A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master introduced fans to a brand-new final girl in Lisa Wilcox’s Alice Johnson. So all its sequel had to do is build on that character and her story to keep that momentum going. But does A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child deliver a winner?

David Rosen of Piecing It Together joins us to discuss how the Stephen Hopkins-directed film taps into the primal fears of impending parenthood, whether its bleaker edge fits at this point in the franchise, and why this less-talked-about installment might hold the key to rebirthing the series.

Join us as we delve into A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, examining how it breaks tradition regarding its tonal balance, character arcs and visual palette. So tuck in for a night of reflection as we contemplate how this fifth entry affected the longevity of this iconic series.

Thanks to A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, Freddy Krueger became as popular as ever. The Springwood Slasher was suddenly a household name, leading to an increased focus on his macabre sense of humor. The result is the entry often known as the “MTV Nightmare.”

Kevin the Critic returns to the show to discuss director Renny Harlin’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. We’ll discuss which lessons it learns from its predecessor, how it shifts focus to a new final girl and why one particular sequence is undeniably the Kill of the Week.

Join us as we dissect A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master’s legacy as — for better or worse — a turning point. The highest-grossing entry until Freddy vs Jason, this one isn’t as discussed as others. But let’s tumble into a nightmarish wonderland with our own Alice (Lisa Wilcox).

After the mixed reception to A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, the franchise turned to series creator Wes Craven and original star Heather Langenkamp. As our eight-part Freddy-led mega-series continues, we arrive at 1987’s fan-favorite A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.

Podcaster Deanna Chapman joins us to discuss how director Chuck Russell’s installment serves as a pivotal entry in Freddy Krueger’s saga. We’ll discuss why the movie is so beloved by fans, how it soft-resets the series’ focus, and how it uses supernatural threats to tap into real-life psychological horrors.

So join us as we delve into A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. We’ll explore the film’s innovative special effects, its dynamic characters, and how it turned the tables on Freddy, giving the Elm Street children a fighting chance. It’s an episode you won’t want to sleep through.