Fear Street: Part One 1994 | Film Review

The 1970s and 1980s were notorious for releasing incredibly entertaining summer horror flicks, but as decades went on, the best horror films were reserved for “spooky season”. In fact, I’d argue it’s become increasingly more difficult to produce a stellar horror film in the last handful of years because of a lack of creativity and ingenuity. But Netflix, per usual, has its sights set on shifting the norm by releasing an acquired trilogy of horror films throughout July called Fear Street (based on R.L. Stine’s books).

As Shadyside citizens once again fall to their brutal demise at the hands of a serial killer, AOL instant chats skyrocket from the 90s true crimers theorizing that the murders are connected to a 300 year-old town curse. While on the other side of the tracks, in Sunnyvale (yes, we will claim this as a play on Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Sunnydale), has gone 30 years without a violent crime. 

Fear Street: Part One 1994 kicks off with a beautiful twist of an homage to the first Scream, mirroring the method and timing of the kill(s) early on, along with other tributes such as a prick making a mockery of the recent murders down the school hallway, and even a score reminiscent of Scream at times. All before making a tongue-in-cheek jab at R.L. Stine’s The Wrong Number. Homages can be very hit-or-miss depending on how crafty the director is in balancing the tightrope of “remake” and “homage”, but Fear Street‘s Leigh Janiak knocks it out of the park.

Fear Street is mostly a slasher with some level of supernatural elements, but each act progresses through the character storylines. Deena (Kiana Madeira) is our strong and sassy female lead whose presence makes it impossible not to root for her, reminiscent of Scream’s Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). Deena is distraught after finding out that her ex, Sam (Olivia Scott Welch), has not only literally moved on to Sunnyvale but has also moved onto the lead jock of the high school elite. This is where your teen angst arrives that may not be for the anti-CW crowds.

Thankfully, the quip and humor of Deena’s nerdy brother, Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.), counter-balances the relationship drama. Let’s get more of this actor, by the way! Josh is that weird kid on the AOL chat threads, knows everything about serial killers and quickly calls out the ironies (yes, much like Randy – another Scream callback), and becomes flush at the mere sight of another woman. Kind of like you, reader. Sorry to call you out like that.

And then comes Kate (Julia Rehwald) and Simon (Fred Hechinger), the two friends who you can always guarantee will have drugs to sell you… if you’re into that sort of thing. Kate and Simon are the levity of the film, offering up the most hilarious moments. Rehwald has the demeanor where she could pull off the good girl, the bad girl, or the girl with a little bit of both, which Janiak uses to her full advantage. Simon is the Stu (Matthew Lillard) of the film – he isn’t phased by much, is mostly oblivious, thinks he’s cooler than he is, and is an outright goof. We all know that guy. He plays a little nicer with friends than Stu, though. 

The use of music and sound should never be underestimated, as it can easily define your film. Fear Street creates a soundtrack that makes you pump your fists in the air and nod your head, but creatively uses the songs to convey the thoughts and emotions of characters in one swift transition to another. I’m talking Garbage, Iron Maiden, Nine Inch Nails, Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill, Radiohead, and the list goes on. 

A wonderful introduction to director Leigh Janiak, Film Street: Part One 1994 is just the introduction to the series. As mentioned, this is a trilogy and they are most definitely connected. However, the intentional choice to release the films backwards (1994, 1978, 1666) is an interesting one, and the filmmakers likely chose to do so either from a script perspective or because Netflix wanted to swoon in the younger audiences to build traction, then the 70s-80s born with a campy (literally) second installment.

While it certainly falls prey to the horror clichés, the majority of viewers will enjoy the wicked kills. Whether you’re staying inside to beat the heat, are anti-social, or just miss spooky season movies; Fear Street is one you ought not to miss. Add it to your queue and get to watching, because what better way to celebrate America’s Independence than with a bunch of teenagers getting slaughtered. Part Two premieres on Friday, July 9, 2021 and Part Three on Friday, July 16, 2021.

Fear Street: Part One 1994 is now available streaming only on Netflix 
Starring Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, and Benjamin Flores Jr.
Screenplay by Leigh Janiak and Phil Graziadei
Directed by Leigh Janiak