Netflix has been making a lot of noise about the “movie event of the summer” that is the Fear Street trilogy. Kicking off this weekend with the release of Fear Street Part One: 1994, July will see co-writer/director Leigh Janiak’s adaptation of R.L. Stine’s teen horror book series create three weeks of absolute terror. And thanks to a newly released trailer for the first film, I’m even more excited about these movies for two big reasons.
A little bit of background for the Fear Street trilogy. Based on the PG-rated horror anthology series that first became popular when B. Dalton Booksellers was an actual viable venue for a skeleton masked stalker to terrorize you, the books all centered around one town: Shadyside, Ohio. It’s a town you wouldn’t want to get caught dead in, and thanks to a supposed curse on the land, there’s a good chance you just might be.
That’s because the curse on Fear Street’s central location unleashes quite a few killers that have helped feed the local legends. Legends so large, you need three R-rated movies to tell the whole story, and tell it right. Which leads to the first big reason I’m excited to see Fear Street finally kick off its trilogy this week. But before we discuss, take a look at the latest trailer for Fear Street Part One: 1994.
We Get A Nice Look At Several Of Fear Street’s Lineup Of Killers
The killers of Netflix's Fear Street films span roughly 300 years, as we see in the titles of all three movies. Each killer possesses their own special weapon and appropriately tragic backstory that links into something much greater. Though some killers are more important than others, as seen in the axe-wielding heavy with a sack on their head being tied directly into Fear Street: Part Two - 1978.
But even the supporting slayers of Netflix's Fear Street are something to truly be afraid of, as we see with the “so sexy but so crazy” Ruby Lane. Looking like she crawled out of the 1950’s, a switchblade is her constant companion, and if you can hear her singing her song, it’s already too late to run. She’s only one of the murderers Fear Street is teasing in this new trailer, and it already feels like it’s going to be so much fun to learn the stories behind each of these menacing shapes.
‘90s Horror Is Alive And Unwell In Netflix’s Fear Street Part One: 1994
Each movie in Netflix’s Fear Street has a different tone that serves the overall story. Again, 300 years of storytelling gives these movies an opportunity to work in different genres and phases of Shadyside society. In Fear Street: Part One - 1994, the world of ‘90s horror is alive and unwell, and it’s a throwback thrill to behold.
The trailer for this first installment even feels like something you would have seen on a VHS you rented from the era. All the horror dialogue you’d expect is present, and almost the entire reel is set to White Zombie’s “More Human Than Human.” Echoes of Scream, The Blair Witch Project, and the Halloween series all mix together to create something that ‘90s kids will enjoy, and modern audiences should absolutely love to dig into.
The Fear Street trilogy has come a long way from the original plans for its release. While we’re not going to get a three month festival of frights, it’s going to be a really fantastic experience to see each installment unfold through the course of a weekly drop. I couldn’t be more excited than I am now, as this trailer you’ve just watched promises the beginning of a something truly frightening; just like the old days.
Fear Street begins its campaign of terror with Part One: 1994, starting this Friday on Netflix. After which, Part Two: 1978 and Part Three: 1666 will be released on July 9th and July 16th, respectively. Though don’t be afraid to take a look at the other delights in store for Netflix subscribers in July 2021; as you never know what’s hiding around the corner.
