PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Everyone has a favorite slasher, for one reason or another. My heart belongs to the burned-up dude who invades your dreams, makes on-the-nose dad jokes, and slaughters innocent teenagers to make them atone for the sins of their parents.
However, Freddy Krueger isn’t like other slashers. He doesn’t play horror movie trivia like Ghostface, or skulk silently like Jason and Michael Myers. He’s clever, and calculating, and infiltrates you at your weakest – when you’re asleep.
Not just any actor could pull off the man with razor hands, and Wes Craven knew this. If you’re a Freddy fan (or “Fredhead,” as they’re affectionately dubbed) you may want to get a closer look at the fascinating man under the makeup: the charismatic, intellectual, funny, and sharp actor who brings so much to the table it’s a damn shame they don’t make it a habit of giving Oscars for slasher films.
Premiering June 6 exclusively on Screambox (Englund’s 76th birthday) Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story takes fans back to the beginning of the iconic actor’s career. Through film clips, interviews, photos, and, best of all, stories told by the man himself, we get a clearer picture of Englund’s road to becoming one of the most memorable horror icons of all time, capturing the imagination and fear of multiple generations of fans.
I couldn’t wait to dig my claws into this doc as soon as it dropped, and though it clocks in at just over two hours, I could have easily listened to Englund, with his lovely, deep, hypnotic voice, tell stories for double that length and been rapt the entire time.
This doc is a love letter to Freddy fans, and watching Englund take viewers through his life, starting with childhood photos (the doe-eyed young Englund looking remarkably like his beautiful mother, Janis, shown in pictures next to his serious-faced father, John Kent) is a true treat, so enjoyable I never wanted to see the end credits roll!
It’s easy for fans new to the series to dismiss Englund as “the guy that plays Freddy,” but those who believe that may be stunned to discover just how storied his career has been, taking the man on a wild, twisting journey that rocketed the talented trained thespian from theater to character acting to becoming an overnight household name.
Some of the most fun parts of this doc include hearing co-stars like William Katt (Carrie 1976), Bill Moseley (House of 1000 Corpses 2003), and Dennis Christopher (It 1990) talk about working with Englund and watching his talent blossom (also, some of these stories are hilarious).
Englund had worked on films with legendary actors Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator 1984) and Burt Reynolds (Smokey and the Bandit 1977) along with The Texas Chain Saw Massacre director Tobe Hooper way before he slipped into teen dreams, cementing his status as a versatile actor who could seamlessly slip from character to character.
The captivating Englund was already a well-known actor in the ‘80s due to his role as alien Willie in the miniseries V, and, well, we all know what happened after that. Though hearing about Englund’s success as Freddy is fun, I got much more out of learning about what led up to the pivotal part.
Hearing Adam Green (Hatchet 2006), Tony Todd (Candyman 1992), Nathan Baesel (Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon 2006), Eli Roth (Hostel 2005), Doug Bradley (Hellraiser 1987), and Lin Shaye (Insidious 2010) sing Englund’s praises is awesome, and it’s truly bittersweet to hear Kane Hodder’s (Victor Crowley 2017) comments about the role that should have been in the film fans truly wanted (like Voldemort, let’s not speak its name).
Englund’s storytelling is entrancing. He really has a way with words, and I was stone silent the entire length of the doc, smiling with a goofy grin and bursting into laughter more than a few times. Englund chooses words carefully but speaks like a writer, his distinct phrasing almost poetic as he paints the most vivid pictures of his remembrances. It’s truly beautiful, listening to him reminisce.
Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street 1984) also contributes some great storytelling, and it’s always a pleasure to hear what she has to say (I can’t recommend her own doc, I Am Nancy, enough. Seriously, watch it!) since she had the distinct honor to work with Englund not just once but multiple times and offers her own unique perspective.
Englund’s star rose higher as he showed up in pop culture classics (and horror fan faves) Wishmaster and Hatchet, and an endearing turn in the super fun flick Urban Legend. Though Englund is clearly a master of his craft, at some point the horror community claimed him as our own, and fortunately, he was okay with that!
I got a little teary hearing Englund talk about how he and his wife, Nancy, met, and their enduring love for each other. They’re a really sweet couple who have been on a highly unusual career trajectory together but hold fast to their relationship and devotion to each other. I loved hearing her stories and thoughts about her husband’s career and lasting legacy (and the many fans that show up to conventions to meet him!)
If you’re a fan of Freddy or even more, love Englund’s work and varied career, this doc is well worth your time. I typically watch every horror doc I possibly can, and though many of them are good, this one is a standout and will shed light on the many, many reasons that playing Freddy is only a small portion of what makes Robert Englund so special – as an actor and a human being.
And for those reasons, our horror community is vastly lucky to have him, and I can’t wait to see what he does next! We’re all your children now, Robert!
Hollywood Dreams and Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story is streaming on Screambox, and is also available to rent and own on demand (Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, etc.). The documentary heads to Blu-ray on July 25th, 2023, and is available for pre-order now.
