“A Nightmare on Elm Street” is a 1984-horror film about a child murderer named Freddy Krueger who takes revenge against the parents of Elm Street for killing him by killing their children in their dreams.
The film follows Nancy Thompson as she encounters Freddy after her friend Tina suffers from nightmares and is killed by Freddy. The film ends with Nancy pulling Freddy into the real world and realizing that Freddy is powered by fear so ignores him thus defeating him.
I think the original Elm Street film is one of, and probably the best in the series, with the film introducing Freddy Krueger to the world and setting up a horrifying story, both in and out of the dream world. Also the film is what launched Johnny Depp’s career.
Overall the original “Elm Street” is one of the best slashers of time and is hard to beat. But one film did come close.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” is a 1987-slasher film written and produced by Wes Craven, who wrote and directed the original, and directed by Chuck Russell.
The film follows Kristen Parker as she along with the other kids in Westin Hills Psychiatric Hospital as they suffer from nightmares of Freddy, as he attempts to kill the last of the Elm Street kids and how Nancy Thompson (now an intern therapist) helps the kids stop Freddy at the expense of her own life by using the dream world to their advantage.
“Elm Street 3” is as good as the original with the film adding to Freddy’s backstory with the inclusion of his mother and her story as well as perfecting Freddy’s character with this film seeming to have a good balance of Freddy’s fear factor and his ever iconic one liners.
The film also touches on some darker subject matter. And if you’re someone who suffers some mental health issues, you might it too personal or you could find it inspirational. I suppose it’s a matter of perspective.
In conclusion, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” are in my opinion the two best in the series. “Elm Street 3” is a nice return to form after what was one the worst sequels ever made, being A Nightmare on “Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge.” My suggestion is to skip “Freddy’s Revenge” and go right on to “Dream Warriors,” then you get a good story and the end of Nancy’s story.
