1988's Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is a horror-comedy chock full of sexual innuendos and jokes on-brand for the titular horror host. However, beneath the comedy, the film hides a surprisingly deep message about acceptance spotlighted in Elvira's (Cassandra Peterson) trip to the fictional town of Fallwell, Massachusetts.

With big plans to front a Las Vegas act, Elvira jumps at the opportunity to travel to Fallwell after learning of a promising inheritance from her estranged great-aunt Morgana. However, the small-town residents are less than thrilled to have the "heavy metal weirdo" corrupting their high schoolers -- even if Elvira's "corruption" just involves encouraging the kids to cut loose and see a few horrifically bad horror movies. Despite this, the majority of the town disapproves of her aesthetic which is one of the reasons they are so quick to employ Elvira's Uncle Vinny's plan to burn her at the stake for witchcraft. In reality, Uncle Vinny is actually Elvira: Mistress of the Dark's true villain. However, the townsfolk are too preoccupied with Elvira to notice.

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Elvira Mistress of the Dark - bowling alley

Of course, Elvira saves the day and the town from Vinny's wizardly wrath. And by the film's conclusion, Fallwell's previously rude residents are lined up to thank her. While the Razzie Award-nominated film certainly is far from a masterpiece, it nonetheless hides a powerful message of acceptance. When Elvira first arrives in town, the residents can't get past her appearance. From the black low-cut dress and the dramatic makeup to the skulls and spider web detailing on her car, they immediately sum her up as a gothic "weirdo" whose main goal is to tempt their children with sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.

And while Elvira can't resist a good sexual pun, her ambitions couldn't be further from the townfolks' assumptions. In fact, she's a businesswoman looking to make it big in Las Vegas. However, nobody asks her what she does for a living, and when she tries finding a job later in the film, every store turns her away based solely on her appearance and the accompanying prejudice.

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Elvira Mistress of the Dark - Chastity Pariah and Elvira

Her appearance also accounts for some uncomfortable interactions with a number of Fallwell men. From Vinny's henchman to her realtor, everyone assumes that she must be "easy" because she shows some skin. As such, they sexually assault her, forcing Elvira to fend them off with whatever means necessary. The handsy realtor even goes as far as to spin the encounter to the council, saying Elvira came on to him. Unfortunately, his false claim only cements the fact that she must be a "slut" and "harlot," as Chastity Pariah not-so-lovingly refers to her.

By Elvira: Mistress of the Dark's climax, the people are willing to burn Elvira alive simply for looking different. It's an exceptionally cruel punishment for somebody that did nothing bad or illegal. When they are proved wrong by Uncle Vinny's evil doings, it's a powerful reminder to audiences not to judge a book by its cover. As such, Elvira's ascension to hero status is well deserved. Because as the town spent the majority of the film pointing their finger at someone "different," they let evil creep up in the shadows.

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