‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’ Review: “A Gorefest Full Of Lore”

Camp Crystal Lake is one of the most iconic locations in horror film history. The place that harbors one of the most iconic characters in horror – Jason Voorhees. We all know the story, no need to go there, but just as Fear Street Part One: 1994 draws inspiration from Scream, Part Two draws inspiration from Friday the 13th. The influence is there from beginning to end, and it’s an incredibly fun film that builds where Part One leaves off.

Last week at the end of Fear Street we had Deena (Kiana Mediera) and her brother Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr.) seeking the help of C. Berman (Gillian Jacobs). She was the survivor of the 1978 attacks at Camp Nightwing. The camp was one in Shadyside where kids from there and the neighboring Sunnyvale for the summer. It included all the basic activities science and nature, art, math, and the greatest game of all: Capture the Flag. This is the location for our second installment in the trilogy.

The film plot is C. Berman telling Deena and Josh what happened that day at camp. We get introduced to Ziggy (Sadie Sink) a rebel without a cause that people hate because she’s different. Ziggy is a camper, and her holier-than-thou sister Cindy (Emily Rudd) is a counselor. Her boyfriend Tommy Slater (McCabe Slye), yes THAT Tommy Slater is also a counselor along with Alice (Ryan Simpkins), Arnie (Sam Brooks), Joan (Jacqi Vené), Gary (Drew Scheid), Kurt (Michael Provost), Nick (Ted Sutherland) and Will Goode (Brandon Spink).

Now if you remember anything from Part one, picking the survivors should be easy. That day at camp, Nurse Mary Lane (Jordana Spiro) *yes her daughter is Ruby Lane* tries to kill Tommy because she saw his name on the Witch’s mark. Shortly afterward Cindy, Alice, Tommy, and Arnie go looking for said Witch’s Mark and once again all hell breaks loose. Tommy turns into Jason Voorhees Jr. and trades the machete for an axe then goes on one of the most insane killing sprees I’ve seen in a slasher movie in a very long time.

Zak Olkewicz lends director Leigh Janiak a hand in the screenwriting department and it’s an absolute slam dunk. This film is miles better than 1994 in more ways than one. 1994 is simply an extension of a very complicated universe I hope we visit more after the trilogy ends. 1978 shows you just how much depth and lore this story has. We explore Sarah Fier’s hold on Shadyside, we don’t get much detail about her – that’s coming in 1666. We go into the caves of Shadyside and get the lay of the land on how she was able to get around during her witch trial. The film also focuses on tropes from horror films based in that era, and they successfully pull it off.

Overall, this was a very satisfying follow-up to 1994. The story is very enjoyable and cohesive, and the ending only makes you more intrigued. I’m happy with what Janiak has accomplished so far, and can’t wait for the finale this week. Fear Street has taken everything from our childhood and given us some great nostalgia. We should all be appreciating what Netflix and Janiak are doing, and just enjoy it instead of nitpicking it. – Rascal F. Kennedy

Rating: 8/10

Fear Street Part Two: 1978 is available on Netflix!