I grew up watching the anthology horror series, Goosebumps, based on R.L. Stine’s children’s book series. As a child, I was enthralled by these captivating and scary stories. So when I heard Netflix was doing a horror film trilogy based on R.L. Stine’s teen book series, Fear Street, I was thrilled.
Netflix released the first installment of the film trilogy titled Fear Street Part One: 1994 on 7/2, with Part Two: 1978 set for release on 7/9, and the conclusion, Part Three: 1666 on 7/16.
I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with the first installment. It had everything I love; horror, major 90s nostalgia, and lesbians.
The film opens in a perfectly authentic 90s themed mall, with Closer by Nine Inch Nails blaring through the speakers. From the get-go, I was hooked.
From the killer 90s playlist (you see what I did there) present throughout the film, to the badass slashers from Shadyside, Ohio’s worst massacres (a skeleton masked killer wielding a knife and paying homage to Ghostface from Scream, a frightening sack masked killer wielding an axe and giving me major Michael Myers/Jason vibes, and Ruby Lane, the sexy but deadly 60s killer wielding a barber’s straight-edge razor), this film depicts not one, but three hardcore killers who are hunting our protagonists, leaving me hooked.
Speaking of protagonists, let’s talk about the diverse cast. Led by heroine Deena Johnson (Kiana Madeira), the rebel, and accompanied by Josh Johnson (Benjamin Flores Jr.), her nerdy but crafty little brother, Samantha Fraser (Olivia Scott Welch), her ex girlfriend, the popular blonde-haired, blue-eyed cheerleader, and her two best friends, Kate (Julia Rehwald), the valedictorian drug dealer and Simon (Fred Hechinger), the goofy punk, this band of misfits had major Breakfast Club meets Stranger Things vibes.
Together the group must fend off the undead killers to save their town from Sarah Fier, the evil witch who put a curse on their town centuries ago when she was condemned to death.
What I loved about this film was not only the diversity of the characters and the horror theme, but its capability to bring me back to the 90s in the most authentic way. Plus, it was just fun to watch.
I will be eagerly awaiting Part Two to see what happens next!
