10 Horror Movie Answers Fans Had To Wait For

Though the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise has had its ups and downs, there's no doubt Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare is the nadir of the slasher series. Due to the naff special effects, cringe dialogue, and Robert Englund's cartoonish performance as Freddy Krueger, it was crushing to see how far Wes Craven's creation had fallen. 

This dud's only saving grace is the fact it gives great insight into the origin of Freddy's powers. The sequels may have explored the child-killer's past, but there was no real explanation of how he became a dream reaper.

In Freddy's Dead, the titular villain unveils how he was hired by The Dream People, a trio of demons drawn to corrupted souls. Just before Freddy was burned alive by the Elm Street residents, the malevolent entities turned him into a devilish dream spirit. Since every soul that Freddy absorbs amplifies The Dream People's powers, the fedora-sporting lunatic was encouraged to kill as many people as possible (which he was totally okay with). 

It's also explained The Dream People caused the parents of Freddy's victims to succumb to a dream-like psychosis, which is why they usually refuse to believe Krueger has returned, no matter how obvious it is. Ultimately, it's a shame Freddy's Dead was so underwhelming, as it had some genuinely interesting ideas.