In 2021, R.L. Stine’s Fear Street universe received its first movie adaptations: a quietly excellent trilogy directed by newcomer Leigh Janiak and not based on a singular Stine novel. All three films (1994, 1978, and 1666) were released a week apart, were anthological from one another, yet still connected, had brutal kills, fantastic scores, and nostalgic soundtracks. The trilogy wrapped itself up well and did a wonderful job of bringing Stine’s dreaded town of Shadyside to life.
Now, four years later, Netflix has brought Shadyside back to its platform, this time, in the form of Fear Street: Prom Queen, based on one of Stine’s standalone novels, Fear Street #15: The Prom Queen. For this film, Janiak was not involved, and instead was directed by Matt Palmer, and written by a new team, including Palmer and Donald McLeary (Calibre).
Fear Street: Prom Queen’s cast is interesting, as most of the film’s main characters are lesser-known actors who have mostly starred in various TV show episodes. Some of the strange supporting cast are recognizable in bit roles, including Lili Taylor (The Conjuring), Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie), Katherine Waterston (Alien: Covenant, Fantastic Beasts), and American Pie’s Chris Klein.
The story follows Lori Granger (India Fowler), a high school student who is running for prom queen against the school’s resident jerk, Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza), and her group of friends known as “The Wolfpack.” Lori’s past is a muddied one, as Tiffany and her friends have perpetuated a rumor that Lori’s mother murdered her father years prior.
Related: ‘Fear Street Part One: 1994’ Review: A Nostalgic Blast of a Slasher Flick
As prom looms close, candidates start to disappear at the hands of a masked killer, who seems to be picking them off one by one before finally going after Lori and her prom date, Megan (Suzanna Son).
While Fear Street: Prom Queen acknowledges that it takes place in the same universe as the first trilogy, with some quick clips from Fear Street: 1978, the similarities in quality between the two stories end there. What we get with this film is a competent but stereotypical prom night slasher movie that isn’t as creative or iconic as Prom Night and isn’t as absurd and fun as Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II.
Almost none of the characters are likable, and not because most of them are mean girls, but because even the people we’re supposed to root for have almost no depth or development. Lori’s given this murderous backstory about her mother, but outside of a few throwaway lines in the beginning and the end, she’s not explored much, and neither is her nemesis, Tiffany. Everyone else in the film, in typical slasher fashion, is fodder.
Granted, not every memorable slasher movie has to have great character development. There are plenty of excellent and iconic slasher movies out there with bad characters, but usually they have something about them that separates them from the pack; a fun or unique backstory (The Prowler, Silent Night, Deadly Night), incredible kills (Intruder), or some kind of great twist (Friday the 13th: A New Beginning). Unfortunately, Fear Street: Prom Queen just kind of treads water in every category.
Related: ‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’ Review: Delivers a Fun & Emotional Slasher
In the bizarre subgenre of prom horror that already has some awesome movies, like Carrie, Prom Night, and even the recent Tragedy Girls, there must be something unique that makes the film stand out.
Even the kills didn’t move away from the typical hack-and-slash much, and when they did, it was followed up by a goofy moment, like a man trying to open a door with no hands, or a character losing his arm and saying, “wowzers!”
In just the last year, we’ve gotten Heart Eyes, Clown in a Cornfield, In a Violent Nature, MaXXXine, Terrifier 3, and Thanksgiving. All slashers that provided outside-the-box moments in different areas throughout the films. I don’t typically like to compare movies, but when a subgenre of horror is so saturated and revered, it becomes difficult not to get nitpicky about seeing the same thing over again.
With that being said, I do think Fear Street: Prom Queen did a decent enough job of feeling like it was part of the Shadyside universe. There was a level of mystery and unease throughout the setting and its characters, in an almost Derry, Maine-esque way. The lighting and cinematography from Márk Gyõri were solid, too, giving off the solidly ‘80s vibe that we’re all so nostalgic for.
I think the movie’s biggest strengths come from its score and soundtrack. The score was composed by the Newton Brothers, who have done a ton of work in the horror genre, most famously scoring almost all of Mike Flanagan’s projects, including Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Haunting of Hill House, and Doctor Sleep.
Related: Review: ‘Fear Street Part Three: 1666’ Offers a Solid Finish to the Trilogy
The soundtrack was a bop, plain and simple. Catchy ‘80s bangers were played throughout the whole film, and gave life to scenes that needed it. You’ll find yourself singing along to hits like “White Wedding” by Billy Idol, “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran, and, of course, “Gloria” by Laura Branigan, for the film’s dance off.
Overall, Fear Street: Prom Night wasn’t a bad film, but it wasn’t particularly good or memorable, and it probably won’t be one I watch again. It’s a shame, because the 2021 trilogy has made it into rotational viewings, and it would have been nice to keep the ball rolling with the Fear Street series. As always, I still recommend giving it a watch and making your own decision, but for me, it’s not something I’d go out of my way to see on movie night.
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