1992). She may see her best friend murdered, she may stumble across the dismembered body of her mother or she may witness her husband being beheaded in the rage to get at her. Through it all she never gives up. She fights, she claws, she thinks and she never stops working toward her own survival. It is something that eventually plants an idea in the mind of the viewer. Feminism is also filled with the idea that women should not give up. They should not accept dominance by males nor should they ever believe that they are less capable than men. If one takes the idea of feminist film theory and applies it to the real life of serial killers it is not difficult to draw some parallels. In serial killer patterns the victims are often female and those who die are usually caught off guard and might not fight or think things through. They die at the hands of a mad man and while they should never ever be held at fault for their own death the feminist basics might provide a more equal footing about the way a woman reacts to danger (Clover, 1992). Feminism is about the equal reactions and treatment of women. Years ago women were raised to believe they were less than men in all aspects of life. As feminism did its workwomen began to understand they are equal and can react in equal fashion. Feminism I films provide for the fighting back of a woman against a serial killer, or any killer. The audience sees helpless women give up and died without a fight, while the victim who survives works hard to live even while those around her are dying. The tough girl and the male viewer is examined in the book. The relationship that the male viewer creates in his mind with the victim-hero who is a female, a fighter and a hero is explored in depth in the book.

The societal understanding of serial killers through the use of feminist film theory has changed over the last few decades. Today the serial killer is seen as preying on women because he finds them weak. The world does not believe the serial killer has respect for women and wants to put them "in their place" using violence and anger. The film genre of feminist films creates an attitude that serial killers stalk and prey on women who are less apt to fight back. It has created entire studies on how women should conduct themselves to avoid becoming victims to serial killers, rapists etc. Holding one's head up high, walking with a purpose and other tips are frequented throughout society to maintain female safety. The serial killer overpowers and murders the victims he chooses. Feminist film theory implies that women who are strong and capable might be less likely targets than women who present more weak attitudes. It can be a dangerous way to think because someone may believe as long as they have a can do attitude they will be immune from the advances of a serial killer.

In Mark Seltzer's Serial Killers: Death and Life in America's Wound Culture the reader is made to understand the path that a serial killer takes in his quest for satisfaction. The book also allows for the exploration of fight makes right when it comes to the actions of victims and would be victims (Seltzer, 1998). In Chapter four the serial killer is discussed as well as the type of person he might go after. It is the profile of the serial killer in chapter five that presents with the indication he wants to dominate and control. The feminist theories that have developed over the last few decades point to the strong women being those who the serial killer hesitates to attack. Serial killers who attack women do so in extremely violent deaths. This may play into the belief that the women who are self assured and confident are less likely targets for the killer. Serial killers often attack children. This can also lend itself to the belief that they go for those who are weaker than they are and this parlays into the discussion about strong feminist females becoming less likely victims of serial killers (Seltzer, 1998).