Freddy's First Nightmare

Lore & Background

The narrative centers on Jesse Walsh, a teenager who moves into Nancy Thompson's former home and begins experiencing recurring nightmares about the dream demon. Unlike the first film where victims were killed while sleeping, this sequel introduces a possession element where Freddy merges with Jesse, manifesting in the real world. Specific moments include small fires occurring around the house, the spontaneous combustion of pet birds, and Freddy emerging from Jesse's body to kill Coach Schneider in the gym showers. The text notes that director Jack Sholder was chosen over Wes Craven because Craven found elements like a 'possessed parakeet' ridiculous and felt merging Freddy with a human would diminish his scare factor.

In Their Own Story

The plot follows Jesse Walsh, who discovers Nancy Thompson's diary detailing nightmares strikingly similar to his own. After being caught in a gay bar by Coach Schneider, Jesse is punished with laps until Schneider is killed by Freddy emerging from the gym showers. Jesse flees to his friend Ron Grady, confessing to the murder and asking to be watched while he sleeps; however, Freddy emerges to kill Grady. The entity then targets Lisa Webber at a pool party, slaughtering other guests before escaping. Lisa eventually confronts the fused entity in an abandoned factory where Freddy once worked. She pleads with Jesse to fight back and kisses him, causing Freddy to combust into ash from which Jesse emerges. The story concludes with a twist: while riding a bus to school, Freddy's clawed arm bursts through the chest of Lisa's friend Kerry, laughing as the bus drives into a field exactly as predicted in Jesse's initial nightmare.

Reader's Guide

Pre-production began in April 1985 with screenwriter Leslie Bohem pitching a 'homage to Rosemary's Baby' involving pregnancy and possession, which was rejected because executive Sara Risher was pregnant at the time; this concept later appeared in *A Nightmare on Elm Street 5*. Jack Sholder directed after realizing the project could 'put him on the map,' despite initially having 'no interest in making horror films.' Robert Englund's return was secured only after producers saw footage of an extra looking like a 'dimestore monster' during Schneider's death scene, obscured by steam. The film grossed $30 million domestically against a $3 million budget and was distributed by New Line Cinema. The score was composed by Christopher Young, featuring songs like 'Touch Me (All Night Long)' by Fonda Rae.

Did You Know?

• New Line Cinema initially planned to use an unnamed extra instead of Robert Englund for Freddy's Revenge but reversed the decision after seeing footage where the extra looked like a 'dimestore monster'.
• Wes Craven declined to direct the sequel because he found the idea of a 'possessed parakeet' ridiculous and felt that Freddy manifesting in real life would diminish his scare factor.
• The character of Lisa Webber was originally named Lisa Poletti in the script, with Wes Craven suggesting a shift in focus from Jesse to make the screen time 50-50 between them.
• Robert Shaye, head of New Line Cinema, wanted to play Ron Grady's father but was denied by director Jack Sholder; Shaye instead took the non-speaking role of the bartender at the S&M bar.