The Final Girl Support Group HBO Max - What We Know So Far
Final girls are an integral part of the horror genre, and slashers in particular. The term final girl was first coined by Carol J. Clover in her 1992 book "Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film," and it's been used since to categorize the last surviving character in horror films — though they don't always survive the entire movie. Final girls usually have several traits in common, including an "innocence" that sets them apart from their peers, gender-neutral names, and intelligence and curiosity that aid them in their survival.
Because final girls are such a popular trope, it's no wonder there are also popular books that play with the concept. Grady Hendrix's bestselling 2021 horror novel, "The Final Girl Support Group," has been selected by The New York Times, Oprah Daily, and Time Magazine, among several other prestigious platforms (via Penguin Random House). Now, the thrilling read is on its way to the small screen — it's set for a TV series adaptation on HBO Max. Here's everything we know so far about the release date, cast, and plot of "The Final Girl Support Group."
When is The Final Girl Support Group premiering?
The news on the TV adaptation of "The Final Girl Support Group" just dropped, so there's no news on a firm release date. A few other adaptations of Hendrix's works are also in the works, including his novels "Horrorstör," "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, and "My Best Friend's Exorcism," the latter of which is in production at Amazon Studios. It doesn't seem likely that the release dates of any of three projects will interfere with one another, so the premiere date for "The Final Girl Support Group" is completely up in the air.
Hendrix's novel "The Final Girl Support Group" just came out on July 13, so it's likely that the show won't be out for at least a couple of years. Perhaps they'll schedule a fall premiere to keep the spooky spirit alive — but everything at this point is speculation. We'll be sure to update you once we know more.
Who will be in The Final Girl Support Group?
The cast of "The Final Girl Support Group" also has yet to be announced, though the crew that's attached to it is notable. According to Deadline, Charlize Theron, AJ Dix, Beth Kono, and Andrew Haas from Theron's production company, Denver & Delilah Films, are set to executive produce the series, alongside Barbara Muschietti, Andy Muschietti (who is set to direct the pilot), and Irene Yeung from Double Dream and Adam Goldworm for Aperture Entertainment. Hendrix is also set to executive produce the series.
There are six main characters at the center of "The Final Girl Support Group," and Theron could potentially star as the lead, Lynnette Tarkington, if she chooses to work behind and in front of the camera. Who knows — we may even get to see some of the all-time best final girls back in action, like Jamie Lee Curtis from "Halloween" or Neve Campbell of "Scream" fame.
Other crew members and writers haven't been announced yet, but so far, the team behind "The Final Girl Support Group" is already impressive.
What's The Final Girl Support Group about?
"The Final Girl Support Group" is a tribute to horror and an ode to final girls. It centers on a girl named Lynnette Tarkington who's an actual final girl — she survived a massacre and lived to tell the tale. To help process her trauma, she's been attending a support group with five other girls who are also the sole survivors of real tragedies, along with a therapist. One day, one of the members doesn't show up for a meeting, and suddenly the girls are thrust back into a world of horror. As the book's synopsis reads: "But the thing about final girls is that no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never, ever give up."
Fans of horror will appreciate how "The Final Girl Support Group" pays homage to the classics while revealing a fresh take on the popular genre. Stay tuned for more information on the series' cast, crew, and release date. If you can't wait any longer, you can read "The Final Girl Support Group" now.