By Jamie Miller
R.L. Stine is basically Dr. Seuss to a generation of horror-obsessed kids. From “Goosebumps” to “Fear Street” and beyond, Stine has influenced many horror fanatics’ love of the genre, present company included. Many great works have been based on his stories, from “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series” and the “Fear Street” trilogy. Unfortunately, this is not one of those great works.
“Fear Street: Prom Queen,” which was released on Netflix on May 23, is very loosely inspired by “The Prom Queen” from the “Fear Street” book series and serves as a quasi-spin-off of the previous trilogy taking place in the same town of Shadyside and with some slight references to events in the trilogy that would happen six years later.
This film tells the tale of high school senior Lori Granger, who has signed up to run for prom queen against mean girl clique, the Wolfpack— something she quickly realizes will be an uphill battle on account of persistent rumors that Granger’s mother murdered her father and queen bee Tiffany Falconer’s relentless taunts and bullying. However, Granger also has another far bigger problem— someone is murdering the prom candidates. Can Granger live long enough to win the crown and finally put Falconer in her place? Or will she be just another victim of this malicious masked murderer?
The film stars India Fowler, known for roles in the likes of “Safe” and “The Nevers,” as Granger and Suzanna Son, known for roles in works such as “Red Rocket” and “The Idol,” as Megan Rogers, Granger’s best friend and skilled prankster with a hatred for the Wolfpack and the school as a whole. Fina Strazza, who has had roles in works such as “Paper Girls” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” plays the part of Falconer. Ella Rubin, known for appearing in works such as “Anora” and “The Girl from Plainville,” appears as Melissa Mckendrick, Falconer’s best friend and right-hand lackey who has more of a conscience than her fellow Wolfpack members. Lili Taylor, known for roles in the likes of “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Mystic Pizza,” plays Vice Principal Dolores Breckenridge, the stuffy but well meaning Vice Principal of Shadyside High School, who is just trying to get the prom off without a hitch to improve the town’s reputation. Katherine Waterston, who’s appeared in the likes of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and “Alien: Covenant,” stars as Nancy Falconer, Tiffany’s mother, as well as Tiffany’s No. 1 and Granger’s No.2 critic, behind her daughter.
This movie, as much as it pains me to say it, is not very good. it’s downright bad, actually— there are several reasons why.
For starters, its tone is all over the place. One minute, the killer is giving what is supposed to be a heart-wrenching confession to why they committed their crimes as sad music plays. The next, a surviving victim is being stretchered out alongside his arm on a food platter. With a forced attempt at dark humor, this movie is chock-full of WTF moments— and not the fun kind. While most so-bad-they’re-good horror movies manage to pull off this brand of humor, in this film, the jokes die with a whimper.
Speaking of confusing, the plot makes no sense! Things happen for the sake of the plot, but with no rhyme or reason. Need a character to befriend Granger after having been mean to her previously? Just have her befriend her with no rhyme or reason. Need to pad out the kills? Have the killer kill a random janitor for absolutely no reason. This movie is tempting me to go full-ranting-angry-nerd.
If you want my advice, go watch the other three “Fear Street” movies instead. They are far better than this trainwreck, desperately trying to hold onto its coattails for dear life. The only thing this movie has going for it is its killer 80’s soundtrack, mixed with original instrumental songs and really good special effects and that’s it.
I give it one torch out of 10. If you want good slasher movies set during prom, the original “Prom Night” and the original “Carrie” are good options. If you want an actual so-bad-it’s-good horror movie that you can actually enjoy, try “Jason X” or “The Return of the Living Dead.” All of these are far better movies than “Fear Street: Prom Queen.”
