This Supernatural Chiller Is One of the Best Horror Sequels of the ‘80s (Now It’s Streaming)

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The 1980s were an exciting time for horror enthusiasts, as numerous legendary horror films were produced during this period. However, there were also several forgettable movies released during the decade. The slasher film “Prom Night,” featuring Jamie Lee Curtis, falls into a middle ground between these two extremes. The movie was financially successful, earning close to $15 million at the box office, but it didn’t win over most critics or fans. Many dismissed it as a routine execution of an outdated concept. However, some of us have fond memories of “Prom Night” because it laid the groundwork for “Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II,” a sequel that surpasses its predecessor in almost every aspect.

If our hint about a sequel exceeding the first one has sparked your interest, you may find delight in knowing that the mentioned production can be streamed on Tubi.

Prom Night II Is Even Better Than Its Predecessor, Yet It Remains Criminally Underrated

You might wonder what sets this sequel apart from its original? That’s an excellent question. Unlike its predecessor, this installment takes a unique route by discarding established elements and adopting a less predictable narrative structure. It also introduces an intriguing new villainess named Mary Lou (played by Lisa Schrage), who was once a prom queen who met a tragic end in a fire on her coronation night. Years later, she returns with supernatural powers to try and reclaim her lost crown.

In contrast to the first film which appeared to follow the conventional slasher pattern, Prom Night II deviates by drawing inspiration from movies such as Carrie and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Unlike its predecessor, this 1987 movie is self-sufficient and the influences are merely stepping stones. The prom and possession themes that effectively work in the mentioned films serve more like superficial resemblances here.

Fundamentally, screenwriter Ron Oliver (known for ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’) explores some prevalent themes and subsequently carves out an original route marked by bloody vengeance. Additionally, he pens Mary Lou as a character who confidently embraces her sexuality without any trace of puritanical embarrassment or shame. This forward-thinking approach to sex positivity was quite rare in 1987, making the film a pioneering effort that stood out in its time.

Movie director Bruce Pittman (known for “Friday the 13th: The Series”) manages to give Oliver’s script a raw and gritty feel that sometimes conceals the movie’s budgetary limitations. Despite being made with just CAD 2.5 million, the final product frequently appears visually impressive, giving the film an upscale feel in certain scenes.

As a devoted fan, I’d express it like this: In “Prom Night II”, I was blown away by the grisly, realistic death scenes. But what truly captured my imagination was the uncaged creativity of FX artist Jim Doyle, who worked on “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. His masterpiece? The scene where the lead character, Vicki (played by Wendy Lyon), hallucinates and gets sucked into a blackboard that defies gravity by transforming into a vertical water body. This scene was mind-bendingly surreal, gripping, and an absolute feast for the imagination.

Despite its striking images, you might still be questioning how this sequel came into being. What’s intriguing is that Prom Night II wasn’t originally intended as a sequel to the 1980 slasher film. The idea to market it as a follow-up was made later on. The producers thought linking the project to an established intellectual property would boost box office sales.

Funny enough, some folks might’ve stayed away from giving this movie a chance due to its label as a sequel. “Prom Night” is indeed a slasher film, but it doesn’t break any new ground in the genre. With the waning interest in slashers by 1987, the anticipation fatigue might have been a factor that kept people from discovering this less-known gem. Interestingly, “Prom Night II” isn’t really a slasher, and it shares only its name with the original.

Here it is, “Prom Night II” is surprisingly overlooked as a sequel (just in name) and boasts an impressive villain. It also dares to be somewhat unique compared to many films from its time period. If you’re intrigued by the idea of watching this movie, head over to Tubi where you can watch it.

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2025-07-13 06:09