A Nightmare on Elm Street Review

Messages: The primary themes here are vengeance, denial, and fear. In flashbacks, it is suggested that Freddie Krueger is a child molester. Rather than alerting the authorities, the parents of his victims hunt him down and kill him. Returning through dreams and nightmares, Freddie then takes his revenge by hunting and killing the children, now teenagers.

Role models: Though the teens are problem solvers, constantly searching for ways to save their lives and the lives of their friends, their parents are basically vigilantes -- and clearly Freddy's no role model.

Violence: The movie contains tons of horror violence, including throat-slashing, body-slashing, body-slamming, cigarette lighter-burning, face-slashing, burning bodies, car crashes, eye-stabbing, and severed hands. Additionally, we see plenty of terrifying nightmare imagery, such as a girl sinking into a lake of blood. This movie also hints that, in his past life, Freddie Krueger was a child molester, although nothing is actually shown or overtly mentioned.

Sex: No nudity or sex, but two teens are seen lying in bed together, and two other teens share a kiss. Teen girls are shown wearing tight, sexy clothing from time to time. Freddie occasionally makes some sexual remarks aimed at the teen girls.

Language: At least nine uses of "f--k" (in various forms), and at least four uses of "s--t" (in various forms). Additionally, we hear "bitch," "pissed," "hell," "asshole," "Jesus," and "God" as exclamations.

Consumerism: Characters use the "Gigablast" Internet search engine more than once. A character quickly drinks a Red Bull in one shot.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Teens drink coffee to stay awake. One teen takes a prescription drug, which he describes as "basically speed for kids with ADD." Later, he steals epinephrine (adrenaline) from a hospital cart and injects both himself and another teen.