Wes Craven's Elm Street: More Than Just a Slasher?

Okay, so I finally got around to watching A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). I know, I know, HUGE gap in my horror filmography viewing. I'm trying to work my way through the greats, director by director, and Craven was definitely overdue. And yeah, it's a horror classic, but I was honestly surprised by how... weird it is? Like, it's not just a slasher. The premise itself is genius. Your dreams can kill you! The scene where Tina is crawling on the ceiling in her dream... iconic! Honestly, I was expecting it to be more campy, but it's genuinely unsettling. Heather Langenkamp as Nancy is great too. She's way more proactive than your typical scream queen, which I appreciate. That whole sequence where she's setting traps for Freddy is awesome. Plus, Johnny Depp's in it! Baby Depp! What really stuck with me though is the dream logic stuff. It definitely anticipates some of the surreal and psychological horror we see later on. I'm curious what Craven was reading or thinking about at the time. It feels like there's more to it than just scares--like somthing about social anxieties and the power adults hold over children. Maybe I am reachin', but the way the adults gaslight Nancy is almost as scary as Freddy himself! Anyway, I'm definitely adding more Craven to the watchlist! Any recommendations on which of his films to tackle next? Besides the obvious ones, of course!