“FREDHEADS,” The “Nightmare on Elm Street” Documentary You’ve Been Waiting For!

When I think about the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series, my favorite horror franchise of all time, many things come to mind.  Freddy Kruger’s iconic silhouette,  the haunting musical theme, the spectacular dream sequences, and the camaraderie of the characters who are forced to be proactive in the fight against evil. I also think of this monstrosity of a DVD cover. For those unfamiliar, “Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge” doesn’t feature this look for Freddy Kruger, nor does it feature a house that looks ANYTHING like the one featured on this cover.  It’s not even set on a farm! 

That, in a nutshell, is how I think of the franchise: an underrepresented treasure trove that doesn’t have the scholarship or appreciation that it deserves. Aside from the first film, where are the commentaries and blu-ray special editions?  Why does 99.9% of the series licensing revolve around ONLY Freddy? A new documentary explores these questions, while giving voice to the people who love everything about the series.

Kim Gunzinger (Left) and Paige Troxell (Right), and a whole lot of Freddy behind them.

“Fredheads: The Documentary '' arrives from filmmakers and Elm Street super-fans Kim Gunzinger and Paige Troxell.  The co-directors spent years honing this love letter to the films and the people who have been affected by them. Sure, it has the usual staples of horror appreciation docs, such as actor interviews, cosplay, and visiting locations from the films, but Troxell and Gunzinger have something more personal in mind.

A good portion of the footage was captured at various horror cons, which includes testimonials from fans about when they first saw these films and how they shaped their lives.  People share stories both touching and hilarious, while also showing off their collections. Full disclosure: I appear in it, too, but how could I not jump at the chance to talk about “Nightmare on Elm Street” when it’s hard to find people near me who aren’t dismissive of the series?

“Fredheads” is a sprawling, comprehensive look at an underserved fandom.  It’s a fitting companion piece to a film series about outsiders banding together to survive their personal nightmares. And to complain about awful dvd case art.

“Fredheads” is coming soon. Look for updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @FredHeadsDoc.