The Big Picture

• Wes Craven's New Nightmare redefined Freddy Krueger with a darker, more sinister portrayal that focused on his evil nature.
• Wes Craven's meta approach blurs fiction and reality, setting the stage for a unique and exciting horror sequel.
• The iconic line "I think the only way to stop him is to make another movie" sparks a reaction, leaving fans wanting more.

Wes Craven's New Nightmare hit theaters in 1994 and its unique and meta approach to storytelling would go on to set the tone for Wes Craven's much-loved pop culture classic Scream, three years later. New Nightmare is a bold and exciting chapter in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and despite only grossing $19.8 million at the box office (making it the lowest-grossing film in the series), it is still widely regarded as one of the best sequels by fans and critics alike. Wes Craven's New Nightmare is unlike any other movie in its franchise and is relentless in its approach to blurring the lines of fiction and reality in a clever and unique format. New Nightmare reinstates Freddy Krueger to his creator's original depiction of this depraved cult character. There's less reliance on the silly humor we've come to see in the past, as Craven instead shifts the focus back to Freddy Krueger's truly evil nature.

'Wes Craven's New Nightmare' Is Different From Other Nightmare On Elm Street Movies

A Nightmare on Elm Street celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, with a special VHS release of Robert Englund's documentary planned to coincide. After its original release, Wes Craven had very little involvement with the franchise. Aside from co-writing Dream Warriors in 1987, he had very much taken a back seat. However, 10 years later, Craven would release a new and inspired chapter in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and no one could have prepared themselves for the bold new direction it would take. Wes Craven's New Nightmare is set in a meta world where A Nightmare on Elm Street was just a movie and audiences were watching the main stars play versions of themselves. New Nightmare pushed the boundaries of where a horror sequel can take viewers, making it stand out above its predecessors. Original final girl Heather Langenkamp returned to the franchise, starring as a fictionalized version of herself. Robert Englund signed up to reprise his role as Freddy Krueger but also portrayed himself in this meticulously crafted plot.

As the name suggests, the movie focuses on Wes Craven and how he brought Freddy to life in his films. Although not an actor himself, Craven pleasantly shocked viewers when he took on a pivotal role. In this on-screen world, Wes Craven writes his scripts based on his nightmares, and he's dreaming of Freddy once again. This darker, more disturbing, and sinister version of Freddy Krueger is a welcome change and brings a new dimension to the movie and the franchise overall. His new appearance focuses on his burned face, which is now gaunt and harshly defined, creating an even more nightmarish effect, once again showcasing that this isn't your "playful" Freddy of movies past. As Freddy tries to break through into "our world," he must come through Heather Langenkamp, who gave him his power in her role as Nancy. Not content with killing her husband, Krueger sets his sights on her son, Dylan. Perfectly played by Miko Hughes (Pet Sematary, Mercury Rising), the character of Dylan and his stuffed toy dinosaur, Rex, play a pivotal part in keeping Freddy down in his own world, but how long can Dylan keep "the mean old man with the claws" at bay?

The Meta Theme of 'Wes Craven's New Nightmare' Brought Exciting New Elements

In a format akin to breaking the fourth wall, Wes Craven's New Nightmare opened up a whole host of exciting scenes for true fans of the franchise. As Freddy begins to break through to the modern-day world, a series of classic quotes are born. When Craven realizes what's been happening, he delivers a now iconic line:

Wes Craven: I think the only way to stop him is to make another movie. Now I swear to you I'll I'm gonna stay by this computer and keep writing until I finish the script, but... when the time comes, you're gonna have to make a choice.

Heather Langenkamp: Choice? What kind of choice?

Wes Craven: Whether or not you're willing to play Nancy one last time.

This iconic line had the best delivery and, despite being a little cheesy, it is important as it sparked a reaction in audiences who really did just want to see Nancy and Freddy fight it out one last time. Portraying a protective mother and fighting off one of horror's most iconic villains once again seemed to be a walk in the park for real-life Heather Langenkamp, as she never once faltered in her believability as a desperate parent who must face even her darkest demons to protect her child. Kudos must also be given to Miko Hughes, who, at such a young age, delivered an intense and vulnerable portrayal of a young boy under extreme levels of terror and sleep deprivation.

Did 'Wes Craven's New Nightmare' Inspire the Scream Franchise?

Wes Craven's New Nightmare may not have directly inspired Scream, but it certainly seems to have laid the groundwork for its development. Both titles share the common theme of bringing movies to "real life" and focus on pushing viewers' boundaries of what they think they know about horror tropes. Whilst New Nightmare took a serious, darker twist on things, Scream opted for a decidedly more tongue-in-cheek approach that was almost a subtle wink to audiences throughout. Sydney Prescott learns several life lessons and talks about horror bimbos running upstairs when they should be running out the front door — which she later does herself. Movie buff and fan favorite Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) warns us of typical horror deaths before falling victim to one of these. Wes Craven's New Nightmare doesn't follow this playful format. For Wes, this feels like far more serious stuff and this is where it really stands out from the other movies in the franchise.

Wes Craven sadly passed away from a brain tumor at his Los Angeles home in 2015. Still, his presence in the horror industry makes for an enduring legacy, with movies such as Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes, and The People Under The Stairs all proving strong examples of his best work. However, it was A Nightmare on Elm Street that brought a feeling of excitement and fun to audiences worldwide, and with Wes Craven having been Freddy's original creator, it feels only right that we got to see him return this iconic character to his most authentic and terrifying self in Wes Craven's New Nightmare.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.

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