Welcome back to Shadyside—where the blood never dries and the drama never ends. Fear Street: Prom Queen, the latest installment in the R.L. Stine-inspired series, hits Netflix on May 23, delivering a retro-styled slasher that plays like Carrie meets I Know What You Did Last Summer with a synth-drenched, neon glow-up.
Directed by Matt Palmer and co-written with Donald McLeary, Prom Queen dives into the cutthroat world of high school royalty in 1988. The "It Girls" of Shadyside High are vying for the prom crown with all the venom you'd expect—until one by one, they start to disappear. When a gutsy outsider (played with charm by India Fowler) is unexpectedly nominated to the court, she finds herself in the middle of a bloody mystery that leads straight to the heart of prom night.
The film opens strong with a synth-heavy score that instantly sets the tone, calling to mind the Stranger Things theme but with a sharper, more sinister edge. The era-specific cinematography and use of multiple media formats add to the authenticity, making the whole thing feel like a lost ‘80s VHS you’d stumble across in your cousin’s basement.
The performances are solid across the board. Newcomers in the teen cast hold their own, especially Ariana Greenblatt as Christy Renault, who gives a hilarious and convincing performance that feels ripped straight from TikTok (in the best way). Meanwhile, seasoned pros like Lili Taylor, Katherine Waterston, and Chris Klein round out the adult cast with gravitas, adding credibility and tension to the story.
The set design is immersive—you can practically smell the greasy diner food and hear the creak of old gymnasium floors. Dialogue between the teens feels genuine, filled with the kind of biting humor and bravado that makes you feel like you're eavesdropping in the school hallway.
For horror fans, Prom Queen walks a careful line between creepy and fun. The kills are inventive and progressively gnarly. Just when you think the film is playing it safe, it pulls the rug out with surprisingly brutal moments—especially for a story based on an R.L. Stine book. There are also clever horror references sprinkled throughout, including Phantasm playing at the local theater and a Zombie poster hanging on a bedroom wall.
While the pacing occasionally slows and the twist may not surprise seasoned viewers, the reveal is still satisfying, and there’s a brief mid-credits scene that hints at what’s next. The soundtrack is loaded with ‘80s bangers, and each kill tries to top the last, keeping things bloody and engaging.
Fear Street: Prom Queen isn’t the best entry in the franchise, but it’s a strong, stylish addition with just enough edge, nostalgia, and teen angst to satisfy fans. It's a popcorn-ready, synth-fueled slasher that embraces the spirit of Fear Street while updating it for modern horror lovers.
Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait another four years for the next one.
Jessie Hobson