In 1984, Wes Craven brought to life one of the best horror villains in the history of horror cinema. A character that was so frightening because he attacked when you while you slept, the time in which you were your most relaxed and vulnerable. This character, of course, was Freddy Krueger, and the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise that the original slasher film spawned is something that has endured for years.

It has gone from slasher film, to campy fun. Moved from the trippy movie within a movie concept of New Nightmare, to a crossover with Jason Vorhees from Friday the 13th franchise in Freddy vs Jason. Now though, 26 years after the original Nightmare, New Line has gone ahead and created a remake / reboot of the Freddy Krueger revenge franchise.

How was the final result? Better than I had thought it would be.

Before I talk about anything relating to the plot and horror action, the most important piece of this remake is obviously how well the part of Freddie Krueger is performed. Jackie Earle Haley, who had previously wowed viewers with his portrayal of Rorschach in the Watchmen movie, has taken on the monumental task of playing the razor fingered murderer who was made legendary by the fantastic Robert Englund.

Englund’s decades of work as Freddie were marked by a terrifyingly calculated murderer, who had a wicked sense of humor that took delight in his victim’s pain and suffering. Haley definitely is able to get the calculated murder aspect of Krueger, and even has some time to derive enjoyment out of the pain he inflicts. The sense of humor though doesn’t have as much time to shine in this installment, but that really doesn’t detract from the performance. Haley does a very good job of trying to make the audience and characters question whether he is the pedophile that the story says he is, or if he was an innocent man that was wronged by vigilante justice. The makeup work done on his face is absolutely fantastic and gives a more modern / realistic take on the burning that Freddy takes at the hands of the town’s parents.