Genre – Horror
Directors – Matt Palmer
Writers – Donald McLeary
Cast – India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, Lili Taylor and Katherine Waterston
Runtime – 90 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆☆
Where To Watch/Stream Fear Street: Prom Queen
It’s like slasher clichés central – a film that forgot to invite any originality to the party
I’ve been following the Fear Street series since it dropped back in 2021. The original trilogy was an interesting mix of nostalgia and horror, with each movie trying to stitch together a cursed town’s dark past with a serial killer plot that kept things interesting, at least for a while.
After watching it, I have to say this: Prom Queen feels like it’s trying way too hard to recapture that campy 80s teen horror vibe but ends up getting stuck in a loop of clichés and predictable beats. It leans heavily on familiar tropes – so much so that it barely feels like its own story.
Plot Summary of Fear Street: Prom Queen (Spoiler-Free)
Fear Street: Prom Queen takes place right before the big Prom Night at Shadyside High. If you’re not familiar, Shadyside is basically the horror movie equivalent of a town where nothing good happens and every teenager has a dark secret. The story revolves around the competition for Prom Queen, with a handful of girls vying for the crown, including Christy Renault, a younger kid with big ambitions, and the Wolfpack – a clique of ruthless girls led by Tiffany Falconer.
Then there’s Lori Granger, the kind of outsider who’s got a family reputation that makes her the town pariah. As prom night approaches, the tension builds – except things take a bloody turn when the girls start disappearing one after the other. Lori finds herself in the middle of it all, trying to survive, figure out who’s behind the killings, and stop them before she’s next.
The movie keeps the focus on these core characters and the unraveling mystery, throwing in plenty of high school drama, bullying, and classic slasher elements.
Fear Street: Prom Queen Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Well, it’s not a total disaster, but it’s also not something that’s going to make you rethink the genre or impress you with innovation. If you’re looking for something that feels fresh and unpredictable, this isn’t it. But if you want some campy 80s vibes, a killer soundtrack, and some creative kills, it delivers enough to keep you mildly entertained…Very mildly I might add.
The original Fear Street trilogy from 2021 at least tried to mix up the formula. Especially Fear Street: 1978 – that one brought something new to the table with a really solid slasher vibe and a bit of complexity in the story. Prom Queen, on the other hand, feels like it’s riding coattails, borrowing heavily from other 80s teen horror staples without really bringing its own voice.
The biggest problem here? Predictability. It’s horror movie 101, where the “suspicious” characters are obvious, the killer’s identity is crystal clear halfway through, and the plot points feel like a checklist of tropes rather than an organic story.
The lead performance by India Fowler as Lori Granger didn’t exactly grip me either. She plays this timid, kind-of-awkward character who’s supposed to be the one fighting back against the killer, but she never really convinces you she has the guts for it. In contrast, Fina Strazza as Tiffany Falconer, the head of the Wolfpack, feels like she’s the one actually driving the movie. That mismatch makes the film feel a bit lost on who it wants us to root for.
On the positive side, the kills are creative and satisfyingly gory, so if you’re a gore fan, you won’t be disappointed. The cast also has some seasoned actors sprinkled in – Lily Taylor, Chris Klein, and Kathryn Waterston add a bit of weight to the otherwise young and fresh cast. They give the movie some credibility, but even they can’t quite save it from its predictable plot and uneven pacing.
The campy, over-the-top 80s vibe works in small doses but feels forced at times, like the movie is desperately waving a neon sign that says “Look, it’s an 80s throwback!” without really understanding what made those movies special in the first place. Still, if you dig the era’s soundtrack and aesthetic, it nails those aspects well.
I’d rate it a 5/10.
What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)
Pros
The 80s Soundtrack Hits All the Right Notes
The music is a highlight, no question. Hearing Gloria by Laura Branigan or Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics in a teen horror movie immediately sets the tone. The soundtrack is the kind of playlist you’d want at a retro party, and it really helps with the mood. They even throw in some Billy Idol to keep the energy up. It’s one of those things that reminds you why the 80s were such a perfect decade for these kinds of films.
Creative and Bloody Kills
If you’re a gore fan, you’ll appreciate the ways the movie dispatches its victims. It’s messy, it’s over the top, and it’s exactly what you want from a slasher film. The kills are often the most entertaining moments here.
Campy 80s Vibe That Doesn’t Take Itself Too Seriously
The film leans hard into its campiness. It knows it’s a bit ridiculous and embraces it, which helps keep things entertaining even when the plot drags. (In small doses)
Cons
Predictable Plot from Start to Finish
This movie doesn’t try to hide its hand at all. If you’ve watched more than a handful of horror movies, you’ll see the killer coming a mile away, and the plot twists are so obvious you might feel like you’re watching a horror movie parody.z
Lead Actress Doesn’t Have the Presence Needed
India Fowler’s performance is just too soft for a lead role in a slasher movie. Her character feels more like a background player than the star, which hurts the emotional investment in her survival. You want your protagonist to have some fire, some fight – and Lori just doesn’t deliver.
Not Original – Feels Like a Mashup of Better Movies
It’s hard not to feel like you’ve seen this all before, because you have. The film borrows heavily from other films, without really adding much new. For horror fans looking for something fresh, this will feel stale.
Most Supporting Characters Are Underdeveloped
Aside from the main girls, the rest of the cast gets almost zero character development. That makes it tough to care who survives and who doesn’t.
Overall, Not As Strong as the Original Trilogy
Compared to the Fear Street trilogy, especially Fear Street: 1978, this feels like a massive step backward. The originals had at least one film that shook things up. Prom Queen just retreads old ground.
Who Might Like Fear Street: Prom Queen?
If you’re a fan of campy 80s horror with a killer soundtrack, this movie will hit some right notes for you.Or if you’re just looking for some mindless fun with friends and don’t mind a predictable story. Horror fans who appreciate a good body count and kills without worrying about plot originality will find something to enjoy here.
Who Might Dislike Fear Street: Prom Queen?
If you’re craving originality, strong character work, or a plot that keeps you guessing, steer clear. This movie is going to frustrate you with its obvious twists and flat lead. Also, if you hate camp, this isn’t going to be your cup of tea.
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Fear Street: Prom Queen?
I won’t lie – Fear Street: Prom Queen is a mixed bag. On one hand, the soundtrack rocks, the kills are satisfying, and the campy 80s vibe brings some fun energy. But on the other hand, it’s painfully predictable, the lead actress doesn’t quite convince, and it leans way too hard on clichés without trying to surprise the audience.
The film feels like it’s stuck in a loop of movies that did the same thing better, which is a shame because there’s potential here. The supporting cast does what it can with the material, but it’s not enough to lift the movie above its shortcomings.
Hopefully the next Fear Street movie brings some fresh ideas and better casting because, frankly, Prom Queen feels like a missed opportunity.
Fear Street: Prom Queen Trailer
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