I grew up with R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps but prior to the Fear Street trilogy releasing a few years back, had no knowledge of this bloodier, much more teen focused series of books. As someone that has not seen the previous three entries, I did my research to make sure that Fear Street: Prom Queen is in fact a standalone slasher before pressing play. I had minimalistic expectations, I’m the type of person that can find even the most basic of slashers enjoyable… Prom Queen was a struggle. However a huge step up from the films that kept flashing into my brain during the duration of this horror effort - Prom Night (1980 and 2008). 

 

It’s a standard slasher and with that can come with some genuine enjoyment - as long as there is a bit of development provided to those being slaughtered. From the first kill, there’s a hint this film is gonna be a cut to shreds slasher cutting to fashionable red when a murder occurs, luckily that is proven wrong shortly after and the deaths do escalate to fun extremes. Slashers have three enjoyment factors at their core - who are the kills, how is the killer design and who is the killer. Unfortunately - everyone’s best guess can come up with an accurate result on that last one and its stupidity may align with the book but it does not pair well being told through film. 

 

The red cloak and golden masquerade mask may become iconic in their simplicity, but nothing can assist this basic premise from being elevated to something much more entertaining. The entire cast of characters are all entitled and bizarre in their interactions - even our protagonist is difficult to fully comprehend their motivations. We hear the backstory of why people are so against her, but even an opening of the events in question leading up to the Prom would have been greatly appreciated to benefit the character arcs. 

 

The cast of adults and prom attendees are stacked with some major talent and surprise faces such as the reappearance of Sean Baker’s Red Rocket breakout Suzanna Son and Chris Klein from the American Pie franchise. The cast isn’t the issue here, they all provide the performances they think will best associate with the 80s slasher schlock, but the retro styling doesn’t know how to fully embrace itself. A prime example being the creative decision to have some shots filmed through a camera lens of the time period in all its grainy, blurry glory only to have that taken away so swiftly - now that the entire way through would’ve been a fun choice. 

 

While the last act lays on the camp heavy with its diabolical plot and most brutal kills to that point, it all feels a little meaningless when the reason behind everything hasn’t been better fleshed out. 90 minutes is the perfect runtime for a slasher, but a few extra minutes to showcase a little more lore would have done nothing but benefit the overall picture. Some may enjoy the cheese and state it is in fact embracing the genre of that era, I tend to disagree with my aforementioned opinions. Fans of the book may be pleased, but those unfamiliar may be disappointed in the end result.