Set in the halls of Shadyside High in 1988, Fear Street: Prom Queen immerses us in a nostalgic slasher film where the fashion is bold, the hairstyles even bolder, and the body count keeps rising. At the center of the story is Lori Granger (India Fowler), a quiet loner with a scandalous past who unexpectedly finds herself in the running for prom queen. However, when Lori’s fellow candidates start getting slaughtered, it becomes clear that someone is eliminating the competition. What begins as a typical teen popularity contest quickly spirals into a blood-soaked nightmare.
The highlight of the movie for me was India Fowler’s performance. She delivers a grounded and emotionally honest portrayal of Lori, making her character’s transition from shy outsider to reluctant final girl feel deserved. Fina Strazza also stands out as Tiffany Falconer, the picture-perfect “mean girl,” who reveals more complexity than expected. Unfortunately, seasoned actors like Chris Klein and Lili Taylor, both of whom I was excited to see in the movie, are underused and trapped in underwritten roles.
My biggest issue with the film is that, despite being based on R.L. Stine’s 1992 novel, it makes significant changes to the original story. It strays far from the source material to the point where it becomes somewhat unrecognizable. As a result, the movie loses the creepy, slow-burn tension that made the book so beloved within the Fear Street series. What I loved so much about the original trilogy that aired on Netflix is that it was its own story, but took inspiration from Fear Street, giving it a completely different kind of vibe. Prom Queen is supposed to be based on one of the actual novels. It could have just been a standalone original story without slapping the IP on it, but alas… money talks.
Director Matt Palmer clearly has a passion for ’80s horror. He fully embraces the nostalgia, incorporating synth-heavy music, soft lighting, pastel lockers, and vintage prom looks to build the atmosphere. However, while the film looks the part, the story does not always live up to expectations. Some of the scares feel predictable, and many of the kills, while gory enough, lack any kind of suspense. The film often comes off more as a tribute to slashers than as a fully realized slasher in its own right. Unfortunately, I guessed who the killer was going to be as soon as they opened their mouth. There’s really no mystery here.
Prom Queen does attempt to explore darker themes, such as bullying, trauma, popularity, and revenge, but these ideas aren’t always well-developed. The film occasionally flirts with satire but often doesn’t go far enough, resulting in a muddled message.
Ultimately, Fear Street: Prom Queen is a mixed bag. It has its moments, especially for fans of retro horror and the Fear Street franchise, but ultimately falls short of delivering. There is some charm, one or two solid performances, and a decent amount of style, but the predictability of the script and the lack of any real depth weigh it down. It’s an entertaining ride for genre lovers, but those hoping for a faithful adaptation of Stine’s story will likely come away disappointed.
