Whereas imperfect, the unique Fear Road trilogy has an simple coronary heart. The relationships between the characters, each platonic and romantic, are properly-outlined and completely explored. The movies bolster themselves with heartfelt and enjoyable performances, because the actors each fulfill and subvert their roles as archetypal horror characters. Director Leigh Janiak made a definite effort to reference traditional horror movies whereas creating one thing solely new, and she or he largely succeeded. Director Matt Palmer has no such luck with Fear Road: Prom Queen, which is the worst factor a horror movie might be: boring.
Selecting vibes over substance.
Set in 1988, Fear Road: Prom Queen follows outsider Lori Granger (India Fowler) as she vies for the title of promenade queen alongside 5 different women at Shadyside Excessive College. These women embrace members of the “Wolfpack” Tiffany Falconer (Fina Strazza), Melissa Mckendrick (Ella Rubin), Debbie Winters (Rebecca Ablack), and Linda Harper (Ilan O’Driscoll), in addition to unhealthy woman Christy Renault (Ariana Greenblatt). Haunted by a vicious rumor concentrating on her household, Lori believes believes that profitable promenade queen will mark a change in her life and Shadyside as a complete.
She is supported in her journey by her greatest good friend Megan Rogers (Suzanna Son), a horror fanatic seemingly content material along with her outsider standing. Lori’s rivalry with Tiffany, crush on Tiffany’s boyfriend Tyler (David Iacono) and wrestle to beat her household’s fame all threaten to derail her try at being topped promenade queen. In the meantime, a masked killer stalks Shadyside with the intent to homicide the entire contestants, in addition to anybody who will get of their method.
The characters on this movie are usually not written as human beings however relatively as cardboard cutouts made to meet eighties slasher tropes within the least fascinating method attainable. Lori’s exposition dump initially of the movie, conveyed by way of pointless narration that boggs down the story, foreshadows the utter lack of characterization everybody will obtain. Regardless of being a narrative targeted solely on ladies, the feminine characters in Fear Road: Prom Queen are afforded not one of the appreciated nuances within the unique trilogy. Lori is completely uninteresting. Megan embodies the “not like different women” trope as an alternative of getting an precise character. Tiffany’s sneering insults as queen bee develop outdated shortly, and the remainder of the solid is left floundering in the hunt for a objective within the story.
Fear Road: Prom Queen is a deluge of missed alternatives.
The entire relationships on this movie are underdeveloped, however Lori’s romance with Tyler is so underwritten that it’s complicated why it was included in any respect. It’s a far cry from the romance between Sam and Deena, which, except for being a uncommon lesbian illustration, served as the center of the unique trilogy. Palmer’s choice to not carry over any queer themes into this installment within the franchise appears like a missed alternative, as the chance-taking within the unique trilogy is what primarily separates it from the usual streaming fare.
The eighties setting is perfunctory, with the entire anticipated set dressing making an look: mother denims, teased hair, posters of eighties heartthrobs, and references to simply recognizable eighties media. Already uninspiring, it’s the movie’s use of music that’s really egregious. The forgettable rating consists of repetitive synths, whereas the soundtrack consists of somebody’s “Biggest Hits of the ‘80s” Spotify playlist. “Gloria” by Laura Branigan is utilized in a scene that made me bodily cringe each in disbelief and in sympathy for the actresses tasked with performing it.
The demise scenes are additionally disappointing, with the kills containing not one of the creativity current within the unique trilogy. Even an apparent reference to Carrie or Prom Night time would have been welcomed amidst the drudgery. It was reported that director Chloe Okuno was initially slated to direct this movie, and Fear Road: Prom Queen completely would have benefited from a feminine director. Okuno’s debut movie, Watcher, validates ladies’s fears, and having seen it, I really mourn the opportunity of what may have been if she had been on the helm of this movie. The distinction within the depiction of girls on this movie and the unique trilogy is simply too stark to disregard.
The underside line.
Fear Road: Prom Queen is a disappointing entry on this franchise in addition to a symptom of this period of streaming slop. Horror followers deserve higher than movies like this. There have been many excellent horror movies lately, setting the bar even larger for a style nonetheless unfairly maligned by critics. Future ‘Fear Road’ installments ought to intention to succeed in this normal and even exceed it relatively than enjoying it secure.
Fear Road: Prom Queen is out now on Netflix. Watch the trailer here.
Photographs courtesy of Cr. Alan Markfield/Netflix © 2025.
REVIEW RATING
-
Fear Road: Prom Queen – 1/10
