FEAR STREET PART TWO: 1978 Review – Leigh Janiak Continues Her Winning Streak
Starring: Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, and Ryan Simpkins
Written by: Zak Olkewicz and Leigh Janiak
Directed by: Leigh Janiak
It seems like a risky move to shoot an entire trilogy without the ability to take any fan or critical feedback into account before tackling the second and third films. But Leigh Janiak isn’t your typical filmmaker. She is a highly competent, in-demand director who was (and continues to be) sought after following her impressive debut feature, Honeymoon. I loved what Janiak (who is at the helm of the entire trilogy) did with the first Fear Street film and she has continued to impress me with the series’ sophomore installment, Fear Street Part Two: 1978.
Related Article: FEAR STREET PART 1: 1994 Makes for a Glorious Queer Throwback
Synopsis:
Fear Street: Part Two 1978 sees the counselors and campers at Camp Nightwing stalked by a counselor possessed with the spirit of a vengeful witch. If sisters Ziggy and Cindy can’t stop the carnage, they may be next to fall victim to a vengeful specter.
I had initially assumed that each film in the Fear Street series would be somewhat self-contained. But I was pleased to learn that the first installment runs directly into the second and Fear Street: 1978 starts in the 1994 timeline. We see the surviving cast members picking up precisely where we left them at the end of the first flick.
I was glad to see that connective tissue because I was a fan of the groundwork laid in the first Fear Street film and think the second installment was stronger for building upon that, rather than going into a new timeline cold.
Staying true to the spirit of its predecessor, the music, wardrobe, set design, and hairstyles in Fear Street Part Two: 1978 nicely capture the essence of the decade in which the film is set. And like the original, the soundtrack is pretty rocking and representative of a bygone era.
Related Article: FEAR STREET PART 1: 1994 Makes for a Glorious Queer Throwback
Fear Street: 1978, however, doesn’t mimic its predecessor in every way. It’s a noticeable departure from the first flick in a couple of ways. For one, we veer into proper slasher territory with this second outing. The body count and level of gore are ramped up considerably from the first. And that’s really what a sequel should do. A follow up should be a bigger spectacle and it should make an effort to separate itself from its predecessor and work as its own entity. Leigh Janiak definitely found the right balance between staying true to the original and upping the stakes.
Janiak also shows real promise on the technical side. I was thoroughly impressed by the camerawork in several scenes. Particularly the sequence with the two victims lying on the ground as the camera slowly pans out. It is quite haunting and effectively captures the moment in a compelling and gut-wrenching way.
Also impressive are the performances. They are solid across the board. Fear Street Part Two: 1978 boasts a likable cast and clever dialogue that’s humorous and authentic to the characters. Ryan Simpkins (Hangman) is a standout as Alice, the resident badass with dark secrets that lurk just beneath the surface. And Emily Rudd is great as Cindy. Rudd brings Cindy to life as a layered and interesting protagonist who does the ‘I’m only smiling on the outside” thing very well. Chiara Aurelia of Cruel Summer also appears to be having a great time playing the vicious and unhinged Shelia.
I suspect that some viewers may complain that this sophomore outing borrows elements from the Friday the 13th series. But I would counter that no one is trying to hide the sources of the film’s inspiration. There’s even a not-at-all-subtle reference to Bag-Head Jason from Friday the 13th: Part Two. Leigh Janiak isn’t trying to suggest that she invented the wheel. She’s giving credit where it’s due and then forging her own, very impressive, path.
As for the final installment in the Fear Street trilogy, the setup for the third flick looks really promising. I am anxiously looking forward to checking it out and you can be sure I will report back to you when I do.
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FEAR STREET PART Two: 1978
Summary
Director Leigh Janiak is on fire. Fear Street Part Two: 1978 ups the stakes with more carnage and a higher body count.
