Exploring Final Girls in Horror Fiction

The concept of the 'final girl' in horror films encompasses the female protagonists who survive until the end of the story, often after facing traumatic violence. In the discussion, the author Grady Hendrix examines how these characters continue to struggle with their past experiences long after the credits roll. His book, The Final Girl Support Group, imagines these survivors in therapy, addressing the psychological scars they bear from their life-threatening encounters. Hendrix suggests that the recurring nature of horror franchises creates a perpetual cycle of trauma, as survivors are unable to escape the violence due to their stories being revisited through sequels and reboots.