Fear Street Part Three: 1666

Fear Street Part Three: 1666 is the thrilling and climactic final installment in Netflix's horror trilogy Fear Street, which is based on the popular horror book series by prolific author R.L. Stine. Directed by Leigh Janiak, this film serves as a prequel, revealing the dark history of the town of Shadyside, and takes us back to the year 1666 when the curse that haunts Shadyside first began.

The movie stars Kiana Madeira as Sarah Fier, the woman who was accused of being a witch and executed in 1666, a character shrouded in mystery in previous installments. Madeira does an excellent job portraying Sarah's struggle and desperation as she stands accused of witchcraft and battles the horror it spawns. The first half of the movie presents Sarah's chilling tale from her perspective, unlocking the secrets of what happened in 1666.

In Fear Street Part Three: 1666, the Shadyside we knew from the previous movies is juxtaposed by the Puritanical Union settlement, the precursor to the present-day Sunnyvale. The film contrasts the bright, sunlit optimism embodied by the people of Union and their hopes for prosperous futures, with the darkness and fear that quickly takes hold.

The film also sees Ashley Zukerman as Solomon, one of Sarah's close friends who, like other characters in this chapter, is a precursor to his present-day descendant. Solomon is a deeply complex character portrayed masterfully by Zukerman, who manages to capture his lightness and ultimate darkness convincingly.

Gillian Jacobs returns as the adult Ziggy Berman, loaded with her younger self's memories that become invaluable in the final fight against the 350-year-old curse. Her memories and insights guide the characters to the curse's origin, which turns out to be much different than what has always been believed by the Shadyside residents.

A lot of what makes Fear Street Part Three: 1666, and essentially the whole trilogy, effective as a horror film is the eerie atmosphere and attention to detail. From the lush green forests to the period-specific architecture, clothing, and language, the setting, production design, and cinematography allow viewers to slip into a different era.

Rooted in horror movie tropes, the movie is not just a gore-fest but delivers an eerie, creeping sense of dread by employing psychological terror. It cleverly uses the supernatural elements, amplifying the fear factor. There is a palpable feeling of unease that runs throughout the movie, punctuated by jump scares and unsettling imagery.

There's more than fear too. The movie also manages to touch on themes of persecution, patriarchy, and power imbalances as it humanizes the bones and myth of Saarah Fier's life and her tragic fall, blame, and death.

The strength of Fear Street Part Three: 1666 is in the way it takes the exciting threads spun by its predecessors and weaves them into a satisfying conclusion. It not only resolves the narrative arc of the entire trilogy but also resonates with a lingering sense of dread, highlighting how the horrors unleashed in the past reverberate and wreak havoc into the present and the future.

The performances of the central cast are commendable and the riveting storyline is complemented by a haunting score and period-specific set design that transports the viewer back to the era of witch trials, superstition, and fear.

The film's ultimate triumph is in how it manages to turn the narrative on its head, transforming a faceless symbol of evil into a wronged figure of pathos. It’s a kind of storytelling that strengthens the narrative's connection with viewers, heightening the dramatic impact when Fear Street Part Three: 1666 reaches its climax and testament to director Leigh Janiak’s vision and understanding of horror as a genre.

By the time the credits roll on Fear Street Part Three: 1666, audiences are left with a strong sense of closure, a resolved mystery, a story richly told. It blends history, horror, and human nature into a suspense-filled tale that leaves a lasting impression long after the screen goes dark. The Fear Street trilogy ends on a high note, an impressive feat considering the ground it had to cover in a short time frame. If you’re any bit a fan of the horror genre, this series is a must watch.