Fear Street Part Three: 1666 Offers Satisfying Conclusion to Teen Slasher Trilogy
Originally published July 28, 2021
Title: Fear Street Part Three: 1966
First Wide Release: July 16, 2021 (Digital/Streaming Platforms
Director: Leigh Janiak
Writer: Phil Graziadei, Leigh Janiak, Kate Trefry
Runtime: 114 Minutes
Starring: Kiana Madeira, Ashley Zukerman, Gillian Jacobs
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
Once Deena (Kiana Madeira) successfully reunites Sarah Fier’s (Elizabeth Sopel) hand and body, she is transported back in time to 1666. Sarah Fier shows her what really happened to herand the origin of the curse that has plagued Shadyside for centuries. There, Deena interacts with the townsfolk who resemble her friends and acquaintances from Berman’s (Gillian Jacobs) stories. Once Deena learns the truth, she returns to the present with all the information she needs to put a stop to the curse and hold the person who is responsible accountable for their continued crimes against Shadyside. Between her, Berman, and Josh (Benjamin Flores Jr), do they have what it takes, or will Shadyside be doomed to eternal misery?
A satisfying conclusion to an outstanding trilogy, Fear Street Part Three: 1666 wraps up the story in a fun and thoughtful way.
Deena’s character arc and the origin of Shadyside comes full circle in this installment. It’s so gratifying to finally understand what’s happening and root for Deena to save Sam and the rest of her fellow Shadysiders. The explanation for the curse and the reason it is perpetuated is a little on-the-nose, but still compelling enough to engage the audience. It’s perfect for the characters involved and feels authentic to the story.
Janiak’s choice to show Sarah Fier’s story through the eyes of Deena instead of another actress puzzled me at first, but it does fit within the context of the story. By using the people she knows and has an idea of, she can feel Sarah’s pain deeper. It’s a bit disappointing that the first possessed killer does not get as much screen time or action as the previous installments, but it is done effectively all the same.
Aside from some bad accents, Fear Street Part Three: 1666 continues the series tradition of creating quality slasher material for the next generation. Once we return to Shadyside in the present day we are greeted to a return of the kickass visuals and cinematography of the first film as well as the now iconic Shadyside Mall. The characters are dynamic and energizing, the cast is great, the story is fun and exciting, the violence is brutal given its audience, and the stakes are actually high. It just works. And I am so happy that it all does.
Seeped in social commentary, much like the first two, Fear Street Part Three: 1666 comes full circle with ending the curse. The cyclical nature of trauma and poverty are on full display in the ending of the Fear Street trilogy. The main message is that prosperity not inherently a virtue and poverty does not indicate an absence of virtue. This is present throughout the entirety of the series, but it never gets as blatant as it does with a literal curse plagued upon the residents of Shadyside (originally the village of Union). What’s more is that breaking the curse takes tremendous effort across generations to achieve. In doing so it also lifts the façade that those who have already been successful did it entirely of their own volition and can compete on the same playing field.
Fear Street Part Three: 1666 brings the series full circle while giving it just a little bit of wiggle room to open up for future stories, which I am hopeful happens. There is so much untapped material here to create so many spin-offs, sequels, prequels, whatever. I’m here for it. What’s more is Janiak is excited at the promise of doing more within this universe and all I have to say is: bring it! With great effects, solid pacing, and a dark, teen-friendly vibe, this series hits all the right notes for me and hopefully for you as well.
What a fantastic end to a refreshing and fun trilogy! By the end, I was grinning like an absolute fool. Fear Street Part Three: 1666, as with the rest of the trilogy, strikes the perfect balance of teen and young adult horror with brutal kills, relevant social commentary, and a dash of dark humor. The final part of the trilogy in particular subverts expectations on its own construction while still telling one giant and thoughtful story. Soaking in nostalgia while still staying true to today’s era of modern slashers, it accomplishes everything it sets out to do. Fear Street Part Three: 1666 doesn’t soar to the heights of its predecessor, but it still invokes a sharp sense of colonial horror mixed with 90s dread.
Overall Score? 8/10
