As a nine year old, I watched too many horror films too soon.  Many did not scary me, but those that featured a burned child molester with razors for fingers who stalked and killed you in your dreams may have been one step too far.  I remember watching this in my basement by myself on a Saturday and I have never looked back.  Based on a Japanese legend, Wes Craven envelops the audience in an “are they sleeping or aren’t they scenario” and places the viewer in the position of asking themselves, what would you do in this situation?  Could you have figured out what Nancy did at the end?  Was it the end?  Only time will tell.  Here is a link to the entire original series of films:  https://amzn.to/2DbV6wO.  If you are interested in the history of the making of these films, watch this documentary, well worth the time invested: https://amzn.to/2QIh3pK.