Film Review of Fear Street 1978 (2021)

source: imdb

After the ending of Fear Street Part One: 1994, Netflix's Fear Street Part Two: 1978 steps back in time in one of Shadyside's most infamous massacres. The film shifts from the suburban horror of the first movie to a classic summer camp slasher. It expands the lore about Sarah Fier's curse. The movie is an exciting, violent sequel that strengthens the overall trilogy.

Plot Summary

source: imdb

The story is told by Ziggy Berman, one of the survivors mentioned in Fear Street 1994. The movie is set at Camp Nightwing in 1978. The movie centers on Ziggy, her older sister Cindy and a group of campers and counselors in a summer camp.

Strange events started to happen after Sarah Fier's influence once again emerges in the camp. Camp counselor Tommy Slater suddenly starts a murderous rampage through the camp. Ziggy, Cindy and their friends search for a way to stop the killings while finding more secrets about the curse that has haunted Shadyside for centuries.

The movie also reveals important details that connect directly to the events of Fear Street 1994, helping explain why the supernatural killers continue to target certain people.

Analysis

I like that Fear Street 1978 is similar to classic slasher movies. The summer camp setting reminded me of Friday the 13th. The nighttime chases through the woods and brutal kills, the film is like 1980s slasher movies.

The film also does a great job expanding the lore of RL Stine's book. It answers some questions in the first movie while introducing new mysteries that lead directly into the trilogy's final chapter. I appreciated how the movie connects to Fear Street 1994. The discoveries to uncover the mystery rewards viewers who watched the first movie.

I also like Sadie Sink in this movie who seemed to step out from Stranger Things set and into this one. Her characters and the setting look similar in both shows.

Connection to Part 1

The biggest strength of Fear Street 1978 is how it connects to the story of Fear Street 1994. As I mentioned in my review of Part 1, the movies seem like one big movie split into three parts, that's why they connect seemlessly with each other. The film explains Sarah Fier's curse, provides backstory for Ziggy Berman and provides information that directly impacts Deena's quest in the present day.

I highly recommend Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and the rest of the series to horror enthusiasts looking for a fun and mysterious movie. The film's violence and intriguing mystery make it one of Netflix's most enjoyable horror movies.