There are no major spoilers within

The tone of the trilogy veers from silly, like the Young Adult fiction for which writer R.L. Stine is famous, and this series is based on his work, to scenes that are definitely not for young viewers. Things are kinda saturday morning TV shows, but then next thing you know, there’s an axe splitting open a skull with rivers of blood spilt. Plus profanity and just barely near-miss sexual stuff, too. So, who is the audience? I think it’s mostly nostalgia seekers.

I like the idea of Netflix having rolled out the three films with some space in between them, but I guess it was inevitable that the results would be mixed.

‘Fear Street Part One: 1994’

The trilogy starts with this episode set two full years before ‘Scream’ deconstructed slasher flicks, yet it still has that self-knowing, wink to the camera that says “don’t be too afraid, we’re just having fun here.” That feels like a mistake in tone.

I have to say, the best parts of this and the other two installments are when actual slashing takes place. I hope that doesn’t sound creepy, but the films come to life when the killing happens.

We get a slashing right at the top of this movie – in a shopping mall – how 90s! We’re introduced to the older teenagers of Shadyside, a town known for its killings that have lasted for generations, and it seems that’s just one of the strikes against Shadyside, the ugly stepsister to nearby Sunnyvale – where the teeth are brighter, the murders less frequent, and the vibe rather snobby.

The lead role of Deena is played by the charismatic actress Kiana Madeira, and it’s important that we identify with her, because it is she who will be our guide through all the shit that happens from 1666 all the way until 1994. Without making a thing about it, Deena is gay and still in love with Sam (Olivia Welch). This might be a bigger deal than the filmmakers make of it, culturally speaking. I think it’s a great choice for the story.

Events will bring these two together, along with a cast of Scooby Doobies who are, at turns, suspects and comic relief. It turns out that a witch, Sara Fier, is the hundreds year old witch who is making trouble for the town and its teens.

Part one ends with a reason to watch part 2 – but I won’t reveal why.

‘Fear Street Part Two: 1978’

Speaking of nostalgia,I was in high school and ssaw the original releases of films like Friday the 13th and Halloween on the big screen. I remain traumatized to this day.

So, the 1978 setting is fun for people my age and, of course, a summer camp is involved (pro tip: never go to a summer camp…ever) The camp kids come together – still after the influence of the witch, and some others. Again, because this is a facsimile of a 1978 film, it feels more jokey than scary, but I am all in with the cast on this one.

‘Fear Street Part Three: 1666’

My least favorite, but probably the most important, as the narrative comes round to something of a conclusion.

Here we go back to the origins of the shenanigans- everyone is speaking in bad Irish accents and dressed for the Renaissance Faire, but things get cooking in the final act. While the landing of the story is on a super loooong glideslope, you can’t argue with the intensity and, finally, some tension as the kids return to the mall for a final reckoning with the killer(s).

So, is it worth the time investment?

I think it is for those who already know what they’re looking for. “Outsiders” who don’t know the Stine stories or have an affinity for slasher flicks, even rather tame ones like this, might find it a long ride to…well, just a long ride.

As always, I have left out many plot points – they are for you to discover. For me, the experience was often like looking at a replica of a mountain at a theme park. Looks similar, but feels quite removed from a personal experience.

Fear Street Trilogy is now streaming all three parts on NetFlix.