Netflix’s Fear Street Part II: 1978 Early Review

Getting this out of the way now, those who are still reeling from the murderous antics of Skull Mask in Fear Street Part I: 1994 or may have thought that film was too scary should probably sit this one out because if that installment is too much, they probably should stay away from this next installment in the Fear Street film trilogy, Fear Street Part II: 1978.

Fear Street Part II: 1978 is somewhat better than the first. All the elements that were lacking in the first film shows up in spades here. This second installment saw the aftermath of the condemned Sara Fier (Elizabeth Scopel) a lot more closely as well as the full effect of her curse on Shadyside and Sunnyvale. From the 90s to the 70s, the franchise is getting into the groove with laid back vibes, hippy trippy music and of course, to finish it all off in 70s slasher style, we get to travel to Camp Nightwing.

Once again, it would be hard to miss the film’s homages to almost every slasher film made in the 70s and 80s. This time around, however, it takes a more subtle approach which is appreciated. Fear Street Part II: 1978 focuses on two sisters, serving as a link between the first two installments. Without giving anything away, this film is certainly an entertaining ride as it delves deeper into the history of Sara’s death and how her curse took hold of Shadyside.

Fear Street Part II: 1978 is a lot scarier than part one because of the stronger connection to the teen characters unlike in the first film as viewers were given more of a firsthand account of Sara Fier’s curse. It’s also interesting to see younger versions of those first film characters and how they coped with the devastation and death while offering some insight in their roles in the trilogy as a whole. The story itself is also told exceptionally well; giving the audience just enough to piece some of the parts of the overall picture together as it trilogy edges ever closer to Sara Fier and her inevitable and grisly end.

Suffice it to say that those who are fans of slasher films, are going to love Fear Street Part II: 1978. It’s difficult to tell whether or not the writers just decided this part of the trilogy needed to be more gruesome but it certainly is. So again, a mild warning to anyone that’s squeamish – there’s lots more blood, gruesome death scenes and death everywhere. Unlike the first film that had a distinct Goosebumps feel to it, it’s hard to believe this film was written by the same team.

In the end, Fear Street Part II: 1978 is darker and way more sinister and we loved every minute of it.

still courtesy of Netflix

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