Fantastic Fest 2019: SCREAM QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

It’s the classic Hollywood story. A promising and pretty young actor gets his big break in one of the most popular film franchises of all time. But, what happens when things don’t go as planned and the dream becomes a nightmare?

In Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street, former-actor Mark Patton allows a very intimate look into his life and the challenges he faced after landing a starring role as horror’s very first male “Scream Queen” in the 1985 sequel the the iconic A Nightmare on Elm Street, Freddy’s Revenge. The role that was supposed to launch this promising young talent to superstardom has gone down in history as being “the gayest horror film ever made” and would change the course of Patton’s life, forever. The documentary brings into conversation queerness in cinema (and in society and large), the specific queerness of Freddy’s Revenge, as well as Patton’s experience as a closeted gay actor confronting Hollywood homophobia and the long-term impact that the role has had in his life.

The film is directed by Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen and will enjoy its World Premiere at the 2019 Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX. Fantastic Fest will be celebrating its 15^th year as the largest genre film festival in the United State. In addition to specializing in the popular genres of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, the festival proudly champions thought-provoking and innovative cinema.

Mark Patton in Larger Context

Horror, as a genre, has always been one of the most honest reflections of the current culture through the lens of cinema. Horror films speak to the themes and anxieties that plague a particular society, as well as the ideals and expectations. Gender, in particular, is a focal point within horror films. Consider concepts like the “Final Girl” and the trope of teen sex practically guaranteeing death before the credits roll. Horror films, especially within the slasher peak of the 80s, reflect women as vulnerable and then relying on masculine traits to overcome the dangers they face. This is the essence of the Final Girl.

However, when Mark Patton stepped into the cultural role of the Final Girl and Scream Queen he uncovered the idea that audiences could not reconcile a male lead going through the same experience. Freddy’s Revenge was released at the peak of AIDS hysteria and a greater societal witch-hunt being leveled at homosexuals. The film’s gay overtones unsettled audiences more than Freddy’s gore and Mark Patton, a closeted gay actor, carried the blame and consequences for that.

In the film, we come to know Patton as this poster child for missed potential. He had grown up, knowing he was gay, and played to his interests and this would lead him to success on Broadway. For many actors at the time, a horror lead was the threshold of stardom, a rite of passage that was sure to mean an ascent to greatness. Patton eagerly crossed the threshold but the result was not the same. He was labeled as incapable of playing it straight. He was told he had to butch up or get out of the game. His rocket ship to the stars exploded at takeoff.

From the safety of the “woke era” of 2019, it’s difficult to imagine the lives of those who had to abandon their sense of self not just out of ambition but safety. The film comprehensively summarizes that era in a way that goes beyond the top news stories but spells out the emotional impact on a group of people. Most effectively, it shows that cinematic lens being turned onto these issues and magnifying it to great benefit… or detriment.

Doing What’s Best for You

Early on in the film, Patton details what it was like to work alongside Cher in a Broadway production and recalls her words of wisdom: “In show biz, always do what’s best for you.” At the time, it was unlikely that he realized that what would be best is to leave the glitz and ambition of Hollywood behind. After the fallout of his Freddy’s Revenge, Patton lost loved ones and his drive to be on the big screen and went into hiding for 30 years.

Following the definitive Elm Street documentary, Never Sleep Again, Patton returned to the spotlight in the role of activist and star. With a new appreciation for fans of the now cult-classic and the intention of being a positive presence in the LBGTQ+ community, Patton takes a very active role in the horror convention community and has come to embrace the opportunity his part affords him.

The Scream Queen, Himself

Watching the film, one can easily see Mark Patton joining the likes of Fred Rogers and Bob Ross in the annals of wholesomeness. There’s a sweetness and innocence about him that leaves one feeling like there’s some part of the dreamy youth that will not leave him. To hear him account the rise and fall of his journey, he speaks eloquently and with restrained emotion. An individual like that is rare and it’s a privilege to explore his world in this way.

A primary point of the film is Patton’s belief that the film’s writer David Chaskin blamed the film’s obvious gay subtext on Patton’s performance and, therefore, made him the scapegoat for the film’s unsuccessful opening. Seeing that confrontation finally happen and the quiet understanding of how time has passed and can’t be undone is equal parts relieving and heartbreaking. Again, the thesis of this film is a love letter to missed potential.

Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street is the kind of documentary you wait all year to see. The film is well researched and paints a broader picture, beyond its tender-hearted subject. It could stand tall as a fantastic documentary on both horror and Americana during the peak of the AIDS crisis. History and background blend seamlessly with heartfelt stories. One could not ask for a more fascinating and lovable subject than Mark Patton. Well done and bow before your Queen.

How well do you remember Patton’s performance in Freddy’s Revenge? Let us know in the comments!