Netflix’s latest Fear Street entry opened to divided reviews, debuting with a 48% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, directed by Matt Palmer, premiered on Netflix on May 23, 2025. Based on R.L. Stine’s 1992 novel “The Prom Queen,” shifts away from the trilogy’s cursed Sarah Fier arc for a stand-alone slasher set in 1988 Shadyside.
Critics remain split over Prom Queen’s merits. FandomWire’s Joshua Ryan called it a “fittingly nostalgic return,” praising its homage to ’80s horror despite formulaic elements. Conversely, RogerEbert.com’s Clint Worthington dismissed it as “empty-headed, straightforward slasher schlock”, and SlashFilm’s Chris Evangelista labeled it a “gory misfire” lacking the inventive energy of its predecessors. Screenrant noted this Tomatometer debut marks the lowest for any Fear Street installment.
Cast interviews have added nuance to the reaction. In an exclusive with People, Fina Strazza contrasted her real-life STEM high school with the film’s heightened peer pressure and murder spree. A Decider conversation with India Fowler revealed that hours-long filming of a Laura Branigan “Gloria” dance-off not only forged off-screen camaraderie but also hinted at deeper emotional undercurrents between their characters.
Behind the scenes, Palmer has discussed the killer’s look drawing from Alfred Sole’s proto-slasher Alice, Sweet Alice, aiming to blend nostalgia with fresh terror. Fans on Reddit have chimed in, acknowledging that while Prom Queen may not match the trilogy’s heights, its brutal kill set pieces and solid performances still offer serviceable slasher thrills.