Fear Street: Prom Queen brings back classic ‘80s slasher style with a tense prom night full of suspense and mystery at Shadyside High.
The film features a strong cast with believable characters and real friendships that add depth to the story.
Set to release on May 23, 2025, on Netflix, it offers a fresh take on high school horror with a suspenseful, fast-paced story.
The halls of Shadyside High are set to echo with screams once more. A shimmering tiara. A school gym decked out for the biggest night of the year. Beneath it all—panic, screams, and blood. Netflix's upcoming horror film, Fear Street: Prom Queen, takes everything glossy about high school royalty and slashes it down to its bones. Set in 1988 at Shadyside High, this standalone entry digs into the rotten heart of popularity, secrets, and survival.
Based on R.L. Stine’s 1992 novel The Prom Queen, this fourth installment in the Fear Street franchise is a standalone slasher that departs from the trilogy’s timeline but keeps its blood-soaked spirit alive.
Prom night should have been perfect. The “It Girls” of Shadyside High had their eyes on the crown. But when an unexpected outsider is nominated for prom queen, the glitz cracks, and the horror begins.
One by one, the candidates vanish. A masked killer stalks the school halls, turning the gym into a graveyard of shattered dreams and spilled secrets. Glamour collapses into dread.
Leading the blood-soaked charge is India Fowler as Lori Granger, the outsider whose nomination sparks a deadly chain of events. Joining her are:
Suzanna Son as Megan Rogers
Fina Strazza as Tiffany Falconer
Ella Rubin as Melissa McKendrick
David Iacono, Ariana Greenblatt, Chris Klein, Katherine Waterston, Lili Taylor, and Rebecca Ablack
Each actor brings a distinct intensity to their role, deepening the film’s psychological edge. Director Matt Palmer emphasizes grounding the characters in emotional realism, stating:
“Central female friendship—between India Fowler and Suzanna Son—grounds the movie in a more lived-in, realistic world.”
This emotional foundation ensures that amidst the carnage, the characters feel authentic and relatable.
Matt Palmer directs with tight control and co-writes the screenplay alongside Donald McLeary. A fan of vintage slashers like Happy Birthday to Me and Sleepaway Camp, Palmer aimed for a tone that’s nostalgic yet off-kilter, mixing humor and horror with razor-sharp precision:
“I love slasher movies in general, but the ones that hit are... slightly more off the beaten track, which is what led to some of the humor and more intense elements of Prom Queen.”
The film is produced by Chernin Entertainment, the team behind the original Fear Street trilogy. With a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes, Prom Queen promises a compact yet intense ride through the dark corridors of Shadyside High.
Filming wrapped in May 2024, shot across Toronto and Hamilton, with sets that capture the gritty glamour of late-’80s high school life. Expect big hair, slow dances, VHS-era lighting, and hallways drenched in shadows.
Every detail—from the glittery prom posters to the synth-laced soundtrack—oozes ’80s horror nostalgia, giving fans a retro slasher experience with a modern edge.
What sets Prom Queen apart isn’t just the gore. It’s the real fear that pulses beneath the surface—fear of not fitting in, fear of secrets exposed, fear of standing out in a world that punishes difference. The film unpacks the darkness beneath ambition and image, showing how popularity can turn deadly when trust unravels and the mask slips.
Early glimpses of the trailer have sparked massive excitement. Fans praised its eerie audio design, sharp editing, and rich throwback aesthetic. Some called it a love letter to classic slashers; others said it felt like their high school nightmares come alive on screen.
This isn’t just another horror film. It’s a chilling twist on tradition, where the stakes are personal, the setting nostalgic, and the terror unrelenting.
Fear Street: Prom Queen lands exclusively on Netflix on May 23, 2025. Mark your calendars—the final dance is about to begin.
As mirrors crack and secrets spill, there’s only one truth: In Shadyside, it’s never safe to stand out. And when the music fades, only one queen will be left standing.