Fall is infamously known for its eerie atmosphere. With the leaves falling and the celebration of Halloween, the month of October is known for its spookiness. This mysterious time celebrated by watching horror movies and playing tricks is the perfect opportunity to read one of Grady Hendrix’s horror novels. Specifically, Final Girl Support Group is a thrilling addition to your Fall aesthetic.
Enter Lynette Tarkington— the paranoid protagonist made into a “final girl” as a result of a horrifying event including axes and Santa Claus (yeah, you’ll see).
What is a final girl, you ask?
The only girl left when a psychopathic man goes on a killing spree to murder everyone. The final girl.
For more than a decade, Lynnette and five other final girls have been going to a Support Group led by trauma specialist Dr. Carol. Life seems to be going well until, one day, one of them doesn’t show up to Group. The girls realize that another monster has entered their lives to rip them apart once again.
Hendrix incorporates many references from famous horror movies such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. While it is not necessary to have watched these movies, knowing the background certainly elevates the reading experience: You can truly appreciate the subtle references only when you understand what these slasher films are about and how they tie into Hendrix’s story.
Furthermore, the addition of various mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and more turn this novel into a psychological thriller. Lynette’s unstable, paranoid thoughts and actions put a unique spin on the story. As she searches for the person targeting the group and the novel progresses, the reader is taken on an adventure as they are led through various plot twists and turns.
Despite the plus points of this novel, Hendrix could have done a better job balancing a complex plot with redundancy and confusion. A main aspect of horror novels is obviously the plethora of plot twists. However, there is a fine line between surprising turns and excessive information. Hendrix adds so many plot twists that it almost seems like the story has no point. Once the story finally ends, we are left in confusion over whether we’re at the real ending or just another plot twist. This ambiguity takes away from the story as a whole as readers are unable to keep up with the rapid pace of the story.
Final Girl Support Group primarily focuses on the bloody, gory, murderous type of horror. There are a lot of detailed descriptions of fighting and violence. The story of every final girl is essentially a horrifying, gruesome massacre. While this is perfect for horror genre lovers, others may not find it so appealing. If you’re a fan of classic slasher films, then this book is definitely something you should look out for.
All in all, if you’re an ardent horror movie watcher or a passionate Halloween enthusiast, this book is perfect for you. The many references and easter eggs will make this an enjoyable read as you hunt for subtle suggestions from your favorite movies. You’ll like the rigorous pace and easy language even if you aren’t a huge reader. But, if you aren’t interested in the widespread genre of horror, maybe find a more lighthearted book better suited to your tastes.
