Before Freddy Krueger became one of horror's most recognizable villains, there was a real medical mystery that left doctors searching for answers and families terrified to go to sleep.
In the late 20th century, otherwise healthy Southeast Asian refugees began losing their lives in their sleep after reporting terrifying nightmares. The phenomenon became known as Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS), and the unexplained cases eventually caught the attention of filmmaker Wes Craven.
In this episode of Reel Horror: The True Story Behind the Movies, we're exploring the real medical phenomenon that helped inspire A Nightmare on Elm Street, the refugee experiences connected to the cases, the frightening reports that victims shared before they passed, and the other surprising inspirations behind Freddy Krueger's name, appearance, sweater, and iconic glove. One of them comes from one of my favorite meals.
Sometimes the scariest horror stories don't come from Hollywood. They come from real life.
Do you think Freddy Krueger is one of the greatest horror villains of all time?
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