THE FIRST NAME IN TERROR RETURNS…

Teenager Jesse Walsh (Mark Patton) has strange dreams about a monstrous man and can feel how he’s falling under the man’s spell.

This sequel imitates the original in many ways, but what makes it stand apart is its (sometimes less than) subtle gay subtext. There’s even a visit to a gay bar; Patton essentially plays the traditionally female part that we know so well from slasher movies. Unfortunately, he’s less engaging than Robert Englund who’s very charismatic as Freddy Krueger.

Still, entertaining most of the time, with creative, absurd horror effects.

1985-U.S. 84 min. Color. Directed by Jack Sholder. Cast: Mark Patton (Jesse Walsh), Kim Myers (Lisa Webber), Robert Rusler (Ron Grady), Clu Gulager, Hope Lange, Marshall Bell, Robert Englund. 

Trivia: Wes Craven was offered to direct, but declined; Michael J. Fox was reportedly considered for the lead. Englund can be seen in the opening scene, without makeup, as a bus driver. Followed by A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987).