“A proper artist with a razor.”
Arguably the oldest slasher on this list, Sweeney Todd may not immediately come to mind when talking about slashers and slasher films, but he definitely fits the bill. The character originated in 1846 in a printed serial, also known as penny dreadfuls, titled The String Of Pearls. From there the character would appear in numerous novels, stage productions, comic books, television shows, and at least five films. For this post, we will focus on the 2007 version of the character from Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street.
Portrayed by Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd is actually the alias of Benjamin Barker, a barber who is framed for a crime that he did not commit so that the local judge, Turpin (Alan Rickman), could steal his wife away from him. After serving time in Australia, Barker returns to London with revenge on his mind. Using the alias of Todd, Barker opens a new barbershop above Mrs. Lovett’s meat pie shop. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), hoping to win Sweeney Todd’s heart, helps him set up a barber’s chair with a trap door which allows him to dump his victims’ bodies into her kitchen where she grounds them into meat pies.
Unlike the other slashers on this list, Todd doesn’t have to chase or hunt down his victims. They unwittingly walk into his shop, sit in his barber’s chair, and expose their necks to him for “the closest shave you will ever know.” After cutting their throats, Todd dumps the bodies below. Also unlike many of the slashers on this list, Todd is rather messy with his murders. He also has to protect his daughter, who he almost murders, and unknowingly kills his own wife whom he thought was dead (thanks to the deception of Mrs. Lovett).
Todd’s weapons are his straight razors, whom he calls his old friends. He’s lethal and quick with the blades. He has wild black hair with a white streak to one side. His clothing is simple, dark Victorian clothes. He often lets his hunger for revenge overtake his demeanor but, thankfully, Mrs. Lovett keeps him in check.
Sweeney Todd is rarely mentioned in slasher circles, primarily because of his association with musicals and stage productions. Many consider the character to be “high art” and not necessarily lowbrow enough to qualify as a slasher. I disagree with this notion. He’s a slasher through and through.
Thanks for checking out today’s post. Sweeney Todd may not be considered a slasher by many, but he’s a perfect killing machine in my opinion. More mayhem is coming tomorrow!
Ken's Alternate Universe! 