The Childhood Roots of Freddy Krueger’s Evil and Terror

Learn about the personal trauma that unleashed Wes Craven's one-gloved nightmare

Freddy Krueger

Horror fans have long idolized the unique villainy of Freddy Krueger, but to truly understand him, as well as the entire A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, one must look to Wes Cravens own childhood trauma.

For the iconic dream demon, Craven revisited the most terrifying moments from his youth, tapping into primal fears of strangers, loss, and violence to create a boogeyman that has defined nightmares since 1984.

Script: Mike Vanderbilt

Editor: Perry Froelich

Voice Over: Cap Blackard

Want to hang around Elm Street? Subscribe right now to Halloweenies, our monthly Freddy Krueger podcast that plans on slicing through one film in the Nightmare franchise from now until December. Stream the first episode now.

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