Through Last House on the Left, Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream – who has died aged 76 – Craven dictated the genre so confidently no Hollywood horror director isn’t deeply indebted, no audience member left untouched Related: Wes Craven: professional scaremonger who rewrote his own horror rules If you can judge a film-maker’s influence by how many copycats they inspire, then Wes Craven has to be seen as one of the most influential.