Movies

Fear Street: Prom Queen Risks Losing Fans in Its Silly Nostalgic Slasher

BBG News

The Fear Street trilogy, penned by R.L. Stine of Goosebumps fame, solidified its place as a notable contemporary horror series for teenagers. The films strike an appealing balance between children’s and adult’s horror, thanks to their intricately connected storyline, high-profile casts, and imaginative deaths. Following the 2021 Netflix debut of the prequel Fear Street 1666, the franchise took a break. However, it’s making a comeback with renewed intensity in a slasher film set in the 1980s.

Approximately a decade ago, in the blue-collar town of Shadyside, Lori Granger’s mother stood accused of murdering Lori’s father during the prom night. Despite being tormented by the ruthless mean girl gang, the Wolf Pack, spearheaded by Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza), Lori Granger (India Fowler) unexpectedly chooses to compete for prom queen, leaving her rebellious best friend and horror enthusiast, Megan (Suzanna Son), bewildered. As the prom evening unfolds, bizarre incidents start occurring: one by one, the potential prom queens mysteriously vanish, only to meet tragic ends. It doesn’t take long for Lori to realize that her aspirations for becoming prom queen and her very life are at stake.

Fear Street: Prom Queen Out-80s The 1980s

This Teen Slasher Goes All-In On 1980s Glamor, Nostalgia And Vintage Horror

In the midst of a modern resurgence in horror movies, films like “Hell of a Summer” and “Clown In a Cornfield” have re-emerged, filling the gap left behind. It appears that “Fear Street: Prom Queen” is set to follow suit – given that the “Fear Street” series, Stine’s darker and edgier teen take on “Goosebumps,” also pays homage to classic horror films, this seems fitting. “Fear Street: Prom Queen” takes the franchise’s affection for campy, nostalgic period pieces and amplifies it significantly. It transcends the historically accurate yet overtly nostalgic period drama elements, as seen in shows like “Stranger Things,” and instead delves into an 80s-inspired aesthetic escapism that seeks to outdo the actual 1980s. The film takes popular 80s teen tropes and amplifies them to levels far beyond the original era, sacrificing period accuracy for a more extreme interpretation of these themes. In essence, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” seems to have been created to delve deeper into the fashion, design, pop culture, and music of the 1980s that were only hinted at in the “Fear Street” trilogy.

In my opinion, this film offers a captivating blend of eye-catching set design, snappy characters, and chic, fast-paced violence, and Fear Street: Prom Queen certainly delivers on that promise. Granted, the art direction may not be historically spot-on, portraying the ’80s more as a mid-2020s interpretation, but it still manages to look visually appealing, particularly when it comes to depicting prom-goers turned grisly splatters. The characters are largely stereotypical, with the mean girl clique being no exception, yet there’s something oddly entertaining about watching them meet their gruesome ends. However, the only characters that truly showcase depth and complexity are our tormented protagonist, Lori Granger, and her resilient best friend, Megan – a woman who combines dry wit with a keen understanding of horror tropes. Their endurance through countless acts of bullying and cruelty makes the graphic violence – think prosthetic entrails spilling from prom gowns, limbs being severed, faces mutilated by cleavers and circular saws – all the more cathartic.

Fear Street: Prom Queen Is Style Over Substance – And That’s OK

This New Chapter Dazzles Visually In Its Production Design, Score, And Practical Effects

Fear Street: Prom Queen” delivers a delightful blast from the past, and it excels at doing just that. However, it doesn’t offer any groundbreaking or revolutionary content, not even within the series itself. Despite the impressive performances by its skilled cast, stunning sets, top-notch effects, and an intriguing twist ending, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” is a straightforward and uncomplicated story.

The plot follows a familiar path: an underdog and her confident friend find themselves pitted against a cruel group of popular girls vying for the prom queen title. Lori’s mother has been framed for a crime, and she endures mistreatment at every turn, save for the kindness shown by Megan and the leader of the clique, Tiffany’s disenchanted jock boyfriend, Tyler.

The killer, with a questionable disguise, a motive, and an extensive collection of weapons, begins to eliminate the prom queen candidates for a clear reason and in a specific order. Chaos erupts, and Lori must step up – with a twist. Is it original? Not particularly. But is it enjoyable to watch? Definitely!

The hooded, axe-bearing slayer in a crimson slicker presents an enigmatic puzzle, devoid of the flamboyant charm typical of contemporaries like Heart Eyes or the legion of Frendo the Clowns. Yet, there’s a hint of anticipation that some might predict, but will undeniably deliver a thrilling payoff. The dialogue is sparse, filled with chilling threats, expository dialogue, brief exchanges, and an abundance of profanity. The selection of ’80s tunes as background music is impressive, if somewhat expected. However, the original synthwave score by the Newton Brothers stands out. It’s a unique blend of John Carpenter, Power Glove, and the soundtracks from the Puppet Combo horror games.

)

The mystery figure with an axe, dressed in red rain gear, is a puzzling enigma, lacking the flamboyant style of contemporaries like Heart Eyes or Frendo the Clown’s troupe. Yet, there’s a sense of foreboding that some might sense, but will still find rewarding. The dialogue is minimal, filled with menacing warnings, expository lines, terse conversations, and lots of swear words. The choice of ’80s tracks as background music is impressive, though predictable. But the original synthwave score by the Newton Brothers is exceptional. It’s like a mix of John Carpenter, Power Glove, and the soundtracks from Puppet Combo horror games.)

Prom Queen”. The film’s visual style is reminiscent of teen magazines such as Teen Beat, with a vibrant color palette that includes neon noirs typical of the era. Scenes, particularly those involving violent deaths, threatening moments, and peak prom party scenes, are painted in bold, sweeping color washes from surrounding lights. The overall effect is glamorous, shiny, and slightly hazy, enhanced by high-definition filming and a dynamic darksynth soundtrack.

Fear Street: Prom Queen Stands Out From the Trilogy – For Better And For Awkward

A Good Cast, A Strong Score And Imaginative Kills Elevate A Flat Story

Title “Fear Street: Prom Queen” leans more towards a modern reinterpretation rather than the self-referential style of films like “Scream” or the meta approach of “The Cabin in the Woods“. Instead, it embraces contemporary aesthetics and glamor. This movie openly acknowledges its sources, primarily focusing on the teen slashers from the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s, with a touch of 2000s comedy. Keen horror enthusiasts will spot its inspirations – “Carrie, Heathers, Friday the 13th, Scream, My Bloody Valentine“, and undoubtedly the iconic “Prom Night“, starring Jamie Lee Curtis. In essence, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” is so enthusiastic about its influences and creating a nostalgic 80s atmosphere that it sometimes overlooks its unique narrative.

India Fowler portrays Lori, an earthy, reserved loner who breaks the mold as a final girl; her character is unlike typical ones and brings a fresh feel. Suzanna Son’s Megan stands out as one of the most intelligent characters in modern horror without the pretentiousness often seen in post-modern films. Lastly, Fina Strazza delivers an intense performance as Tiffany, the almost demonic Wolf Pack leader whose cruelty would give Heather Chandler and Regina George sleepless nights. Fear Street: Prom Queen offers these young actors ample opportunities to shine, particularly during the killing spree, adding more style to the storyline than expected. Notable performances include Darrin Baker as the cheerful yet ineffective Principal Wayland and Lili Taylor as the amusingly strict and puritanical Vice President Blackridge, who both manage to elicit laughs. Regrettably, the characters’ arcs receive little or no closure, with an ending that feels abrupt and a brief credit stinger.

The movie titled Fear Street: Prom Queen, much like a witty nod to conventional teen drama and horror stereotypes, cleverly satirizes, pays tribute to, and twists them. Movies such as Prom Night, Heathers, Mean Girls, and others serve as its primary inspirations. It artfully balances subverting both teen drama and horror clichés to deliver an entertaining bloodbath and a surprising plot twist, but ultimately, it’s a brief, around 90-minute film that misses becoming a full-blown camp classic by a hair’s breadth. Fear Street: Prom Queen, despite its glamour and gore, is a respectable yet unremarkable addition to this generally outstanding franchise. Each installment in this anthology has had a distinctive flavor that adds some edge and personality. Fear Street 1666 boasts an eerie, haunting atmosphere unlike any other in the series; Fear Street 1978 is a dedicated tribute to ’70s grindhouse cinema, tailored for teenage viewers; Fear Street 1994 is delightfully self-aware and atmospheric. The trilogy was directed by screenwriter Leigh Janiak, while Fear Street: Prom Queen was directed and co-written by Matt Palmer, with additional writing from Donald McLeary. This could explain the subtle differences in tone, visual style, and approach compared to its predecessors, as well as why it may not fit seamlessly within the series.

In a slightly different phrasing, here’s how you could rephrase that: Even though it has been adjusted and tailored for the trilogy, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” seems to stand out as an anomaly. Despite its shallow nature and minor flaws, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” demonstrates that this series still holds potential for growth and continued success amidst the increasing appetite for teen slasher films during the current horror resurgence. If the “Fear Street” franchise aims to expand beyond the intricate narrative of its initial three movies, then “Prom Queen” is a somewhat clumsy but stylishly acceptable step in a promising direction.

Fear Street: Prom Queen is available to stream on on May 23.

Read More

2025-05-23 18:41

Previous post Superman Release in Jeopardy: New Lawsuit Filed
Next post Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T. Spinoff: Excitement Mixed with Behind-the-Scenes Drama!