The Fear Street trilogy (1994, 1978, 1666), based off the works of beloved young adult horror author R.L. Stine, was a critical success on Netflix in 2021. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leigh Janiak’s Fear Street movies offered horror fans an escapist nightmare brimming with blood, guts, camp, a strong storyline, and brutal kills (I am frequently haunted by the bread slicer scene). These films felt like a triple horror feature you’d see at a drive-in on a hazy summer night. They were atmospheric, and just what we needed.

So, when Netflix announced Prom Queen, I was ecstatic—I couldn’t think of anything better than another slasher from R.L. Stine’s world, slathered in neon and oozing with gore and grittiness. Unfortunately, Matt Palmer’s offering to the franchise leaves much to be desired.

Set in 1988 (and before the events of the first film), Prom Queen introduces us to Shadyside High School outcast Lori Granger (India Fowler), who is running for prom queen against the popular group, led by stereotypical mean girl Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza).

The film follows the lead-up, events, and aftermath of the ill-fated prom night, where two murderers—donning hot pink raincoats and ugly iron masks—slaughter most of the potential prom queens in uninspired, unsurprising ways. The blood appears to rely heavily on CGI, and lacks the creativity, shock, and terror caused by the series’ previous kills (why yes, I am still thinking of Kate getting shoved head-first into a bread slicer in 1994).

The film’s final act is eye-roll inducing and underwhelming in its cheesy villain reveal and feels like something pulled from an MTV made-for-TV movie circa mid-2000s, rather from a respected slasher franchise. The 1980s aesthetic and atmosphere feel frail here, as well—despite it being set in the 80s and infused with vaporwave intro and outro music (and big hair all around), it feels like Gen Z cosplay. It lacks authenticity in its heart—and fails to achieve the substance that other modern media set in the 80s has, á la Stranger Things, Summer of ’84, and Totally Killer.

Fear Street: Prom Queen is a lackluster effort at achieving a modern-day slasher—and feels more like a story pulled from Wattpad.

Fear Street: Prom Queen
2025
dir. Matt Palmer
90 min.

Now streaming on Netflix