8 Supporting Horror Characters That Should Have Been The Final Girl

As a film enthusiast with a passion for the chilling world of horror, I can’t help but marvel at the indomitable spirit of heroines like Ellen Ripley and Sidney Prescott. Often hailed as the ‘Final Girls’, these characters have left an indelible mark on the genre, their resilience and resourcefulness etched in our memories long after the credits roll.

This term, ‘Final Girl’, is a cinematic trope used to describe the solitary female survivor who outlives her peers in a horror movie. It’s a device that has proven effective time and again by some of the genre’s greatest masters. Yet, it’s unfortunate that while the limelight usually shines brightest on those characters who manage to escape their cinematic ordeals unscathed, there are others who, despite embodying the spirit of a Final Girl, were tragically cut down too soon.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice an unfortunate pattern in the horror genre. Characters like Tatum Riley and Helen Shivers, who should be celebrated for their strength and resilience, are often subjected to heartbreaking ends that feel unjust and unfair. It’s a trend that leaves me wondering, “What if they had survived?” or “What if justice had prevailed?” These characters leave a lasting impression, not just for their performances, but also as poignant reminders of the potential stories left untold.

8. Taryn White

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

Jennifer Rubin breathed life into Taryn White, a supporting character in “A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors” (1987), who left an indelible mark in a short time. As a significant supporting character, Taryn is initially portrayed as a patient at Westin Hills Psychiatric Hospital battling substance abuse problems. However, being one of the last Elm Street survivors, she courageously joins the “Dream Warriors” to save Rodney Eastman’s Joey, who has been trapped by Freddy Krueger and left comatose in the real world after his capture.

In essence, it’s Taryn’s extraordinary “dream abilities” that make her an ideal candidate for the final girl role in the story. Her character becomes a tough, leather-clad action heroine in the dream world, able to stand up against Krueger’s immense power. Unfortunately, Taryn’s courage costs her the opportunity to be the final girl. Despite putting up a strong fight, she is unfortunately defeated after an intense battle with her nemesis, who cruelly uses her drug addiction against her by replacing his usual claws with syringes.

7. Liz Hunter

Wolf Creek (2005)

Initially, it seems that Cassandra Magrath’s character Liz Hunter would be a better choice as the final survivor in the movie ‘Wolf Creek’, compared to Kesti Morassi’s Kristy Earl. However, sadly, neither woman manages to survive in the 2005 horror film. The story of ‘Wolf Creek’ draws some inspiration from real life events, and Greg Mclean crafts a chilling portrayal of Hunter and her companions being pursued across the Australian outback by Mick Taylor, a ruthless serial killer expertly played by John Jarratt in an outstanding performance.

Liz solidifies her “final girl” status with displays of remarkable resilience and ingenuity, bravely counterattacking Taylor and saving Kristy from his grasp after he first abducts them. Consequently, it seems unfair that her fortunes take a turn for the worse when she returns to the lair of the killer to grab a vehicle. Tragically, Hunter is ruthlessly taken down by their sadistic captor in a gruesome manner. Taylor maims Liz by chopping off her fingers and leaves her paralyzed by plunging a knife into her spine, seeking information about Kristy’s whereabouts. Before finally killing her in a prolonged torment, he tortures her cruelly for this information.

6. Clear Rivers

Final Destination 2 (2003)

In terms of characters who should have been the main survivor in these horror movies, Clear Rivers from “Final Destination 2” stands out as an exception because she had already survived the events depicted in the 2000 film “Final Destination,” which was a precursor to its 2003 sequel. As the sole survivor of the ill-fated Flight 180, Clear demonstrated her intelligence by avoiding death on multiple occasions, even going so far as to voluntarily admit herself into a psychiatric hospital following Alex Browning’s death. Despite this, she had the courage to rejoin the group after they were targeted by Death following the Route 23 pile-up.

Although Ali Larter’s character convincingly argued for the “final girl” title again in the second film, unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way. In the movie’s dramatic ending, her character, unknowingly, dislodges a plug in a hospital room, which had been filling with explosive gas from a leaking oxygen tank. The ensuing spark triggers an explosion that sends this ill-fated potential final girl to her demise, charring Clear before she could even register shock.

5. Eva Watanabe

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989)

In the role of the final girl for the 1989 film “Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan,” Rennie Wickham is often seen as one of the least engaging characters in the entire Friday the 13th slasher series. Jensen Daggett’s character, while not particularly inspiring, seems rather unremarkable even within the context of a poorly received horror movie. This becomes particularly evident when compared to some of her more acclaimed counterparts. Therefore, it’s fair to say that Kelly Hu’s character, Eva Watanabe, might have been a more memorable choice for a standout final girl in this series.

In essence, Eva managed to make a significant impact on screen in a short span of time, leaving viewers charmed and drawn to her, contrasting greatly with Daggett who seemed less likable throughout the whole film. A stark opposite to her cruel friend Tamara, Eva radiated an empathetic presence that felt genuine, likely captivating audiences. Although Hu’s role wasn’t meant for a final girl like Ellen Ripley or Laurie Strode, it’s difficult not to feel that potential was squandered with Eva’s untimely end. It’s hard not to notice the missed opportunity in her demise, especially considering the overall film’s disappointing quality.

4. Kate Schmidt

Fear Street: Part One: 1994 (2021)

The first movie in a three-part Netflix series adapted from R.L. Stine’s book series, titled “Fear Street Part One: 1994“, tells the story of a group of friends dealing with sinister supernatural events in their town. This film received praise for its strong ensemble cast, with Julia Rehwald’s character, Kate Schmidt, often highlighted as one of the standout performances in the “Fear Street” trilogy. Throughout the movie, Kate demonstrates her unwavering loyalty to Kiana Madeira’s Deena by bravely confronting the Shadyside Killers. In a creative twist, she even uses a can of hairspray as an improvised flamethrower.

Regrettably, despite Rehwald’s character boasting an impressive resume that seemed promising for a final girl candidate, it failed to shield her from one of the more brutal deaths in contemporary horror cinema. Following a struggle with the possessed Ryan Torres, Schmidt ends up being fatally injured by a stomach wound. Her demise is further gruesomely depicted as she meets her end with her head getting forced through a bread slicer.

3. Sam

Green Room (2016)

2016’s “Green Room,” often hailed by critics as one of the best independent horror movies, narrates the tough predicament of a punk band named The Ain’ts, who are trapped in the titled venue after witnessing a murder at a concert by Neo-Nazi extremists. Showcasing their bravery and integrity amidst extremely unfavorable circumstances, it becomes challenging not to cheer for each band member individually, with the guitarist Sam being a standout character that audiences can’t help but rally behind, especially in his unique struggle.

In a stellar portrayal by Alia Shawkat from “Arrested Development,” the captivating musician valiantly struggles against the band’s harrowing predicament, even though she seems utterly overwhelmed. Moreover, her character appears to be markedly more compassionate than the film’s final girl, Amber, played by Imogen Poots, who comes across as surly. This makes Sam’s grisly demise at the hands of one of the skinhead’s vicious fighting dogs resonate even more deeply. Sam is the last member of the band to perish in this gruesome manner.

2. Tatum Riley

Scream (1996)

Rose McGowan brilliantly portrayed Tatum Riley from the iconic series “Scream.” Often cited as an early example of a powerful supporting character whose time was tragically cut short, Tatum is admired for her charm, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty. The enduring cultural influence of this beloved character, who was Sidney Prescott’s charismatic friend, is evident in the fact that she continues to be fondly remembered by a significant portion of horror enthusiasts, nearly three decades after Wes Craven’s groundbreaking slasher film premiered in 1996.

In a grisly manner, Ghostface ended Tatum’s life through a dog door, making her an intriguing possibility as the last surviving character. However, Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott is a legendary horror figure, so it was questionable if Riley should have taken over her role as the final girl in the movie. Despite this, Riley was such an engaging side character that it’s difficult not to imagine an alternate scenario where she survived, given the long-lasting influence and cultural significance of the Scream franchise.

1. Helen Shivers

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Fans have regretted since 1997, when the character debuted in “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” that likable horror character Helen Shivers didn’t survive to the end. Played by Sarah Michelle Gellar in a performance that was highly praised, Helen has gained a cult following that may even surpass the popularity of the movie itself. Many believe that Helen could have made a more intriguing main character and final girl than Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Julie James for the film.

As a devoted cinephile, I can confidently say that Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character in “Shivers” offers one of the most groundbreaking and impactful portrayals of female character development in horror movie history. Her character, with her wide streak of strength, challenges traditional genre norms and paves the way for numerous empowered characters to emerge afterward.

However, heartbreakingly, her journey is cut short when she meets a gruesome end at the hands of the film’s hook-handed killer, following an exhilarating chase sequence that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. This unfortunate turn of events makes “Shivers” a standout in cinema history, as it presents a horror supporting character who, in hindsight, could have been the ‘final girl.’ To this day, her performance continues to be celebrated as a powerful example of what could have been.

2025-04-20 18:10