#fear street (2021)

[ernmark]

I’ve been watching the Fear Street trilogy as part of my Halloween horror watch-athon. And first of all, I wound up liking it much more than I thought I would. But I found I really appreciated its attitude toward drugs.

Drug use features in one form or another in all three parts of the trilogy-- that’s not surprising, they tend to show up a lot in a lot of horror movies, especially thanks to a little quirk of the moral codes put on movies in the past: that drugs, sex, and immoral behavior could be shown-- but only if the characters are brutally punished for it onscreen. It’s why The Final Girl is so frequently also The Virgin: while all her friends are murdered in punishment for their moral crimes, she’s only allowed to survive because she doesn’t partake. 

Fast forward to Fear Street, and there’s a lot of drug use. Not just because it’s a horror movie, but because the main characters are all teenagers in an impoverished town (emphasis on because they’re teenagers-- drug use isn’t shown as an artifact of the seventies or nineties here, but as just something kids do, going back all the way to the Puritans). Characters within the narrative will write off the drug users as burnouts whose misery is brought on by their own poor life choices-- but notably, the characters saying that are overwhelmingly from the hyper-privileged town next door, or people trying desperately to assimilate with them in an attempt to escape poverty. From one, it’s an act of cruelty; from the other, it’s an act of despair.

While the drugs show up in a lot of people’s hands, they’re almost entirely value neutral, where the extras handling them are generally neutral-leaning-toward-helpful, and the knowledge that’s picked up while interacting with drugs and drug users winds up being helpful toward achieving their goals-- experience with a drug overdose allows the kids of the first movie to come up with their plan, familiarity with the imprints on pills allow them in the second movie to realize the nurse’s innocence, and Sara’s searching for hallucinogenic berries in the widow’s home gives her an important clue in understanding what’s going on. 

Meanwhile the main characters associated with drug use are repeatedly shown to be clever, courageous, and resourceful. One is an overachiever who hopes to use the money she makes dealing to escape her situation and lift herself (and her friends!) out of poverty. The other is using them to flee from the horrible crushing despair brought on by the horrible things that have happened to her. These aren’t burnouts. They aren’t comic relief. And while they both die, both die while being selfless and heroic. Their deaths in particular are given weight and time for us to really feel the tragedy of their loss. They don’t die because they’re being punished for their misdeeds-- it’s because the curse that binds them is just that inescapable. 

And then, to add that final insult to injury, their interaction with drugs are used to write off those tragedies. The nurse has no say in her motivations for attacking a teenager-- she’s written off as being off her gourd on pills (even though they’re nothing more than Tylenol). The teenagers who came up with a frankly brilliant plan to escape the curse aren’t treated as heroes or even victims, but are instead blamed for the murders they tried so hard to escape. Meanwhile, among the victimized town, their loss is barely even marked: these things just happen. They’re so numb that each one of these mass murders is written off as just another weekday-- while the real killer goes free, ready to kill again.

(And here we touch on the metaphor actually at the meat of this story, which is so close to the surface that it’s barely even a metaphor anymore. These mass murders keep happening, and they’re immediately written off as the consequence of drugs, or mental health problems, or immoral behavior, because that’s simple, and easy, and most importantly: it directly benefits the people who are responsible for it continuing.)

[fanofspooky]

Horror movies of the 2020s

(so far)

[horrorwomensource]

Fear Street Part Two: 1978

[emziess]

Sadie Sink as Christine 'Ziggy' Berman Fear Street: Part Two: 1978

[slashericons]

Heather Watkins — Fear Street: 1994 (2021)

[luckyshinyhunter]

Having trouble finding some films to watch, especially now that it's pride month?

Well have no fear, because I have some that is recommended, whether queer or queer-coded, these are movies you should watch.

Despite being forgotten or criticize being "woke", Strange World is a underrated gem that join the list of underrated and forgotten disney films such Lightyear, Treasure Planet and Atlantis.

It has an gay main character and a diverse cast including an 3-legged dog. Inspired by classic sci-fi adventure film in the 50's and 60's, Strange World is fun adventure film about an generation of a family dealing with their own faults, also opening a door of possibilities with it's lore.

Freaky is a fun twist on the classic "Freaky Friday" trope, telling the story of a teenager who swap bodies with a serial killer, thanks to a mystical artifact.

Co-written and directed by the guy who also made Happy Death Day, Freaky delivers some gore-filled kills and feel good laughs while offering some parts of queer identity along with a gay character who proud of who he is.

The Fear Street trilogy itself not only joined the list of amazing horror films in 2021 but also an spot of queer horror.

It follows an romance of two lesbian teens in the 90's not only dealing with homophobia but also a ancient connected curse of the town of Shadyside.

Chalked with nostalgia of classic horror films like Scream, Friday the 13th and The Crucible.

Fear Street wins fans over with it's violent kills, remarkable characters, talented performances, and great and relatable queer representation.

Jennifer's Body introduced an another horror icon and bisexuality.

Megan Fox plays Jennifer Check who was possessed by a demon and targets on guys after being sacrificed by an fame-hungry band.

Tho Jennifer is not a lesbian, but the films does show that she is interested in both boys and girls, claiming she goes both ways and has some interest in her friend Needy, even kissing her too.

The cult classic not only has an amazing bisexual icon but tackles heavy themes such as assault, exploitation and the female gaze.

Bottoms is a must watch masterpiece, chaotic, brutal and gut-bursting funny, the film follows two high school friends that made a fight club to just hook up with two popular cheerleaders.

With an ridiculously unhinged final act, meet cute romance, and jokes that have you laughing your butt off. This 2000's coded movie is a a treat to start off the month.

After rewatching it again, Arlo has queer heavy themes if you think about it. Looking back, one of the film's characters, has some queer-coded hints about him.

I'm not going to spoil on the titular character, I think you should watch the film in order to get what I'm saying.

Other than that the film has an amazing soundtrack and has colorful characters as well.

Luca definitely is a queer film without a doubt. Focusing on two young sea monsters, spending an unforgettable summer in the town of Portorosso on the Italian Riviera.

It's themes of self discovery, chosen families, homophobia and acceptance.

This emotionally sweet sea-filled tale is a instant classic with a pretty much Canon couple too.

Robot Dreams also has hints of queer companionship and also is a story of loneliness, the film's out now, you definitely think you should see it.

Based off the comic in 2007, Robot Dreams is set in the 80's of New York City.

A lonely dog assemble and befriends a robot in a dialogue-less journey of friendship, love and rusted parts.

There's no surprises are a lot of clear queer-tonic themes in the films, especially among the two main characters, Robot Dreams is a perfect way to spend your summer.

Last year, Nimona was not only one final goodbye from Blue sky studios but is a part of the best films of 2023.

No surprise that the creator of the graphic novel also did Netflix's She-ra, the film is heavy on not only disability but also gender identity and transphobia.

it's a film that everyone will enjoy, thanks to it's commentary and electrifying performances by the cast, combine with pretty metal animation, Nimona is the film you should definitely watch.

🏳️‍🌈Happy pride month, hope all of you have a great day, and let me know on what think of these films.🏳️‍🌈

[lgbtpopcult]

[haveyouseenthishorrormovie]

SUMMARY:

Part One: 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.

Part Two: Shadyside, 1978. School's out for summer and the activities at Camp Nightwing are about to begin. But when another Shadysider is possessed with the urge to kill, the fun in the sun becomes a gruesome fight for survival.

Part Three: The origins of Sarah Fier's curse are finally revealed as history comes full circle on a night that changes the lives of Shadysiders forever.

The mod put all three movies together because they are intended to be grouped together and watched as one long project. She also really enjoyed watching them.

[moviehealthcommunity]

Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)

This is a Movie Health Community evaluation. It is intended to inform people of potential health hazards in movies and does not reflect the quality of the film itself. The information presented here has not been reviewed by any medical professionals.

Fear Street Part Two: 1978 has two brief uses of spinning-style emergency vehicle lights, and one scene lit by flickering fire. One of the very last shots has some dim flashes of lightning. Strobing edits are used in the end-credit tease for the next chapter.

There are two brief spinning shots, one of which looks downward. Outside of these two shots, all of the camera work is either stationary or very smooth.

Flashing Lights: 4/10. Motion Sickness: 1/10.

TRIGGER WARNING: Violent schoolyard bullying, including one scene that will be triggering to audiences with insect-related phobias. The violence in this film is graphic and gory. There is an on-screen vomiting incident just after someone discovers a gory scene.

Image ID: A promotional poster for Fear Street Part Two: 1978

[restinslices]

I miss when new Fear Street movies were coming out and the fandom was super active

[jeffcross5000]

“Elmo is House Elmo.  There is no call that Elmo does not answer, no faith that Elmo will betray.”

[giantkillerjack]

I never understood the bit at the beginning of Fear Street hey hey everyone go watch it right now it is SO GOOD where one of the characters that the film wants us to sympathize with reacts to a local tragedy with a kind of flagrant, unhinged humor.

And then 2020 lasted for 84 years.

And I was like,

Ah.

I get it.

[fanofspooky]

Horror movies of 2021

[horrorwomensource]

Cindy & Ziggy Berman in Fear Street: Part Two — 1978

[emziess]

Emily Rudd as Cindy Berman Fear Street: Part Two: 1978

[cyanide-latte]

3, 5, and 17 for the AO3 wrapped asks? :>

Ooh thank you Ace!! 💕 (Apologies in advance for registered-user-locking my works when I link back to them, but I'm not taking chances with that bot or AI or whatever it is.)

3: What work are you most proud of (regardless of kudos/hits)?

Shattered Stone, without question. I know I started it last year but I'm still so damn proud of it, even if I've not yet finished chapter 14. I'm really pouring a lot of love and effort into it.

5: What work of yours got more feedback than you expected?

That one goes to Connections! I'll be blunt: I didn't expect anyone but maybe one person to interact with and enjoy that AU oneshot. Yes, it's Scream-related, but I'm very used to the majority of the fandom not giving a care about my boy Roman, let alone acknowledging that the third movie happened and Sidney canonically has an older half-brother. So the idea of an AU where she and Roman actually get to have a sibling relationship? I didn't expect almost anybody to care about it, and I'm surprised and delighted that it's gotten as much kudos and as many hits and bookmarks as it has! So if I decide to play around with that AU any more in the future, who knows? Maybe it'll have an audience after all.

17: Your favorite character to write this year?

Without question it's got to be Gabriel from Malignant. I know so far I've only posted Commemini and Lightbringers, but I'm working on the first chapters of Fragile Faith, and Gabriel as a focus character has really, really grown on me fast.

Thank you for these, they helped perk me up a bit!!