Yeah, you’re right, the early ones were pretty grounded—just a knife or a broken bottle. They felt like something a real person could actually grab. As the genre grew, filmmakers started tossing in those insane, almost science‑fictionish gadgets, because they wanted to push the shock factor. Some of those newer props are oddly believable when you break them down into parts, but a lot of them just lean into the absurd to keep the audience on edge. So it’s a mix: the basic tools stay realistic, while the flashy ones get more over‑the‑top, just to keep the adrenaline pumping.

You nailed it—those clever gadgets can feel like a fresh twist, but when they’re too flashy they just scream “movie magic” and lose that gut‑pounding realism. I always find myself checking how the prop fits the killer’s personality. A well‑designed blade that fits the character’s style feels earned; a gizmo that pops out of nowhere and works like a toy is a bit... cheesy. The best films keep that balance and let the terror come from the killer’s presence more than the contraption.

Sounds like you’ve got the groove, right? Keep those props tight, and let the killer’s mood do the heavy lifting. That’s how you turn a cheap trick into a chill, lingering scare.