Netflix's Fear Street Part 1: 1994 and Part 2: 1978 have officially been given R-ratings by the MPAA for various reasons, including bloody violence. Both films are based on R.L. Stine's book series of the same name set in the fictionalized town of Shadyside and various teenagers encountering everything from paranormal terrors to outright murders. Stine wrote the novels with an older demographic in mind in contrast to his acclaimed Goosebumps novels being aimed at kids.
The trilogy features an ensemble cast including Community's Gillian Jacobs, Stranger Things' Maya Hawke and Sadie Sink, Ozark's Jordana Spiro, and The Lost Symbol's Ashley Zuckerman. The story centers on three different eras of the small town gripped by a threat that ties back to a woman accused of witchcraft in 1666. The films initially hit a bump in the road due to Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, nearly resulting in their being shelved after completion of production. Still, with Netflix swiftly picking up the rights to the trilogy, everything's on track for Fear Street to make its way to audiences.
With just a few weeks left until the whole trilogy arrives on Netflix, Bloody Disgusting has learned that the first two parts have officially earned R ratings. Part 1 is rated R for "strong bloody violence, drug content, language and some sexual content" while Part 2 for "bloody horror violence, sexual content, nudity, drug use, and language throughout." See what Stine recently had to say about the trilogy:
“Fear Street fans are in for a treat – and some major surprises. Readers know that the book series is rated PG. But the movies are rated R. That means a lot more thrills – and a lot more terror! I have seen Leigh Janiak’s epic trilogy releasing on Netflix in July and I can tell you the scares and the SCREAMS are more than I ever expected.”
Though the novels were written with a more mature audience in mind, it still comes as a surprise to see the films went for the hard R rating. While it could be argued that Netflix's lack of need for box office success helped establish co-writer/director Leigh Janiak's ability to go for the adult rating, it should be noted that production was completed prior to Netflix gaining the rights to the film. Fox may have been willing to along with the R rating for the trilogy, but given their struggles to find any kind of horror hit, let alone an R-rated one, it's possible some cuts would've been requested by the studio.
Stine is certainly a master of writing terrifying stories for all ages, with some of the live-action series adaptation of Goosebumps still proving shocking to this date for those who grew up with it and those just discovering it. There have been plenty of PG-13 horror films out there proving a rating doesn't have to necessitate how much a film will scare the viewer, but the confirmation that Fear Street Part 1 and Part 2 went for the R-rating does indicate older genre fans should enjoy the ride just as much as the teenagers the novels were aimed at. Only time will tell when the trilogy arrives on Netflix in July.
Source: Bloody Disgusting
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