FREDHEADS: THE DOCUMENTARY *** USA 2022 Dir: Paige Troxell & Kim Gunzinger. 139 mins
There are many horror icons out there but arguably Freddy Krueger is the one that managed to claw its way into pop culture the most successfully. This is down partly to the way the A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET films were marketed but also a huge part is the fan base, the ones that go above and beyond to show their love for the franchise, these fans are FredHeads.
Whether its watching the films from a young age, some as even early as 4 years old, to buying everything they can find that is Freddy related all the way to cosplaying as characters from the films we are told different stories from fans in this documentary. The speakers in this documentary which consist mostly of convention-goers speak on how the movies changed them, and in some cases saved them from bullying and even suicide.
Essentially FREDHEADS: THE DOCUMENTARY is a table-talk piece which acts partly as a therapy session for the group of documentary makers (Jeremy Todd Morehead, Diandra Lazor, Anthony Brownlee, Kim Gunzinger and Paige Troxell) who also regale us with stories of how much the A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise means to them on a more personal level.
It does feature stars of the films franchise but these are usually conversations caught on camera at conventions, though it is nice for the viewers of this documentary that may never get a chance to meet these stars in person to watch this and see the interactions that the A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise cast/crew have with the fan base.
This is a touching tribute for and to a loyal fan base that has grown even more since the advent of the internet and the world domination of horror conventions. We all have our favourite film from the franchise and could quote several of Freddy’s best lines given a chance, but this documentary also shows that despite some peoples outside perspective of horror fans of being devil worshippers, we as fans are some of the most sweet, caring and loyal people on this planet.
FREDHEADS: THE DOCUMENTARY may not be for those who are looking for even more facts or filmmaker stories about the franchise but there is a few of those types of documentaries out there already, the best being Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010).
For those that perhaps feel alone in this world watch this fan-centric documentary to see that you are not alone and the FredHeads reach is further then you first thought.
Review by Peter ‘Witchfinder‘ Hopkins
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https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fredheads-The-Documentary-DVD/1832026236