blog412

[blog412]

Qualms with Netflix Fear Street trilogy

I have some qualms with the Fear Street trilogy recently released on Netflix. That said, expect ***SPOILERS*** ahead. You’ve been warned. My first qualm is with the manner by which the Goode family obtained and maintains their hold on the region and the blessings they receive. Basically, in honoring their deal with the devil, a member of each generation has to make a sacrifice of someone from Shadyside. That sacrifice is controlled or possessed by the devil and goes on a killing spree. My problem with this concept is that, from a logical perspective, you cannot sell something you don’t own. You might have heard the old adage about selling the Brooklyn Bridge, a preposterous concept as the question must inevitably be asked “do you have ownership of the bridge in order to sell it?” Likewise, by what right do the Goodes allow the devil to possess someone? There should be a greater explanation, like the person to be possessed having some form of obligation to the Goodes or the member of the Goode family to offer the sacrifice has to sire a bastard with a Shadysider, just something to explain by what right they are making a sacrifice. The whole concept is subverted in that a sacrifice requires something be lost or given. Usually when addressing animal or human sacrifices what is given is the blood or life (death) of whomever or whatever is to be sacrificed. However, consider concepts like the miller’s daughter “sacrificing” or promising her firstborn child to Rumpelstiltskin or even biblically when Hannah gives her firstborn child, Samuel, to the priesthood. Summarily, the movie trilogy’s poor handling of the concept of sacrifice created a narrative plot hole which felt, at least for me, significant. Additionally, there is a scene in the 3rd movie (Fear Street 1666) wherein the two protagonists (Deena and Josh) contact Martin, whom Josh met while at the jail in the events of the first film (Fear Street 1994). Josh, who is a black male, asks Martin, who is also a black male, “Wanna help us kill Sheriff Goode?” Martin responds, “Let me get my coat.” It’s important to note that Sheriff Goode framed Martin, but at this point in the film, Martin does not know Sherriff Goode framed him. It’s the same sort of anti-police race baiting that rose to the surface during the 2020 election cycle. For anyone aware, black Americans are more likely to be struck by lightning than killed by a police officer (https://youtu.be/NFd31GujPFc the video might come from a biased source, but the stats do not).