Reacting to Reviews For A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

#nightmareonelmst
It’s no secret to anyone that the remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street is divisive. Since the film came out, it has generated quite the passionate discussion.
Today, I wanted to highlight some of the negative reviews, while also showing a few of the positive ones. Let’s discuss
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[@banditdan4117]

I know I'll get hate for this, but I like this movie more than anything after The Dream Warriors. I was never a big Freddy fan especially after he became too comedic.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

You won’t get hate from me. Hell, I commend you. That’s bold. Wear that proudly!

[@ThomasDrish]

No hate here, either, to each their own, but I’d just love some insight on why you liked it. Maybe I’m overlooking something. I think Jackie was a great Freddy, IMHO, but besides that…I think this reboot could have been better.

[@richardstange5939]

A Nightmare on Elm Street movies are one of those franchises that I grew up with. I collected them on VHS tape in the 90s and loved them. So, growing up, I always felt that Robert is Freddy. I still do. And I’m so proud that he is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, with all that said, I remember watching this remake in theaters. And I enjoyed the hell out of it. I like how they brought Freddy back to his Elm Street 1 & 2 roots pertaining to his characterization. I like the micronaps. I love the thing he does with his claws. I like Freddy’s lines in the movie. Also, I like the story or how they leaned into the “other” aspect of Freddy (which was always there whether fans like it or not). They have implicated “that aspect” of Freddy a time or two throughout the franchise. This film is the one that leaned into it a little more. Well, let’s face it, Freddy was never a nice guy. Sure, it had some CGI that was a little off putting, but that alone did not make me fault the film. Overall, I like this film. I think it is one of those “hip things” to do in the horror community, to hate this movie. I do think that “group think” is VERY prevalent in the horror community. I’ve been communicating with horror fans online since the days of the message board in the 90s. It has never changed. Group think is, always was, and always will be a thing in the horror community. I’ve just learned to accept it. It is what it is.

[@TheShape_1031]

LOVE the remake. It's my 3rd favourite in the franchise, behind the original and Freddy's Revenge. Criminally underrated. Most complaints about the film can be associated with any of the other films (outside of the original) but people give those a pass because they are the originals. Honestly? The only gripe I have is them missing the GOLDEN opportunity of making him innocent.

[@valeriebreidenstein8362]

Totally agree. Also many don't even give this movie a chance, because it is not Robert Englund that portraied Freddy and that makes a movie unwatchable in their minds. Also no one can make any counting argument why they think FvJ, Dream Child or Freddy's dead are better in their opinion, even though Freddy was nothing but a stupid looking comedian in those three.

[@ezelldaniels6064]

Despite what critics and others say about this movie I am one of those few who actually loved and enjoyed this movie a lot. Of course it has its flaws, I didn't care for the CGI and some of the dialogue was lack luster, but tbh I really think this movie was pretty good.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

I think so too, honestly. I get the complaints, but I guess I find the good(ish) outweighs the bad

[@ezelldaniels6064]

​@@TheLostRiverDriveIn Agreed brother

[@punkaccino]

"Horribly burned Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle" is the greatest description of the 2010 Freddy make up I've heard yet! I'll never be able to unsee it and I don't ever want to 😂. I have a lot of fun with this movie but I completely understand the criticism.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Yeah now I can’t see his face any other way 😂

[@thechosenones4375]

Jackie in 2010 is a far better actor than Robert was in 84. That's like comparing a yellow belt to a brown belt, as far as credibility. I prefer the original, but since I'm not a gatekeeper, I can admit that 2010 is better at a few things.

[@Andrew_Skywalker03]

I haven’t watched this remake in years. Maybe I should give it another shot. I do need to do an Elm Street Marathon someday.

[@richardstange5939]

Seriously , anyone who says that ANY film from the big three franchises is the “worst movie they ever saw” is obvious hyperbole or they have not seen very many movies at all.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

I’m starting to wonder if they only watch the big three lol

[@gregmartin114]

He might be too old now, but I think Timothy Olyphant would make a good Freddy Kruger. Watching him in deadwood with the sheriff’s hat on walking down the alley with a snarl reminded me of Freddy in the original.

[@piercedaychief6075]

What about negative reviews for the 2009 Friday the 13th reboot

[@bradleyrobinson4975]

Honestly I really liked the remake. Better than most of the ones specally after 3. I know I will take heat for that

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

You’re the second person on here to say that! I’m honestly surprised, and I respect that take. I will say though, Dream Master is really underrated

[@royburnopp5147]

When I first saw it in the theater I walked out like WTF then I went back and watched it again and again and again and I actually like it now but there's a lot of wrong with it I thought the opening scene would have been better with the one that day we're going to use. Makeup was horrible but Jackie was totally fine the backstory was okay besides you know what part The Kills were probably the best in the franchise and the Freddy saying why are you screaming I haven't even cut you yet.. badass. And did you know after the heart stops beating the brain still functions lovers for well over 7 minutes that is absolutely badass . So yes I would agree with you I give it three and a half out of 5

[@filmfreak1812]

Totally true words starting at 4:20 👍

[@kevinsmith3900]

I can agree with the "if it's not broken, don't fix it" argument and still have no problem with reboots. I think reboots are more called for movies that had potential but didn't work out the first time, or even terrible movies, and someone thinks they can do a better version. And yes I do get upset when I hear that some of my all time favorites are getting rebooted. RoboCop and Toxic Avenger for example, but in the case of Hellraiser, I was excited to hear about a reboot because I think it desperately needed it. But I am open to liking a reboot of my all time favorites if it's done right, but it mostly doesn't.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Reboots by definition are “lesser” than the original, that’s just the way it is. But, I’m not turned off by the term initially because I do feel some of these properties could definitely use it! Everything was getting remade at this time, so, Freddy was naturally going to get his, too. If nothing else, we got the chance to see a much different Nightmare movie

[@kevinsmith3900]

Yes that's a valid point. I can say for my own personal taste, the remakes that did it better were The Thing and The Fly. And I guess it's just because I can't really get into movies that came out before the 70's. I enjoy some from the 60's. But I think there's a handful of movies in the 90's that flopped, and if done better would be awesome movies. Waterworld for example. But what I would like to see is a lot of movies that were PG or PG13 movies that had family friendly action and touches of comedy, to have an R rated remake with a serious tone. Movies like Inspector Gadget and Home Alone. I think that's a better idea for a remake, instead of using the same formula and tone.

[@brandim1230]

Great video Love your shirt

[@harlanbrown679]

I think being passionate and in some ways taking ownership for a particular property is a good thing. I think we as fans have to use our voices to let the studios know that we just won’t accept any crap they push out there. This everyone gets an award mentality is the worst thing for our beloved franchises

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Oh for sure. Just because something exists, doesn’t mean we should throw a parade. It still has to justify it’s existence

[@MMARussy]

I don’t hate this movie I just feel like it could have been so much better. But I also agree Freddy’s revenge is the best Nightmare movie!! So underrated

[@AHD4020]

I would give this 5/5 Love everything about this film This is the evil dark as F freddy we should have gotten after freddy's revenge Freddy became a loony tunes joke from 3 onwards now I do enjoy some of that as it is entertaining bit I always wanted a dark evil freddy again and this was that for sure I watch this film the most out of the whole series I'm 40 and have watched these films since I was 4 This is way better than people give it credit for

[@Legionofthenight]

I really enjoy this movie. Freddy has a pretty dark personality. Haley did a good acting job as him with his own take. As much as I love Rooney, she should have not played the role as Nancy. This movie could have been a lot better if Freddy was completely innocent. Would have been a perfect twist for this remake. Maybe elm st fans would not hate this film so much.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Oh, I can tell you from my experiences, they absolutely would’ve liked this movie more had it had the balls to stick to that twist.

[@roderick8167]

Yeah Nick I agree, when I first saw this in 2010 I really enjoyed it and it wasn't until later when I found out a majority of people hate this movie and I don't blame the majority of people this movie is bad very bad but people can't deny that there are some pros to this movie not a lot but some.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

I think the hate with this movie is largely manufactured. Is it great? Not at all. Is it terrible? Not at all. It’s somewhere in the middle

[@roderick8167]

@@TheLostRiverDriveIn this is exactly how I feel , I think this movie is just incredibly mid and there are so many other horror movies way worse than this one and some have even come out this year lol

[@dazz9881]

The original is my fave movie of all time, I hated the remake the way I imagine Halloween fans hated the Rob Zombie films (which I like, especially 2). I revisited it a few months ago, and the film was a decent time waster, though still a failure for me. I was surprised with how well the film begins, but sadly once it gets moving it progressively gets worse. I don't hate it anymore, but I'll never watch it again. Some things to improve for me: They should have followed through with Freddy being innocent and seeking revenge, they should have killed off Nancy (play by an obviously bored Rooney Mara) and made Katie Cassidy the lead as a way to subvert expectations and start fresh. This would also be a good call back to the original where Tina is expected to be our lead, everyone watching the remake would have assumed Nancy as the lead based on prior knowledge. A different director was needed, its style is 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' and I don't vibe with it, Alexandre Aja or Marcus Nispel would have been preferable at the time.

[@JohnDavis-cw6yv]

I don't think it's that bad. Yes, the cgi is awful and we don't get to know the kids, but I think Jackie took the role and made it his own.

[@robotjeans]

I really don't get the hate on this film, to each their own.

[@Stefan_Gerards]

Jackie Earle Haley did the best he could with what he was given, it was the script and CGI that really let him down. i'm not that big on the remake myself, i can take it or leave it, but his performance as Freddy was certainly nowhere near the list of problems the film had

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

He definitely deserved better. I’d happily take him back for another movie

[@mogens3556]

I honestly dont understand how anyone could look down on someone else just for liking a movie

[@gregmartin114]

Same should go for someone not liking it then

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

It does. It should always be that way. We’re all individuals who unique tastes (some may say poor taste lol).

[@waynebonner9749]

Even though I was VERY hesitant to,see.this film I eventually got round to it ... The film itself isn't that,bad, I quite enjoy it ... But I have a few issues -- the CGI being a big one, along with the dialogue which is terrible at times and the lead actress was awful ... I don't like.the direction they went with Freddy Krueger being more than just a child murderer, that,for me.was done for no other reason than shock value ... Jackie Earl Haley (I think that's it his full name) was good as Freddy he was just let down by,a,poor script ... Other than that - even though it will never compare.to the classic original - is still a watchable film and enjoyable if you.allow.it.to be

[@redheadben]

Do you have a Letterboxd account? 🙂

[@ajlegend7456]

My opinion on the remake. Jackie Earl Haley is my favorite part of the movie but he’s wasted because the script and direction gives him nothing to sink his teeth into. The NOES franchise always had a dark sense of humor and the lack of it makes this movie overly serious and kinda boring. Plus I don’t think the dream scenarios had any creatively at all. What makes this franchise memorable and stand of the test of time are the elaborate dream scenarios.

[@mrpebbles3904]

im not a fan of the remake but compared to other bad horror movies i have seen it really isnt that bad

[@gregmartin114]

Nightmare on Emo Street

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

I love this so much

[@bbutters2]

I didn't like this movie sans a few kills/scenes but I don't think it's that bad, it's just the fact that it's scares are based around Freddy being a p*dophile which I didn't find scary but just gross. Just my pointless 2 cents. Good day.

[@ParanormalFire]

While I don't like Freddy's Dead at all, at least is isn't bland and generic like this remake is. Jackie is awesome, I just wish Freddy had better makeup and his backstory either didn't change, or they make him fully innocent and his revenge is completely justified. He does have some great dark one liners though. I also hate the cgi and the amount of jump scares, which none of them are effective. All the characters outside of Katie Cassidy are so disposable and not fun to watch. I've tried so many times to find the potential diamond in the rough with this movie, but it just ain't there for me. 2/5

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Oh come on! Kyle Gallner is really good here! It should’ve been his movie, along with Katie. Rooney didn’t care at all

[@valeriebreidenstein8362]

​@@TheLostRiverDriveIn Agree with you there. Kyle Gallner really does a good job as Quentin (no wonder why Quentin is my fav NOES character).

[@chrisfawcett7942]

Not a big fan of this remake but I will say the poltergist and psycho and a few others are worse the actor playing Freddy is doing the best he can the actress of Nancy is definitely the worst to part for sure and the kills could have been more creative and the CGI looks terrible

[@jahdorose8659]

U didn't right not Jackie fault he was just getting paid on what to do with a crappy script

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Pretty much. But he did well

[@deathmetalelitist666]

I'm not a fan of this movie, but there are definitely worse movies out there

[@wickdaline8668]

It's better than Freddy's Dead.

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Yes it is lol

[@jahdorose8659]

Should be fun lol

[@BeyondTheGraveMedia]

There is def worse out there

[@TheTonyahawk]

Not unwatchable but definitely one of the worst movies I’ve seen, Jackie Earl Hailey was the best part 😎 and except for Rooney Mara the cast did a good job with what they were given 😎

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

One of the worst?! Ughhhhhhh

[@AlexReeder-fz9lj]

Jackie could have been a good Freddy if given a better script HORRIBLE Nancy bad CGI the other acting was fine doing classic scenes but SHITTY and done way better in the original Tina's death Freddy coming out of the wall his glove coming up through Nancy's bath tub pulling Nancy's mom through the wall done HORRIBLE in the remake as someone that Freddy is my second favorite slasher icon this movie could have been a good one if they did not just copy the original Jackie did have some good lines trying to get back to the dark and scary tone but in the end not worst of the franchise but still on the low end of my ranking

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

Everything they took from the original, is done much more poorly in this movie. They may as well have just not tried all those callbacks

[@Jaykilljoy-tt9tt]

I generally am against reboots. Only a few do I actually accept and enjoy; The fly. I love the original film and remake. The thing, The blob, Silent night...that's probably it. The fact is, those films are their own movies. I can watch Silent night deadly night, and Silent night and they are two totally different movies. The original The fly and the remake, both totally different movies. To me, A nightmare on elm street remake, the friday the 13th remake, and it looks like the TV series wants to remake the first 4 movies.....to me, it's like "WHAT IS THE POINT?!" and it also feels like a denial, disrepectful, and a total cash grab. YOUR DENYING that the original movies exist. That all the groundwork has already been set and we the fans LIKE IT AND ALREADY ACCEPT IT and your gonna DENY those films even exist?! It's also disrespectful to the original movies and the fans, and it's a total cash grab because you obviously DON'T CARE about the original franchise, otherwise....WHY ARE YOU REMAKING IT?! And I am talking specifically FRANCHISES. Not a single movie. Your also removing what made those films so special; their time and place and sorry but films SHOULD BE DATED. As bad as the predator and Alien franchises have become, at least none of those have had a remake yet....also....is it just me, or does it TAKE AWAY from the original film? Because what is the point of a remake?! Most people, including Rob Zombie BEFORE the did the Halloween remake said "Take a bad movie and make it good." So I am a fan of the ORIGINAL Friday the 13th movie.......you remake it. Now let's say it's actually good. I don't think the remake was good. It didn't have any of the 80's charm. The characters are boring. Didn't like the new Jason. But let's just say it was actually good.....well, then your messing with the fandom, aren't you?! Your making me think less of a franchise I had spent years loving and admiring. So ya.....JUST CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE, divorce it from the original films so I can watch and enjoy both SEPARATELY OR MAKE A SEQUEL. So I guess it's GOOD for me that I've disliked every remake, therefor not taking away my love for the original movie because "The remake did it better." But if it's not gonna be better or stand on it's own two feet, then what is the point? Again....original The fly vs The fly remake. I can enjoy BOTH and not come into those mental conflicts. Like, I am a big fan of Dawn of the dead, the original movie. I MIGHT actually give the remake a chance, IF it was not called Dawn of the dead. Silent night isn't called Silent night deadly night, and the films are divorced enough it barely qualifies as a remake and I get two completely different experiences from both films. So I enjoy them. So I am generally against remakes on principal, because I am a FAN OF THE ORIGINAL MOVIES and I won't stand for anything less. Want to do a Child's play remake?! M3GAN, there for you go. Don't make it LOOK like Chucky, don't call it child's play. Call it something else, do your own thing. I mean seriously.....WHY watch the remake when I can just watch the original film?! Also there is the "for a NEW generation"....here is the thing...I was born in 1987. I was 1 and then 2 years old when part 7 and 8 came out. I wasn't even alive yet when the first 6 films came out. Same with Nightmare on elm street and a ton of other films I am a fan of. Carrie is a perfect example. Carrie well before my time and I've always loved Carrie. Then Carrie 2 came out, it was a new carrie movie for my generation. I love The rage: Carrie 2. I really do...and here is the thing, they did their own thing and at the same time respected the original movie. They didn't REMAKE it, or reboot it or anything else. The rage: Carrie 2 totally respects the original movie in my opinion. "Oh Sue Snell has become the school guidance counselor 2 decades after the original movie." and the film acknowledges the first movie existed "That was 30 years ago" and there is this "Carrie White is related to Rachel who has the same powers". None of that TAKES AWAY from the original movie. I just don't see why they have to remake/reboot; deny the existence of the original franchises for a "new generation".....it would be like "Oh all those Star wars movies you grew up loving?! WE'RE GONNA BE REMAKING EVERY ONE OF THOSE." WHY?! Now I will say...I do prefer the 90's Tom Savini remake of Night of the living dead. Mainly because I am not a big fan of the original movie. I like it. it's a classic. The main reason why I like the remake over the original film is because of Barbara. Savini made her more of a bad ass in the remake then in the original where she wasn't as "final girl" as in the remake. So I really like that and prefer that, and Night of the living dead isn't as I guess sacred as other films and franchises. Also, I am not a big fan of the original Nightmare on elm street. My Nightmare films are 1-4, 5 as a guilty pleasure, with part 1 being the lowest of the 1-4. Wes Craven's films just always seemed to have something missing that left it from being a truly great film that I love. Scream being the exception. Scream is just feels great the entire film. So A nightmare on elm street 2 and 3 will always be my favorites of the franchise.

[@seansheridan123]

This remake could have been great Jackie earl haley was a fantastic Freddy three big negatives some of the cgi is not great Rooney Mara is okay I think her shitting on the movie colours people reception of her performance but no heather making Freddy a pedophile was not a wise choice although child killer child toucher he deserves to die either way and setting up Freddy being innocent would have been a fresh new take on the franchise but they don’t have the balls to pull it out Katie Cassidy and Kyle g are pretty good take or leave rest of the cast minus Clancy brown it’s scraps a three star rating it’s the weakest of the big three remakes but still decent not nearly as bad as people make out

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

I think her words definitely didn’t help, but as someone who’s seen her act her ass off, she clearly didn’t give her all here. She is capable of elevating a subpar script. She didn’t here

[@seansheridan123]

@@TheLostRiverDriveIn I only seen her in social network and the girl with the dragon tattoo she is a good actress but her issue was she clearly thought she was above horror or at least slashers look a lot of slashers are bad movies but show some respect or don’t sign up to the part Jamie Lee became big after Halloween but she never forgot where she started how many actors have got there start in horror Kevin bacon Johnny depp

[@jtatum1112]

The 5 Star reviews were funnier to me. I give it like 2/5. I think it's a pretty uncreative film with a miserable climax

[@larsmarcon2652]

It is kinda bad tho 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

It has some redeeming qualities. But it’s not great lol

[@jamesmorant1406]

Terrible remake CGI, the acting everything it was just a cash grab they didn't put any thought into it at all

[@robertchambers6344]

What they should do is, start from scratch. Hire unknowns. Have a real plan. And set it up for an actual trilogy. Not the wait and see approach.

[@robertchambers6344]

Okay so lets reboot the franchise. Lets get a solid actor. (Imo after Rorschach this was the perfect actor) Let's use the worst burn make up ever, let's basically reshoot the original film. And just to put the cherry on top, lets make him a full on pedophile.....and THAT is the main problem, you cannot make the killer a pedo and expect to create a franchise. Child killer, that works obviously hence the original series. There are some interesting moments, but again, poor CGI pulls you right out of the film. Most of the cast was pretty good too. Imo, a lame director, rushed script, a production nightmare from everything i read. And the final girl COMPLETELY MISCAST.

[@AlexReeder-fz9lj]

I still hate this movie

[@TheLostRiverDriveIn]

😢