In many ways, Freddy Krueger is the perfect horror icon. A killer that stalks you when you’re most vulnerable – and worse still, can weaponize your nightmares against you – sounds like an apex predator with virtually no flaws. Add to that a biting sense of humor and a penchant for vulgarity, and it’s clear why A Nightmare on Elm Street is such a fan-favorite classic.
Now, suppose a killer like Freddy was real. How could you even defend yourself against a monster that can make your worst nightmares turn deadly real? Here’s a handy guide with ten survival tips, should you ever come across a suspiciously out-of-fashion striped sweater in your nightmares.
10. Freddy is Only As Strong as His Legend
In films like Dream Warriors and The Dream Master (Nightmare 3 and 4, respectively), we learn that Freddy draws his supernatural powers from fear – but the only way people can truly fear him is if they know about him in the first place. Denying Freddy’s existence, or his powers, makes him powerless.
Going a step further, completely suppressing Freddy from the collective memory (as we saw in Freddy vs. Jason) can wipe his existence altogether. Essentially, the less you think of Freddy or believe in his powers, the better.
9. Humor Him to Death
Freddy’s unique among horror serial killers in that he’s a bit of a twisted prankster. Unlike a mindless hulk like Jason, you can engage in a conversation with Freddy. In fact, many characters have done just that throughout the series. It doesn’t always end well, mind you, but it’s worth a try.
Trying to match Freddy’s crooked sense of humor can buy you valuable time as you try to wake up from a nightmare or think of a way to outsmart him. Just don’t try to be another Carlos and end up slain by “Super Freddy”. Yeah, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare was such a weird film.
8. Bury the Past
Though most people know of Freddy thanks to his dreamscape shenanigans, some films have shown that his remains are a crucial part of his nightmare curse. Finding his bones and either destroying them or exposing them to a cleansing ritual seems to be the only way to put an end to his killing sprees – at least until a sequel comes around. If all else fails, find where they dumped what’s left of him and consecrate the site. Preferably with friends and a priest who doesn’t ask too many questions.
7. Engage in Some Time Loop Trolling
Time moves differently in the dream realm. What feels like hours in a nightmare might just be mere seconds in real life. While that might be one of Freddy’s most effective weapons, it’s also an exploit you could use to turn the tables around on him. You could even take a page out of the Inception rule book and “wake up” mid-dream to foil Freddy’s traps.
6. Stay Awake. Stay Smart
Just “staying awake” might sound like the only way to avoid Freddy – but that’s just a temporary measure. Trying to stay awake for the rest of your days is borderline impossible, so you must be smart with your sleep schedule instead. Rely on caffeine pills or a strict diet to keep sleep (and Freddy) at bay. But remember: Freddy loves power naps. Avoid those at all costs, and always have someone by your side.
5. Avoid Elm Street Altogether
Seriously. Just move. The reason that keeps most protagonists tied to the town is mostly horror movie logic, but leaving Freddy and the street as far behind as you can is your golden ticket to a better sleep schedule – one that’s not deadly at all. Compared to sprinting for your life every time you nod off, moving costs are a bargain.
4. Find Some Allies
The most memorable survivors in the Nightmare on Elm Street series were those who forged alliances against Freddy. Staying alone and isolated is the perfect recipe to get a visit from Freddy, so be sure to assemble some dream buddies who are ready to have your back – in real life and in your dreams.
Establish a buddy system for when you really need to sleep. Make sure everyone rotates on watch duty while the others rest. If the original film taught us anything, it’s that Freddy’s weaker against a coordinated resistance.
3. Starve Him of Fear
If suppressing Freddy’s memory fails, you could always face him in your nightmare. It’s a risky move, but one that’s worked before. Think of Nancy reclaiming the power she gave to Freddy. By understanding that fear is only as powerful as you allow it to be, you’ll weaken the nightmare and deprive Freddy of his powers as a result.
2. Drag Him Into the Real World
In the dream world, Freddy is an unkillable, reality-warping demonic entity. When you bring him into the real world, however, he becomes an elderly serial killer with an ugly sweater and a deadly bladed glove. Still imposing, but not nearly as indestructible. Getting Freddy out of your nightmares is the first step toward putting him down for good.
In some Nightmare on Elm Street films, we’ve seen that the way to pull Freddy out of the dream world and into reality is to be in physical contact with him when you wake up. So, as long as you can evade his killer designs (remember, humor is key!), you can buy yourself enough time to bring him out of your nightmare and into the real world, where even a simple pocketknife could be enough to end him.
1. Master Lucid Dreaming
Freddy is as much a prisoner of nightmares as his victims. He might be powerful, but he must obey dream logic. Mastering your dreams and weaponizing them as much as possible will be key in a face-to-face confrontation. In the dream world, lucidity is your best weapon. Teach yourself meditation and lucid dreaming strategies, and you too can become a Dream Warrior – well, preferably one of the surviving Dream Warriors.
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