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heads-up: Major spoilers for Fear Street: Prom Queen and Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy from 2021!

Following the success of Netflix’s 2021 Fear Street movie trilogy, the streaming platform decided to expand its horror franchise, which is based on R.L. Stine’s popular YA horror series. Leigh Janiak directed all three full-length movies that made up the original Fear Street trilogy, focusing on a deadly curse haunting the town of Shadyside. In 2025, the franchise received a fourth installment with the release of Fear Street: Prom Queen.

In contrast to Janiak’s “Fear Street” series that heavily relied on Shadyside and Sarah Fier’s ancient curse from the 1600s, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” functioned more independently, introducing a fresh batch of prospective victims without direct ties to characters from the initial trilogy. While “Fear Street: Prom Queen” subtly hinted at a shared lore connection in its conclusion, it largely operated as a standalone entity, independent of the previous installments. Across the four movies in the “Fear Street” franchise, certain aspects excelled while others fell short to varying degrees.

4. Fear Street: Prom Queen

The Fourth Installment Is The Weakest

Instead of expanding on the storyline from Janiak’s Fear Street movies or creating a spinoff based on an event mentioned in the trilogy, the fourth film, titled Fear Street: Prom Queen, chose a different path. This movie, directed by Matt Palmer, was adapted from R.L. Stine’s 1992 book, The Prom Queen, and it took place in 1988, fitting neatly into Fear Street’s established timeline. In the latest installment, the Shadyshide massacre happened during the high school prom, with masked killers focusing on the Prom Queen candidates and their dates.

India Fowler shone as Lori Granger among the cast of “Fear Street: Prom Queen,” but it should be noted that the ’80s-set film didn’t have a strong supporting cast like its other “Fear Street” counterparts. Characters in the 1994 and 1978 entries were more memorable, making audiences care about their survival. Even the antagonists in 1978 increased the tension in already tense situations. Unfortunately, the characters in “Prom Queen” tended to be easily forgotten.

Regarding the film, “Prom Queen” seemed poised to offer a delightful, cheesy teenage slasher experience, but unfortunately, it failed to introduce anything fresh to the genre and relied excessively on horror tropes instead. Although the Falconer family twist could appeal to some viewers, the movie’s narrative was diminished due to its weak connections to Fear Street lore. The credits scene hinting at a Sarah Fier connection was also unimpressive, appearing more like a hastily added extra rather than an effort to create a cohesive and engaging plot link.

3. Fear Street Part Two: 1978

1978 Is Fun, But It’s Not At The Same Level As The Rest Of The Trilogy

As a fan, I must admit that while “Fear Street Part Two: 1978” wasn’t a poorly-crafted film by any means, it did showcase some aspects that were slightly less compelling compared to the other chapters in the trilogy. After the events of the 1994 chapter, my character Deena and her brother Josh sought assistance from C. Berman, a survivor of the 1978 Camp Nightwing massacre, in an attempt to save Sam from falling prey to the witch’s curse. This sequel introduced a fascinating group of characters, such as C. Berman’s younger self, Ziggy, her sister, Cindy, and Tommy, who tragically became the latest victim of the curse.

1978, similar to other installments in the Fear Street series, drew inspiration from well-known horror films such as Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp. This influence was clearly seen in the slasher references, or Easter eggs, scattered throughout the story. However, the narrative seemed constrained by having only one killer as the main antagonist during most of this tale. While the gore was intensified to match the summer camp slasher genre, the limited variety of kills made the violence appear excessive, especially when the Berman sisters met their fate beneath the hanging tree.

The characters in the 1978 version of the story were less impactful compared to other installments, as their brief storylines might have been the reason. However, some compelling performances were delivered, such as Sadie Sink’s portrayal of Ziggy Berman, which authentically conveyed the shared pain among Shadyshiders and elicited an emotional reaction from her sister. It seems that the anticipation surrounding Camp Nightwing and the Berman sisters, along with the twist concerning C. Berman’s identity in 1978, may have affected the climax. However, it’s more probable that 1978 succumbed to the common pitfall of being a middle movie in trilogies.

2. Fear Street Part One: 1994

1994 Is A Strong Start For Netflix’s Trilogy

1978 served as a pivotal point in the saga of Shadyside’s curse, while Fear Street Part One: 1994 was instrumental in establishing its fictional realm. After a nod to Scream with a swift murder, 1994 delved into the life of Deena, a teenager grappling with heartache after her girlfriend Sam ended their relationship. Tragically, the Shadyside curse took notice of them when Sam was believed to be marked by Sarah Fier. In response, Deena, her brother Josh, friends Simon and Kate embarked on a mission to save Sam from the relentless killers.

Compared to 1978, where only Tommy Slater was the killer, the ’90s team encountered multiple murderers with supernatural abilities. Besides Tommy, they faced off against the axe-wielding Camp Nightwing killer, and also had to evade Skull Mask and Ruby Lane. The diverse roster of killers created some truly memorable scenes. Not only was their cooperation reminiscent of Stranger Things, but the array of adversaries led to some gruesome deaths, like Kate’s in the grocery store using a bread slicer, which stood out as one of the most impressive kills in the Fear Street series.

1994 effectively showcased the Scream-era of horror with a unique flair by introducing a compelling group of characters, each having their distinct roles. Characters like Kate and Simon were instantly likable, only to suffer heartbreaking fates. Josh emerged as an unexpected hero, while Deena and Sam stood out for their rekindled romance amidst constant brushes with death. Remarkably, 1994 brought a fresh take on the Final Girl trope in Deena, a character not typically seen in horror films, which added depth to the series throughout its trilogy.

1. Fear Street Part Three: 1666

The Third Entry In Netflix’s Original Trilogy Brings Everything Together

It might come as a surprise to some that the final installment of the trilogy, titled Fear Street Part Three: 1666, was actually its most impactful. This is noteworthy considering it was also the most daring in terms of execution. The narrative took viewers on a journey back to the 1600s, where it revealed the roots of the curse. Sarah Fier, a resident of the settlement that eventually became Shadyside, was falsely accused of being a witch, along with her forbidden lover, Hannah. In actuality, Solomon Goode struck a deal with the devil, introducing the curse to Shadyside, which would endure for centuries. However, this truth was concealed when Sarah was hanged.

In the exhilarating finale of Janiak’s trilogy, set in 1666, the story came to a deeply gratifying end. It was equally exciting to witness actors reprising their roles from different characters in the 17th century, notably those who met untimely deaths. Although the shocking twist of the Goode family villain played a crucial role in wrapping up the trilogy, the truth about Sarah evoked a powerful response. Learning her tragic fate, given she was essentially executed for loving another woman, was incredibly heart-wrenching. The disclosure about Sarah’s grim destiny served as the impetus for the actual final act, enabling the trilogy to return to the main narrative timeline.

In a shocking twist at the end, “1994: Part 2” appeared, allowing the ’90s characters to lay the curse to rest once they learned the truth about Sarah and the Goode family. Deena and Josh teamed up with C. Berman and Martin to bring down Sheriff Nick Goode, who was maintaining the deadly rituals that were causing havoc in Shadyside. Following a thrilling confrontation with a serial killer in the local mall, Deena emerged victorious, killing Nick and saving the town, including Sam.

In the original trilogy, Deena and Sam’s affectionate tale held a central role, echoing Sarah and Hannah’s bond but with a much brighter conclusion. This circular plot twist demonstrated that the queer romance was not just an intriguing element, but a vital aspect of the larger narrative. Furthermore, the climax of the Fear Street trilogy hinted at potential future installments, as horror enthusiasts are well aware that evil entities and eternal curses rarely disappear for good.

2025-05-24 15:42