Every Town Has an Elm Street…
In Celebration of Freddy's 40th Anniversary...
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET was released on November 9, 1984. Written and directed by Wes Craven, the film tells the terrifying tale of Freddy Krueger, a child murderer who returns to haunt the dreams of teenagers.
The supernatural slasher flick became a pop culture phenomenon and a massively successful franchise, spawning nine films, a television series, novels, comics, games, and countless pieces of merchandise and memorabilia.
To celebrate the iconic film’s 40th anniversary, I thought I’d publish my pitch for a reboot/remake. Let me know what you think!
LOGLINE: In the progressive commune of Springwood, a group of teenagers are haunted in their dreams by the vengeful spirit of Father Fred Krueger, a disgraced priest burned alive for his crimes, who returns from the grave to torment the godless children for forsaking their faith.
SUMMARY: It’s the New Millennium, and 17-year-old Nancy Thompson doesn’t believe in God. No one in Springwood does. The “intentional community” is free of religious persecution, and the kids who grow up there are free to engage in premarital sex, experiment with drugs, and put their faith in science and education instead of organized religion.
It wasn’t always this way, though. Before it became an egalitarian, income-sharing, secular utopia, Springwood was like any other small American town in the 1980s: rife with inequality, obsessed with material wealth, and drowning in excess, all while espousing the values of the “moral majority.”
Everything changed when 10-year-old Robbie Wesley went missing in 1989. The police investigation quickly led to Father Fred Krueger, a respected priest known for his hardline conservative values. Despite the evidence, Krueger managed to evade justice due to a technicality and the protective measures of the Catholic Church.
The community, outraged by the Church’s complicity and the betrayal of a trusted figure, took matters into their own hands. In a moment of collective rage, the congregation, including Robbie's parents, set fire to the church, sealing Krueger’s fate inside. This act of violence marked a turning point for Springwood, as the incident shattered the faith of its inhabitants and left indelible scars on the collective psyche of the community.
In the aftermath, hundreds abandoned their religious beliefs, while many others left Springwood altogether, seeking solace and healing elsewhere. The church, once a cornerstone of the community, was never rebuilt. As of 2001, there are no houses of worship in Springwood.
Enter Nancy and her friends, who have grown up amidst the remnants of this tragedy, blissfully unaware of the darkness that once plagued their hometown. Their lives revolve around the pursuit of knowledge and personal freedom, shielded from the haunting memories of a community that has turned its back on faith.
The teenagers discover - via the internet, new to their town - Springwood’s troubled past and the origins of Father Fred Krueger. Krueger’s mother, Amanda, was a nun who suffered unimaginable abuse while working at nearby Westin Hills Mental Hospital.
In a harrowing incident during Christmas of 1964, Amanda was accidentally locked in the asylum with its most disturbed inmates. For days, she endured horrific violence, emerging only to find herself pregnant. Elders in the Church insisted that her suffering was part of a divine plan. Sadly, she believed them.
Nine months later, Frederick Charles Krueger is born — The Bastard Son of 100 Maniacs. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian household, he experienced a tumultuous upbringing filled with abuse and repression, particularly directed toward his burgeoning sexuality. Struggling to reconcile his desires with the strict teachings of his upbringing, Fred's attempts to suppress his urges led him down a dark path, culminating in his manipulation of power as a priest.
As Nancy and her friends delve deeper into Krueger's horrific legacy, they begin to experience unsettling dreams and visions that blur the lines between reality and nightmare. The ghosts of the past return to haunt Springwood, revealing the consequences of a town's buried secrets and unacknowledged trauma.
They soon realize that the fight against Krueger is not just a battle for their lives but also for the soul of Springwood itself—a struggle to confront the generational fear and unresolved grief that still lingers in the town. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of their own beliefs and fears, Nancy and her friends must find the courage to face the darkness, reclaim their identity, and forge a new understanding of what it means to believe in something greater than themselves.
The Characters
Nancy Thompson:
Personality and Background: Nancy is intelligent, resourceful, and possesses a sharp wit that she often uses to mask her insecurities. Growing up in a divorced household, she has always felt the need to prove herself, putting immense pressure on her academic performance. This drive stems not only from a desire to secure a scholarship and escape Springwood but also from a longing for validation and acceptance that she feels she missed out on during her parents' tumultuous separation.
Motivations: Nancy’s ambition to excel is a double-edged sword; while it propels her toward success, it also isolates her from her peers, as she often prioritizes her studies over social interactions. Her journey will challenge her to reconsider what success truly means, forcing her to confront her fears and the burden of expectations she places on herself.
Jake:
Personality and Background: As a film nerd, Jake is imaginative and passionate about storytelling, often using his creativity to escape his social anxieties. His aspirations to follow in the footsteps of horror legends like John Carpenter reflect his love for the genre, but his social anxiety holds him back. Crowds and public speaking induce panic attacks, which manifest in nightmarish scenarios where he feels trapped and overwhelmed.
Motivations: Jake's desire to create films stems from a need to express himself and escape his insecurities. His fascination with horror also serves as a coping mechanism, allowing him to explore fear in a controlled environment. However, he grapples with the fear that he will never overcome his anxiety or make it in Hollywood.
Tony:
Personality and Background: Tony is vibrant, confident, and unapologetically proud of his identity as a gay Latino teenager. His upbringing in a supportive community has allowed him to flourish. Still, he remains acutely aware of the shifting political landscape and the growing intolerance he sees reflected in national politics. His concerns are not just about himself but also about his friends and community, and he fears that the progress they’ve made could be stripped away.
Motivations: Tony’s activism stems from a desire to protect the freedoms he cherishes. He wants to be a voice for those who may not feel as secure in their identities and is committed to fighting against oppressive forces, whether they come from outside the community or within.
Hannah:
Personality and Background: Fierce and passionate, Hannah is a punk rock musician who embodies the spirit of rebellion. She channels her anger and frustration over societal issues into her music and activism, using her voice to advocate for women’s rights. However, her strong exterior masks a deep-seated fear of being silenced and controlled.
Motivations: Hannah’s commitment to feminism is driven by personal experiences and the desire to ensure that future generations of women don’t face the same oppression. Her nightmares reflect her anxieties about losing autonomy and control over her own body and decisions.
Emily:
Personality and Background: Emily is a high-achieving athlete and student, driven by ambition and a fierce determination to succeed. However, as a Black woman, she grapples with societal prejudices, especially her fear of police brutality. Her anxiety is compounded by the realities faced by her older brother, who has experienced racial profiling firsthand.
Motivations: Emily’s motivation stems from her desire to break barriers and excel in a world that often seeks to marginalize her. She strives to make a name for herself in athletics while also being a voice for her community, hoping to create a safer environment for her brother and other young people of color.
Together, these characters bring their struggles, fears, and strengths to the collective fight against Father Krueger. Their individual arcs will weave together to form a narrative that examines themes of trauma, resilience, and the power of community. As they confront their past and the legacy of their town, they will discover that their greatest weapon against the darkness is their unity, diversity, and willingness to reclaim their identities in the face of fear.
Reimagining Freddy Krueger
Physical Appearance:
Charred Figure: Father Fred Krueger's body is a grotesque spectacle. His flesh is burned and scarred, serving as a physical manifestation of his sins and a constant reminder of the judgment enacted upon him.
Attire: Krueger wears a charred priest's cassock, often paired with a pellegrina (shoulder cape) and a cappello romano (the round, broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat often worn by clergymen).
Ritualistic Glove: His weapon of choice is an ornate golden claw - an “instrument of penance” used in self-flagellation and mortification of the flesh rituals to aid in the process of sanctification, leaving physical (and psychological) scars on his victims.
Rosary and Crucifix: Intricately threaded through the knuckle joints of the glove is a rosary made of black onyx, white “cat's eye” gemstones, and gold and brass accents. The crucifix that dangles from the glove’s cuff acts as a haunting symbol of the faith he now weaponizes. Instead of offering solace, it is a twisted reminder of his perversions and the corruption of the Church he served.
Opening Scene: The School Shooter
INT. ELM STREET HIGH SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY
The camera pans across a bustling classroom filled with chatter and laughter. Students settle into their seats, the anticipation of a new school year palpable in the air. At the front, the teacher, MR. SHAYE, an affable man in his 50s, welcomes the students with a warm smile.
MR. SHAYE
Good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic summer. Let’s kick off this year with some great discussions!
CUT TO:
NANCY THOMPSON (17), focused and determined, sits in the front row, her notebooks organized and ready. She glances back at her friends—JAKE, TONY, HANNAH, and EMILY—who share smiles brimming with youthful energy.
TONY
(leaning towards Nancy)
What do you think? Will we survive Mr. Shaye’s pop quizzes this year?
NANCY
(grinning)
As long as we stick together, we’ll be fine.
Suddenly, the SOUND OF A GUNSHOT pierces the air, echoing ominously through the room. The laughter dies instantly; the students exchange terrified glances.
MR. SHAYE
(alarmed)
Stay calm, everyone!
But the calm quickly dissipates as more GUNSHOTS ring out from the hallway. Panic erupts; students scramble from their seats, desperate to escape the horror unfolding outside.
CUT TO:
INT. ELM STREET HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
The camera moves into the hallway, revealing the TRENCH-COATED SILHOUETTE of a shooter (not too different than the silhouette of Father Fred Krueger in his black priest's cassock) as he moves swiftly and coldly, firing at random. The chaos is palpable as students and teachers fall to the ground, screaming and fleeing for their lives.
BACK TO CLASSROOM
Students rush towards the door, frantically trying to barricade it.
HANNAH
(voice trembling)
What’s happening?
EMILY
(fighting tears)
We have to do something!
As the shooter approaches the classroom door, the sounds of gunfire grow louder. JAKE, visibly shaken but determined, makes a split-second decision.
JAKE
(whispering fiercely)
We can’t just hide! We need to stop him!
He dashes towards the door, and the camera follows his frantic movements as he grabs a heavy chair. Just as the shooter bursts through the door, JAKE swings the chair, but it’s not enough.
SHOOTER
(coldly)
You think you can save them?
The BAYONET at the end of the shooter's assault rifle catches the light, gleaming menacingly. In a swift, brutal motion, the shooter plunges the blade deep into JAKE's stomach. Jake gasps, his eyes wide with disbelief as the cold steel pierces through him, the blade emerging from his back. The gun barrel is now pressed against his chest.
BANG. CUT TO BLACK.
INT. JAKE'S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
JAKE bolts upright in bed, drenched in sweat. He looks around, disoriented, as reality settles back in.
JAKE
(breathing heavily)
It was just a dream…
So, that’s my pitch! As for who I’d cast as Father Fred Krueger, my top choice is Dan Stevens (THE GUEST, CUCKOO, ABIGAIL) - a talented, charismatic actor who can go from funny and charming to sinister at the drop of a dirty brown hat. What do you think? Who would you cast? Let me know below!