In 2021, Netflix launched a new horror trilogy based on R.L. Stine’s Fear Street book series. This trilogy was released in an unusual way, with each film premiering on consecutive Fridays to create a unique event-style release. Some viewers thought this trilogy was just Netflix trying to capitalize on the popularity of Stranger Things, as it featured a period setting and young cast. However, these films became popular in their own right due to Leigh Janiak’s skillful direction, complex character development, a narrative focusing on social themes and the LGBTQ+ community, and well-timed slasher scenes. Despite the success of the Fear Street trilogy, it seems strange that Netflix waited so long to release a fourth movie. Watching Fear Street: Prom Queen makes us wish they had waited even longer because this latest installment falls short of what made the first three movies special.
1988 serves as the backdrop for “Fear Street: Prom Queen,” a story that revisits the city of Shadyside, known for its turbulent past involving violence and economic disparity, often overshadowed by its more prosperous neighbor, Sunnyvale. In the original trilogy, the divide between these two communities was integral, but in “Prom Queen, it’s merely hinted at through casual dialogues, primarily for recognition rather than significantly influencing the plot. Conversely, this fourth film predominantly unfolds within Shadyside High, where six ambitious seniors compete fiercely to claim the prestigious prom queen title.
Initially, there’s the Wolf Pack, a group of four well-known girls, headed by Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza). Later, the competition features Christy Renault (Ariana Greenblatt), a rule-breaker dealing drugs, and Lori Granger (India Fowler), an outsider often bullied because of rumors that her mother allegedly killed her father at prom years ago. It’s no surprise that the night of the prom becomes violent as a mysterious killer begins hunting the participants, brutally eliminating them without mercy.
The core concept of “Fear Street: Prom Queen” seems to deviate from the spirit of the franchise. Unlike previous films, which centered around women’s love and camaraderie, this new installment focuses on the shallow rivalries among high school girls, who are often portrayed with just one or two defining traits. The movie appears uninterested in delving into the characters’ motivations, and after a lengthy introduction of each character, most of them quickly become mere victims without much depth, agency, or significance. This is quite a stark difference from the “Fear Street” trilogy, where even minor characters stand out due to their decisions and actions.
In the latest Fear Street, Lori and Tiffany, who seem to have a longstanding rivalry, receive a larger share of screen time compared to other characters. However, this additional focus doesn’t seem to benefit either character significantly. Lori’s ambition to defy the odds and become prom queen stems from worn-out tropes, including her unsubtle affection for Tiffany’s boyfriend, the jock. Tiffany, on the other hand, embodies the stereotypical popular girl who is always cruel, as dictated by outdated cliches. This portrayal of the two main female characters makes them incredibly dull to watch, almost inducing boredom. Yet, Suzanna Son’s character, Megan Rogers, Lori’s friend, seems to be the most underutilized talent in the film, serving as a questionable representation of queer characters in an overtly heteronormative high school narrative.
The ‘Fear Street’ franchise, which the movie ‘Prom Queen’ is part of, also loses its knack for surprising viewers. Each original trilogy film progressively unveiled intricate connections within a mystery, making fans doubt every rule in the supernatural scenario. Unlike these films, ‘Fear Street: Prom Queen’ follows a more traditional slasher movie pattern without deviating until the very end. The lack of unexpected twists and underwhelming kill scenes make the overall experience less exhilarating than it potentially could have been.
The team behind the special effects in “Fear Street: Prom Queen” strives to enhance each grisly scene, skillfully utilizing practical effects and gory makeup to inject some excitement into an otherwise monotonous narrative. However, the deaths are overly familiar, failing to leave a lasting impression. Moreover, these sequences are undermined by hasty editing that skips the tension-building process in favor of quickly splattering the screen with blood, allowing for more repetitive arguments between Lori and Tiffany. With no emotional attachment to the victims or suspenseful buildup before the deadly blow, even the copious gore of “Prom Queen” can’t save it from being dull. It’s evident that the franchise has felt the absence of Janiak, as “Prom Queen” lacks the dynamic direction that characterized the initial films.
Although there are some positive aspects, such as maintaining the stylish lighting from the original trilogy and accurately capturing the ’80s vibe with clothing, hairstyles, and music, the latest Fear Street installment, titled Prom Queen, is generally disappointing within the franchise. It’s the weakest in the series and falls short as a slasher film, lacking depth in characters, themes, and overall script quality. If it weren’t branded under the “Fear Street” name, it could almost pass as a casual horror movie you might watch with friends when you want something uncomplicated to play in the background.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Fear Street: Prom Queen is now streaming on Netflix.
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2025-05-23 07:11