MovieChat Forums > The Final Girls (2015) Discussion > No way Paula/Nancy would have.....

No way Paula/Nancy would have.....

posted 9 years ago by inuimari
12 replies | jump to latest

If Camp Bloodbath were a real film, there's no way that Paula would have been the final girl. I was surprised that Nancy wasn't the final girl.

A final girl is supposed to be a shy, meek character who later overcomes adversary and defeats the killer. This way, the viewers can empathize with the final girl. Paula reminds me of those badass chick that dies toward the end (i.e., Sleepaway Camp series, Nightmare on the Elm Series, esp. 3+4).
It also didn't make sense that Nancy wasn't the final girl. Amanda complained about being typecasted after playing Nancy and Max was hailed as a superstar for being Amanda's daughter by Duncan but we later find out that Nancy is one of the earlier victims!?

[–] Li-1 9 years ago

I loved this movie, but I would agree with your assessment. This is also the first time I noticed some resemblance between Malin Akerman and Amy Steel, who was in her fair share of slashers in the 80s, including Friday the 13th Part 2. Just a coincidence?

[–] Soodinum 9 years ago

Yup, agreed. That was my thought when she showed up.

[–] White-taileddeer 9 years ago

Yes! This was completely wrong! I really don't understand how they made that mistake.

[–] tstumo 9 years ago

I'm assuming because of the "virgin rule" and Paula wasn't one to give up the goods in the movie as opposed to Nancy who did.

[–] VinnieRattolle 9 years ago

The script went through endless rewrites. In earlier drafts, Paula was virginal and Nancy was an utter nymphomaniac. After they decided to soften Nancy, it seemed illogical to have to similar characters so Paula became (according to the writers) a hybrid of Jo Polniaczek from The Facts of Life and the final incarnation of Alice Johnson from the end of A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.

[–] inuimari 9 years ago

That makes sense. But I don't remember Alice being a badass biker chick? lol Or am I wrong?

[–] welsh_blue_blood 9 years ago

Alice starts off meek but turns all badass in her final confrontation with Freddy. Ripped jeans, leather jacket, studded wrist bands etc. Pure 80's. A quick clip of it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UjNxFF9e9s

[–] inuimari 9 years ago

Alice starts off meek but turns all badass in her final confrontation with Freddy. Ripped jeans, leather jacket, studded wrist bands etc.

Ah, cheers for the refresher, man. I never liked the Elm Street sequels cuz they always killed off the previous installment's heroines, except for Alice, of course I mean, WTF, man.

But that's my point exactly. The point of final girls is that they are pretty helpless at first but they regain the composure and resourcefulness as the film progresses, vanquishing the killer by usually a phallic weapon. It's strange to have a chick that starts off from being a bad-ass as THE final girl.

[–] keepcalm2842 9 years ago

Nancy reminded me of Sara from F13th Final Chapter

[–] MaynardMorrissey 9 years ago

Fully agree. Paula was not a final girl, she was a potential victim.

Also, slow motion and b/w flashback in a 1986 low budget slasher?? Really??

An awful imitation of Bette Davis Eyes? Why not the original?

A 37-year-old actress playing a Teenager?

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 9 years ago

Yeah. I was surprised by that too, but I guess it works out in the end.

Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried