Reviews

Review – Fear Street Trilogy Directed by: Leigh Janiak Produced by: Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and David Ready Screenplay: Phil Graziadei, Leigh Janiak, Zak Olkewicz and Kate Trefry Cast: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald and Fred Hechinger Release Date: July 2021 Based on the source material of R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books, the Fear Street Trilogy of moviesis the latest offering from Netflix to combine angsty teenage characters with horror, gore and ameshing of subgenres which will delight and potentially frustrate fans alike. Let’s take a deepdive into the three films and find out what everyone’s talking about. I’ll talk about eachinstallment and then give you a wider overview of themes and where it could go next, bewarned this may contain some spoilers – I have tried to avoid this but it’s tricky so if youhaven’t seen all three be aware! Fear Street Part One: 1994 We begin with a brutal murder in the town of Shadyside, where centuries of horrific eventscaused by a witches curse have plagued the town’s residents and affected everyone’s lives forgenerations. Locals believe they are to blame in some way for the bad happenings, and are atodds with the folks living in neighbouring Sunnyvale, who prosper with their white mansionsand manicured lawns. Our Scooby-like gang is soon drawn into the murders, when Sam (OliviaScott Welch) has a vision of the witch Sarah Fier and becomes a target for all the previouskillers spawned by the curse who are apparently indestructible and out for her blood, literally.Sam’s brave girlfriend Deena (Kiana Madeira), her brother Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.) and theirfriends scramble to escape the killers, hatch a plan to end the curse and save the town. Ithoroughly enjoyed this, from the gory killings we get to see onscreen (you’ll never look atsliced bread the same) to the chemistry between the cast – this is a great homage to 90’s greatssuch as Scream and there’s a lot of nostalgic fun to be had in revisiting 90’s internetconnections, sensibilities and soundtrack. Director Janiak knows exactly when to nod and winkto the audience with jet black humour and when to take a step back and allow the actors toprovide us with emotional moments to invest in the characters. The plucky teens soon realisethe witches curse will not be lifted so easily and it’s up to them to continue the fight and solvethe mystery. Review – Fear Street Trilogy continues below Fear Street Part Two: 1978 Having survived the events of the previous movie and with noted casualties, the remainingmembers of the group discover that there was a survivor to a massacre in the 70’s and seek herout to try and find out what to do next, as Sam is possessed by evil. The first large chunk of thefilm is told in flashback by C. Berman, who we discover survived at summer camp using herwits and with a little help. The film presents us with new characters, a psycho killer who givesthe actual creeps and ties in some more background story linking one of the killers from the1950s. Two bickering sisters at camp try to get along when the killings strike, but just who ifeither of them survived? Who is C.Berman? We also get to meet a younger incarnation ofSheriff Goode and the first hints for those paying close attention, that the curse is not all itseems. Taking horror tropes from movies like Halloween and 70s slashers this was myabsolute favourite of the three. At one point, 3 female characters sit together to problem solvetackling the killer and this might not seem something significant, but it’s so rare to see thiswithout the discussion being about boyfriends or makeup and it definitely passes the Bechdeltest. The female characters really give us strong heroines to root for and plenty of tension infollowing who’s slaughtered next. Let’s just say those virginal pure types are not necessarilyrewarded over the teens who decide to partake in drugs and sex! The ending leaves us with yetmore questions as Deena scrambles to use what she learned about camp nightwing. Fear Street Part Three: 1666 In attempting to reunite Sarah Frier’s hand with her remains, Deena is on a quest to help Sam(who’s still thrashing against a radiator Exorcist style) and finally lift the witch’s curse forgood. Transported back in time to, yes you guessed it :1666, Deena experiences what happenedto Sarah and the events that lead up to her being put to death by the townsfolk. Actors reappearto play additional roles and have great fun with this, although the period accents are more thana little ropey from some. Is that meant to sound Cornish? Welsh? Shakespearean?. A visceral,immersive world is created and you can practically smell the horse manure, (everyone’s) BOand the local drunk/conspiracy theorist ‘Mad Tom’ – played with absolute relish by McCabeSlye. After being caught making out in the woods with the local pastor’s daughter, Sarah isaccused of witchcraft as the homophobic and pitchfork weilding locals think she hassummoned the Devil and caused the contamination of the water supply and farm animals toturn cannibalistic. As Sarah is hanged from a tree (now the site of the Shadyside mall), shevows never to forgive those responsible and haunt them forever. As the truth unfolds, itbecomes clear that the history of Shadyside is all connected by Satanic rituals and an obsessionwith power. A classic team up at the mall brings us the final showdown. Keep watching for themid credit scene that gives us a glimpse of how the story could continue. Overview of the trilogy & themes At the heart of all the movies is teenage life and all the self-discovery, angst and difficulties weall remember. A strong theme of oppression and overcoming prejudice is there too with thecentral queer love story perfectly framing idea that being ‘different’ can be dangerous & evendeadly. Director Janiak provides us with a feminist perspective and this is very satisfying, thereare no final girls or damsels to be rescued here and the female characters are all fleshed outand given their own motivations for their