R.L. Stine contributed to many of our childhoods. I myself was a very avid reader. I remember grabbing 13 Goosebumps books from the library during the first week of summer vacation in Elementary School and having them done in three days. Later that same summer I found his older, Young Adult writing, Fear Street. I vividly remember enjoying the House on Fear Street trilogy. There was another one about a little girl that could command wildlife in the 1800s. Can't remember the title, though. So, when I found the Fear Street movies on Netflix, I prayed that they hadn't fucked them up, because, well, history has taught me that filmmakers and media giants will trash any story for a buck. Fear Street: 1994 was, thus, a pleasant surprise for me.
The movie opens with a massacre in a mall, just after hours. It is implied that the events are a simple person on person killing, and that supernatural events are not to be depicted. However, then the title credits roll, where the audience is showered by satanic images and depictions of witchcraft, separated by newspaper clippings showing the setting's (Shadyside) relevant history. We are told through character interaction that it's just another murder in Shadyside. We also get to meet our protagonists, Deena, Josh, Kate, and Simon; all of whom are ordinary kids. Things swiftly move out of control after a fistfight at the candlelit vigil put on by the neighboring, utopic town of Sunnyvale. Deena's ex-girlfriend, Sam, draws the ancient wrath of an evil witch down upon them, forcing the kids to team up to last the night.
Really, a pretty standard young person's horror tale. Standard scares, with sometimes surprising murders and kids doing "drug and sex" shit. What truly drew me in was the soundtrack, honestly. It was mostly 90s rock, with other songs thrown in where appropriate. The first song, for instance, was "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails, followed by one of my favorite songs ever, "Fear of the Dark" by Iron Maiden (definitely not 90s, but I digress). Through clever storytelling and leading, the music drew me in, but I stayed for the story.
This was a good movie, and I would say it's worth your time. If you liked R.L. Stine at any point in your life, I think you'll treasure the nostalgic feel. It is, in fact, a lot more violent, visceral, and M rated than the Goosebumps books were… but, hey. It's called Fear Street. It's a different thing. Check it out on Netflix, if you've got it.
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