#5: THE KRUEGER COMPLEX

There is a layered depth to the creation of the Freddy Kruger character from A Nightmare on Elm Street that goes beyond the subplot of his villainy and Robert Englund's amplified characterization (not excluding Jackie Earle Hayley's more understated approach in the 2010 reboot, image above). 

Aside from the beaten, brown fedora and the his trademark, man-made claw, Wes Craven's choice of Kruger's attire--a red and green striped sweater--was not accidental.  It seems like an odd, presumably distracting exterior for a grotesque, supernaturally murderous figure such as Kruger (kinda like like putting Michael Meyers in a Cosby sweater).  However, what Craven intended was by communicated a visual contrast with Kruger's appearance, featuring the contrasting colors of red and green, two of the hardest colors for the human eye to process. 

Here, Wes Craven discusses his approach to Kruger's iconic look: 

-MTK