Netflix's Fear Street: Prom Queen movie draws backlash from Fear Street book series fans: 'Disrespectful to the original trilogy'
Fear Street: Prom Queen, based on the 1992 book The Prom Queen by R. L. Stine, was released on Netflix over the weekend with much anticipation, thanks to the strong fan following of the Fear Street book series and the previously released film trilogy.
Directed by Matt Palmer, the film stars India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, Lili Taylor, and Katherine Waterston. Set in 1988, the story follows a masked killer targeting prom queen candidates at Shadyside High.
Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978, and Fear Street Part Three: 1666 were released on Netflix in 2021 on a weekly basis. While the film adaptation of the trilogy impressed fans with its mix of slasher horror and supernatural twists, this new entry has left many disappointed.
What's the premise of Fear Street: Prom Queen?
In 1988, Shadyside High's senior class gears up for prom, hoping to shake off the town's dark reputation. Lori Granger (India Flower), an outcast due to rumours surrounding her mother, runs for prom queen against the popular "Wolfpack," led by Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza). Vice Principal Brekenridge sees prom as a fresh start for the school, but the night before, candidate Christy Renault (Ariana Greenblatt) is murdered by a masked killer.
On prom night, Lori arrives with her best friend Megan (Suzanna Son). A prank gone wrong creates a rift between them. Meanwhile, members of the Wolfpack and their dates are picked off one by one, Linda and Bobby are murdered, and Debbie dies in the basement. Lori receives anonymous flowers, while Tiffany taunts her about her mother's past. A dance-off ends with Lori stealing the spotlight, embarrassing Tiffany.
After Tyler dumps Tiffany and flirts with Lori, he's murdered by the killer. Megan suspects the killer is Devlin, the vice principal's son, but Lori dismisses her theory. Megan discovers the bodies in the basement, and Lori narrowly escapes an attack. During the prom queen announcement, the killer strikes again, murdering students before Lori stabs him with her crown. He's revealed to be Tiffany's father, Dan Falconer.
Dan is arrested, and Lori spends the night at Tiffany's, but the nightmare isn't over. Tiffany and her mother, Nancy, reveal they were also behind the killings. Nancy confesses she murdered Lori's father out of jealousy. Lori kills both Tiffany and Nancy in self-defence. As Nancy dies, her blood forms the Witch's Mark, suggesting evil still lingers.
Why are fans disappointed by Fear Street: Prom Queen?
Despite trending globally on Netflix, fans have voiced strong criticism against Fear Street: Prom Queen. Many took issue with the film's deviation from the original book, from character name changes to altering the killer's identity. Some felt the film took too long to get going, with many calling the first 30 minutes boring.
One user wrote, "Why does Fear Street: Prom Queen not feel like Fear Street at all… It's not scary; everyone has iPhone faces, and everything they do is super cringe."
why does fear street: prom queen not feel like fear street at all… it's not scary, everyone has iphone faces and everything they do is super cringe 😭😭😭
Another added, "Fear Street Prom Queen was so bad at making their characters distinguishable bc how did I JUST find out Tiffany's dad was a teacher in the high school."
Fear Street Prom Queen was so bad at making their characters distinguishable bc how did I JUST find out Tiffany's dad was a teacher in the high school
"Rewatching the Fear Street trilogy to make up for the disappointment that Prom Queen was," wrote another fan.
rewatching the fear street trilogy to make up for the disappointment that prom queen was pic.twitter.com/jYOXtsTWRW
"Just finished FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN. almost feels like it could be a decent, entertaining time for the first half hour but it has like two tricks up its sleeve and just gets incredibly dull for most of the runtime. the most annoying characters of the year also. bleugh."
just finished FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN. almost feels like it could be a decent, entertaining time for the first half hour but it has like two tricks up its sleeve and just gets incredibly dull for most of the runtime. the most annoying characters of the year also. bleugh. pic.twitter.com/7rdhgRMHUy
One user wrote, "fear street prom queen was so ass... i can't believe they ruined the crazy run that the Fear Street trilogy laid down."
fear street prom queen was so ass... i cant believe they ruined the crazy run that fear street trilogy laid down
"Fear Street: Prom Queen is now streaming on Netflix.Fear Street Prom Queen was the most predictable cliché movie I've ever seen. The moment 2 killers were shown, I automatically knew it was the parents... disrespectful to the original trilogy," one mentioned.
fear street prom queen was the most predictable cliche movie ive ever seen 😭😭 the moment 2 killers were shown i automatically knew it was the parents... disrespectful to the original trilogy pic.twitter.com/vPladVW0wS
Fear Street: Prom Queen is now streaming on Netflix.
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