By Abby Muresan
OVERVIEW:
The trilogy of Fear Street released over the summer, and it has truly blown up ever since. All three parts have been seen on Netflix’s top ten list especially since we are getting closer to Halloween. The movies have been strategically put into three parts that end up being different movies. Fear Street Part One: 1994 is where the viewer’s experience starts. Then following with Fear Street Part Two: 1978. And to finalize the trilogy, Fear Street Part Three: 1666. The movies have been directed by Leigh Janiak and feature many teenager’s favorite actors and actresses like Sadie Sink and Kiana Madeira. The movies are based off of the Fear Street series by R.L. Stine. There are 17 books in the original series, and the first was published in 1997.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
I would like to start off by saying I personally like horror movies to instil much horror throughout and not be generally bland with a few jumpscares. I feel like horror movies can struggle with continuing a storyline while still having that fear factor all throughout. However, Fear Street did very well with having a strong and intriguing storyline that connected throughout each movie while still having the audience on the edge of their seats. I enjoyed the ordering of the movies and how they slowly go back in time. The ending gave closure to Sarah Fier’s story which was much needed. I liked all three movies, but I loved the third movie the most and how it connected the three parts. I thought it was creative that they used the same actors and actresses from parts one and two, but I don’t think it was the greatest use of the cast. I feel like the idea of the main character living through Sarah Fier made sense but having some of the random characters made it a bit more confusing. I did like how they added the plot twist of Sarah Fier not being all that bad and how there were many other factors that we learn later on.
Fear Street Part One: 1994:
The series starts off with a vicious rivalry between Shadyside and Sunnyvale. There are many citizens of Shadyside that go crazy and kill loved ones. The Shadyside killer’s origins are blamed on Sarah Fier who was hanged in 1666. I think this movie was definitely a good introduction to the series, but I disliked the amount of gore. If you are the type of person that likes to watch horror movies because of the uneasy feeling after seeing some gross scenes, then this one might be your favorite. I enjoyed the romantic part of the story that includes Deena and Sam. I think this did a good job of connecting to the audience which includes many teenagers. The part that angered me the most was the fact the friend group basically all died to save Sam. This was frustrating because even after she survived, she still wasn’t 100% for a long time. I’m glad they didn’t kill off the brother of Deena who I enjoyed as a character. Overall I give this a 8/10.
Fear Street Part Two: 1978:
Set at a summer camp in the 70’s, every kid in town is so excited for a fun summer. But of course, another Shadysider is taken over with the thirst to kill. I loved this setting the most out of all other parts. I will always enjoy a summer camp horror story. I liked how they made the new Shadyside killer a camp counselor. It made the audience feel bad about the killings of campers who trusted the axe murderer the most. It was so irritating that the characters who found the ritual sight were under the influence. This led them into serious situations and led to one of them even being killed by an axe. I think being killed by the axe murderer would definitely be a pretty rough way to go. I overall liked how this part continued the storyline and introduced the place where things all began. I liked how intrigued I was throughout the movie. I give this an overall rating of 9/10.
Fear Street Part Three: 1666:
This one brings the viewer back in time. The main character Deena is put into the perspective of Sarah Fier and finds the truth. The audience finally figures out the origins behind Sarah Fier’s wrath, or the lack thereof. We find out about how Sheriff Nick Goode and his family are the true psychopaths. The family has given one Shadysider’s soul to the devil yearly since 1666. Sarah Fier was accused of witchcraft and hanged because of loving who she loved. This movie progressed the storyline of the Goode family and Sarah Fier’s relationship with them. I think the movie did a great job of playing with the audience’s emotions by letting us see the reasoning behind her death. I feel like I would definitely give this movie the highest rating because of the closure it gave the viewer. I will give it a rating of 9.5/10
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed all three parts and would recommend it to everyone. I found them all entertaining and would definitely watch again. I hope you all enjoyed my review!
HB IN RETROSPECT 