79
theory

Okay, "Freddy's Revenge" is WAY Gay Subtext-ier Than You Think (Hear Me Out!)

So, I KNOW, I KNOW. "Freddy's Revenge" is like, the black sheep of the Elm Street family. People hate it, call it the worst. But honestly? I've watched it a billion times (probably literally lol), and the sheer bonkers-ness of it keeps me coming back. It's so bad it's...fascinating? Anyway, my theory. It's not even really a theory, more like an observation that becomes CLEARER every time I watch: It's SO gay. Like, not just a little coded, but full-on, Freddy-possessing-Jesse-to-go-to-a-leather-bar gay. Think about it! The locker room scene? The way Jesse is terrified of falling asleep and losing control, like he's fighting some inner demon? And the pool scene at the party where he attacks his girlfriend's dad? It's so much more than just teen angst. It's like, repressed sexuality manifesting in the most Freddy Krueger-y way possible. It even ends (SPOILER ALERT) with Jesse and Lisa hugging in his room, which is then magically restored as if the evil has vanquished (repressed). If you don't see it, I don't know what to tell you. And okay, the director was closeted at the time, apparently, and has even acknowledged some of this in interviews since. So it's not exactly groundbreaking stuff. But still! I feel like people focus so much on the 'bad writing' and the continuity errors (and yes, they're bad!), that they miss the deeper, albeit accidental, subtext. Freddy's not just trying to kill people; he's trying to use Jesse's unacknowledged desires to break into the real world. It's almost...brilliant, in a completely unintentional way. I think people are too hard on it, but I get the hate too. What do you guys think? Am I reaching? Or is "Freddy's Revenge" actually a (very flawed and bizarre) masterpiece of accidental gay horror? Let me know your takes!!

hannahfilmbuff
5 months ago
3 comments
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