A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge

Mark Patton stars in the 1985 queer cult classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE. Today’s post was written by film critic and horror expert Dr. Heather O. Petrocelli (@queerforfear on Instagram). Be sure to follow their Instagram page for all things queer + horror.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY'S REVENGE

1985. USA.

 Director: Jack Sholder

Screenplay: David Chaskin

Starring: Mark Patton, Robert Englund, Kim Myers, Robert Rusler, Marshall Bell, Clu Gulager & Hope Lange

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge’ has become the poster child for queer horror films. I know that this film is polarizing (based on decades discussing horror with other queer folks); some queer viewers see shame in the narrative while others extract empowerment. Both reactions are valid—but I’m firmly in the latter camp. I love this film and have seen it so many times that I’ve lost count of how many. What I do know is that I love it more and more with each viewing, even the exploding parakeet.

‘Freddy’s Revenge’ is a taut 80-something minutes of sweaty queer awesomeness, featuring a giant Kate Bush poster, a queer S&M bar, locker room showers, and—of course—Mark Patton, who embodies Jesse with a perfect blend of vulnerability, strength, fear, and resilience. All of this spoke to this young queer oh so many years ago, and it continues to resonate today. If you haven’t already, be sure to watch ‘Scream, Queen! My Nightmare On Elm Street’ (2019) for additional extratextual layers of understanding about ‘Freddy’s Revenge’ and to celebrate the power of queer reclamation.

You can find FREDDY'S REVENGE streaming on PlutoTV (USA) & Max (Mexico), for rent/purchase on AppleTV & Amazon, and also available on DVD/Blu-ray.