Fear Street: Prom Queen – Sheer Disapointment [Film Review]
Following the hit Fear Street trilogy on Netflix in 2021—hailed by Bloody Disgusting’s Meagan Navarro as “the summer horror event of 2021”—you’d be forgiven for expecting a strong return with the fourth instalment, Fear Street: Prom Queen. However, this movie acts as the antithesis of Leigh Janek’s rip-roaring triumph.
As a fan of the franchise, you’ll try your utmost to like this movie. But the onslaught of tedious mean-girl characters, bland narrative, and the garish ’80s references hamfisted into the paltry corsage that is this movie, will leave you regretting going to this party.
This review aims to let you know what you’re in for should you still choose to go ahead and press play on this one. As usual, there will be a spoiler-free summary of the premise of the film, followed by the main event, the review itself.
Fear Street: Prom Queen Plot
To say that the movie is loosely based on the 15th book of the Fear Street series is an understatement. There is a prom, prom queen candidates, and the murder of those said prom queen candidates. The book and film also share the same title. There ends the similarity between the book and the movie.
The Fear Street: Prom Queen book reads more like a murder mystery, a whodunnit, compared to the movie. Netflix’s latest addition to the Fear Street franchise is a teen slasher through and through. Prom Queen takes place between two of the previous flicks in the series, Fear Street: 1978 and Fear Street: 1994, though adding nothing to Fear Street lore overall.
The story follows Lori Granger, the outcast final girl, who is still paying for the rumours surrounding her father’s suspicious death. To fight her damning reputation, she decides to run for prom queen against the bee queen and her clique of suck-ups. For some reason, the school’s administration is also rooting for this victory, offering no clear explanation for this invested interest.
Typical teen BS (sorry, drama) ensues, as the bodies of the other prom queen candidates start to drop. This prom night is not just a fight for the crown, but for survival.
Review
It appears that this newest instalment tries to deliver two things. Nostalgia for fans of the original book series by R. L. Stine being the first. Second, to add an offering to an already successful lineup of movies that caters to the now-grown-up fans of the original books. Unfortunately, delivery on both these fronts fails miserably, resulting in a forgettable melodrama full of cringe, and a cast of irritating characters that serve little more than becoming slash-fodder for a serial killer in completely uninspired get-up.
Odd moments will make you chuckle, others will surprise you. But despite these moments, the film generally felt boring — with more moments of irritation than shock horror. Fear Street: Prom Queen masquerades as a horror, but in actuality, it’s a teen thriller with some horror themes, but fails to grip you as the ‘raincoat man’ grabs the neck of his victims.
Despite its obvious flaws, Prom Queen works more as a vibe than a story. The movie has a killer soundtrack, featuring synthwave artist Powerglove and lots of solid hits from the decade. I also liked the usage of what looks like a genuine VHS camcorder for some shots. The twist at the end of the movie is a surprise that you won’t see coming, but it is not worth the wait.
Final Verdict (or TLDR)
Fear Street: Prom Queen is a promposal you’ll wish you turned down. Sloppy storytelling and grating characters leave it dead on arrival. Hardcore Fear Street fans might hit play out of curiosity, but for most horror lovers, the only thing butchered here is your expectations.
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