Killer-with-a-gimmick takes them out one-by-one.
When that structure is stretched across a TV show things become a little more difficult.
How do you maintain the audiences interest in the quieter moments?
How many people do you kill off?
When do you reveal crucial details about the killer?
How long do you make your finale?
Questions that will, hopefully, be answered here.
Slasher movies cannot simply thrive on spilling blood.
Slasher TV, on the other hand, has considerably less of an excuse.
It was a creative decision, we swear!).
It is a different kettle of fish in almost every sense.
It made sure practically every character was so awful that you wouldnt really care if they died.
The most important issue here is timing.
If it isnt interesting or bloody enough then youre at risk of putting viewers to sleep.
Once that fear is instilled in your characters its unshakeable and theres no room for backtracking.
MTVs unfairly reviledScreamadaptation does a fine job handling its opening kill.
It meant that when the killer attacked it was without stakes and so felt inconsequential, if still enjoyable.
The last half hour is what most people look forward to when it comes to slasher movies.
Its a hugely enjoyable binge-worthy treat thats definitely worth checking out.
It also knew exactly when to take things up a notch.
The shows endgame straddles several episodes, making for a terrifying white-knuckle, trigger-happy finale.
The less said about the action inScream Queensthe better.
Harpers Islanddid a fine job of teasing out its finale, laying down the groundwork for its eventual discovery.
Less successful was MTVsScreambecause the killers identity was obvious from early on.
Or even a third?
