Stanko's Stance

Director: Leigh Janiak
Writers: R.L. Stine, Kyle Killen, Phil Graziadei
Staring: Kiana Madeira, Benjamin Flores Jr., Oliva Scott Welch
Streaming: Netflix
Release Date: July 2, 2021

“A circle of teenage friends accidentally encounter the ancient evil responsible for a series of brutal murders that have plagued their town for over 300 years. Welcome to Shadyside.”

Fear Street Part One: 1994 is the first part of a Netflix-produced backwards-chronological horror trilogy. While it every movie is going to have an individual story, all have an intertwining arc of evil which connect in some way shape of form.

The best thing I can say about Fear Street Part One: 1994 is oozing with confidence. All three of these movies are helmed by Leigh Janiak, and the 41 year old is off to a good start in terms of first impressions! She made one feature movie Honeymoon (2014) and this Fear Street series is her next journey into horror genre.

Besides the gusto that Janiak infuses into Fear Street Part One: 1994, the story flies by with the help of a great young cast. Each of the actors plays a standard high school/slasher movie character persona, but none are boring.

The two standout young actors in the bunch are Benjamin Flores Jr. as Josh and Julia Rehwald as Kate.

Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.) is the nerdy, educated but socially awkward younger brother of the main character. Flores Jr. is funny and charming; you’ll be forced to cheer him on the most and you’ll be happy about it.

Kate (Julia Rehwald) is the super successful but spicy and slightly dirty in terms of her post-school activities. This is Rehwald’s first major motion picture credit on IMDB but I think she has plenty in her future. That may be aided by the act that she is incredibly beautiful.

Fear Street Part One: 1994 blows by all the clichés with its charisma and sheer pace of the story. This scene-setting movie isn’t just expansionary mumbo-jumbo; it has character and it has smarts (even for how dumb some of the characters are). Don’t get too attached to any of the characters, and don’t try and over think anything.

The personal Netflix direct comparison I’d make is that if you liked The Babysitter (2017), then you’ll enjoy Fear Street Part One: 1994.

STANKO RATING: B+ (4.0/5 Stars)

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