Based on R. L. Stine's series of books, The Fear Street Trilogy is certainly something different for Netflix. While the streaming service frequently releases TV shows all in one bingeable go (a practice the likes of Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ have moved away from), having a movie trilogy hit the platform over the course of three weeks is the sort of experiment that could benefit Netflix in a big way moving forward.
This unique release strategy certainly works for this franchise, anyway, and over the course of Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978, and Fear Street Part Three: 1666, writer and director Leigh Janiak delivers a satisfyingly gory series of films that often lift the best parts from the specific movies they're paying homage to, all while sprinkling in a few fresh ideas of their own.
Here are our thoughts on each instalment along with a look at how they work as a whole:
Fear Street Part One: 1994
A love letter to slasher flicks like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, 1994 is, in some ways, the most enjoyable instalment of the Fear Street trilogy (if not necessarily the best). You'll have a lot of fun with this opener, mostly thanks to a Stranger Things vibe and some wondrously inventive kills that, if nothing else, will guarantee you'll never look at sliced bread the same way again. Perhaps this movie's biggest achievement is making us care about the characters that are killed off because when they do start dropping like flies in the final act, you'll actually feel a little annoyed about it. This is a testament to the quality of storytelling on offer.
The premise of a malevolent spirit rising from beyond the grave to cause chaos in a small town thanks to a curse of some sort is a familiar one, but the execution (no pun intended) is handled well. 1994 is also very much just an introduction to the mythology, something the next two films take a much closer look at.
The most compelling part of this movie, however, is the romance between Deena and Sam; by not falling into any of the predictable or familiar trappings of a lesbian relationship (especially in this genre), 1994 effortlessly gets us invested in how things play out for them, and that proves to be vital as we move forward. Kiana Madeira delivers what feels like a star-making performance in this opener, and she's joined by a solid supporting cast that includes Benjamin Flores Jr., Olivia Scott Welch, and Julia Rehwald. It would, however, have been fun to spend a little more time Maya Hawke given how great she is on the opening scene.
Bloody good fun, Fear Street Part One: 1994 is perhaps the best slasher movie to have been released this side of the 90s, and proves that there's still plenty of life to be found in this deadly corner of the horror genre.
Fear Street Part Two: 1978
Heading back in time proves to be a pleasantly refreshing storytelling decision, but this Friday the 13th-inspired night of terror at camp is a little more hit-and-miss than its predecessor. Whereas 1994 made use of a whole roster of killers brought back from the beyond to haunt these characters, the axe-wielding big bad of this sequel is a little underwhelming to spend time with in comparison. While it's rare for a villain like this to receive much in the way of personality, he feels more like a plot device than a threat, and despite being an undeniably formidable adversary for these teens, it feels like there were vastly more interesting options based on some of the other threats we know were once faced by Shadyside's residents.
We certainly aren't given the chance to care about these characters as much as those we met previously, but strong performances by the brilliant Sadie Sink and Emily Rudd certainly help matters. Despite being sisters, they couldn't be more different, and every time you think you know where their story is going, you'll end up being surprised.
Beyond that, clichés come thick and fast here, though for fans of this particular era of horror, they're likely to be welcomed. What 1978 does best is dive into what's really been going on in a town that's been plagued by a seemingly endless series of horrors, and it's when these characters come together with a plan to vanquish that threat, this movie is at its best. The kills certainly won't disappoint gorehounds, though, and there are some strong emotional beats to be found along the way. Perhaps we've just seen too many of these movies to ever feel really threatened by its villain (the moment he puts that sack on his head feels forced rather than a genuinely big moment), but as soon as we do reach the final act, the stakes are high enough that you'll find yourself happily going along for the ride.
Despite feeling a tad too familiar at times, Fear Street Part Two: 1978 has enough fun with itself to satisfy gore-lovers, all while deepening this franchise's mythology in a way that will leave you eager to return for Part Three.
Fear Street Part Three: 1666
If you enjoyed The Witch, then you'll love this finale because it often feels like the same movie. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, and while the first half essentially plays out as an origin story for the trilogy's big bad, there are enough surprises to keep you hooked (whether it would have worked as well without the world-building from the previous movies is hard to say).
1666 also smartly makes use of cast members from the previous movies, and Madeira once again proves herself one hell of a talent. She's fantastic as Sarah Fier, the witch who seemingly was the start of everything going wrong in Shadyside, and when we return to the present day, the actress remains a highlight. Gillian Jacobs also shines after being given more screentime, while Ashley Zukerman takes what started as a supporting role and makes the most out of it in a big way. After that enjoyable first half (with another strong romance subplot surrounded by bloodshed), Fear Street embraces that 90s aesthetic for a mall fight that helps deliver a satisfying climax and some great scares as the tension rises for a battle with the fate of an entire town on the line.
The big twists in "1994 Part Two" ensure that you'll want to go back and watch those first couple of movies again as there will be plenty of moments you'll view in a different light after this finale, but flashbacks that are dropped into scenes at the right time - never feeling too on the nose, as a result - will ensure you're kept up to speed. With this finale, Janiak manages to do what few horror franchises can these days; deliver a great ending while still leaving the door open to return to this concept down the line (something we hope happens).
Fear Street Part Three: 1666 manages to deliver a satisfying conclusion to Leigh Janiak's stellar horror trilogy, all while giving Kiana Madeira another chance to prove she's a talent to watch after her impressive work in Part One.
So, that's how these movies all stack up individually, but what about The Fear Street Trilogy as a whole? Well, while your enjoyment movie to movie is likely going to hinge on which of these parts of the horror genre you enjoy most (or even grew up watching), there’s plenty to love in all of them. In terms of original ideas, there are certainly enough to guarantee you'll never grow bored, and while you’ll find plenty of familiar beats along the way, those are all done in a way that horror fans can appreciate. Amazingly, this franchise pays homage to the past in a way that actually works rather than simply ripping better movies off like so many movies before them.
With a terrific cast and plenty of big scares and bloody moments, Lee Janiak (who previously helmed a couple of episodes of Scream: The TV Series) puts herself on the map as a horror director to watch and we’re definitely keen to return to this world. Whether that’s to explore the other Shadyside killers or a whole new story set elsewhere, there's plenty of potential here that can be exploited in an effective way moving forward with this creative team. Honestly, we’re just excited to sit down and watch them all again from start to finish and if that’s not a sign of a great horror franchise, what is? It just so happens this one has played out over three weeks rather than several years.
The Fear Street Trilogy is a love letter to horror and one that delivers plenty of scares, gore, and fresh ideas, all of which more than help make up for any minor pitfalls each individual movie very rarely runs into.