A spoiler-free Chill & Thrill review.
I went into Fear Street Part One: 1994 expecting a glossy teen slasher. What I got was a lot more interesting: a horror film that gives you the kills but also something to get your teeth into.
What’s the story?
In 1994, a group of teenagers in Shadyside, a town notorious for its history of brutal murders, discover that the terrifying events haunting their community may be connected to an ancient curse. As masked killers emerge and the danger grows, the friends must unravel the mystery of Sarah Fier before they become the next victims.
Where it fits: Fear Street Part One: 1994 is the first instalment of Netflix’s connected 2021 trilogy, followed by Fear Street Part Two: 1978 and Fear Street Part Three: 1666. The standalone Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025) is another film in the same franchise, set in 1988. The films are inspired by R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books, rather than direct adaptations of one continuous five-part novel series.
Welcome to Shadyside
There’s something about a town with a horrible history that immediately gets my attention. Shadyside isn’t simply a backdrop for a masked killer. The more the characters discover, the more you start questioning how the past and present fit together.
It’s the mythology that got me
The witch lore, rituals, blood, bones and candles were right up my street. I loved the conspiracy-board element, the layers of history and how the different killers seem to fit into a bigger mystery. Give me creepy folklore and clues to piece together alongside a slasher and I’m happy.
Camp, brutal and surprisingly easy to care about
There are moments of proper slasher nastiness — yes, I’m still thinking about that bread-slicer scene — but there’s a playful, almost camp side too. I even found myself rooting for the group to survive, which isn’t always the case when I’m watching horror! I wanted a little more background for some of the characters, but the central mystery kept me interested.
That balance between fun and genuinely nasty is what made it work for me. It isn’t just a collection of elaborate deaths.
Watch the Fear Street: 1994 trailer
Poster and film stills
My verdict
Stylish, surprisingly solid and with more mythology than I expected. I came away genuinely wanting to continue the trilogy. If you like your slashers with some supernatural history to unravel, this is a good place to start.
From my Chill & Thrill notes: “Witch lore, conspiracy boards, blood, bones and candles. Camp but brutal (yes, bread slicer 👀). Loved the layered history and killer variety.”
My rating: ★★★★☆ — 4/5 stars.
Where to watch: Fear Street Part 1: 1994 on Netflix UK.
Find my film diary on Letterboxd
Keep going down the horror rabbit hole
More spooky discoveries from Clarissa’s Corner: explore the Chill & Thrill hub, catch up with the Crystal Lake Friday the 13th prequel guide, or plan a genre-film outing with the Soho Horror Film Festival guide.
