Among the myriad entries in the series, “Dream Warriors” stands out as a personal favourite. This spine-tingling instalment not only brings back the iconic Heather Langenkamp as Nancy but also keeps the nightmarish Robert Englund in the role of Freddy Krueger.
“Dream Warriors” picks up the haunting tale where the original “Nightmare on Elm Street” left off, with Nancy all grown up and now a seasoned psychiatrist specializing in the realm of dream therapy. Her path crosses with a group of young patients at the hospital where she works, each grappling with the malevolent dream demon, Freddy Krueger. Among them is Kristen, possessing the unique ability to draw others into her nightmarish dreams. With Nancy’s guidance, these young dream warriors discover their extraordinary talents within the twisted landscape of Freddy’s domain.
This particular instalment marked the point where the series injected a dose of dark humour, courtesy of Freddy himself. His unforgettable one-liners, especially during confrontations with the dream warriors, added a new dimension to his character. Yet, “Dream Warriors” never loses its grip on the eerie and unsettling, exemplified by the haunting imagery of Phillip being manipulated like a marionette, teetering on the precipice of a towering abyss—a lasting, bone-chilling image that continues to haunt audiences over two decades later.
“Dream Warriors” also earned its place in horror history with the introduction of a theme song, “Dream Warriors,” crafted by the metal group Dokken. This infectious tune, complete with an intro that evokes the eerie essence of a “Nightmare on Elm Street” movie, remains an unforgettable part of the franchise’s legacy.
To me, “Nightmare on Elm Street 3” stands as one of the series’ most formidable entries, boasting stellar special effects, unforgettable lines, and scenes that etch themselves into your memory. It’s undoubtedly one of those rare gems in the franchise that you can actively seek out and enjoy. Who knows, perhaps on Halloween night, you might just find yourself paying an unexpected visit to the man of your dreams.
5, 6 get a crucifix
7, 8 better stay up late
9, 10 never sleep again…
Five fun facts about Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
(1) The legendary Freddy glove, pilfered from the set of this film, had a surprise cameo in another movie – it made a cameo appearance hanging on the wall of the work shed in “Evil Dead II” (1987), released the same year. This glove exchange was part of an ongoing playful rivalry between directors Wes Craven and Sam Raimi, a cinematic banter that spans across “The Evil Dead” (1981), “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), and “Evil Dead II” (1987).
(2) Initially, the film’s premise envisioned Freddy infiltrating the real world to haunt the actors and crew responsible for the “Nightmare on Elm Street” films. This intriguing concept, however, was rejected by the studio. Interestingly, Wes Craven later resurrected and executed this idea in “New Nightmare” (1994).
(3) During the scene where Freddy meets his endearing victim, Jennifer, his original scripted line was: “This is it Jennifer, your big break on TV!” Robert Englund adhered to this line for the first two takes. However, on the third take, he spontaneously improvised with the iconic line: “Welcome to Prime Time, bitch!” Director Chuck Russell found both versions captivating and cleverly edited them together.
(4) Jennifer Rubin, who portrayed Taryn, received heartfelt messages from fans who credited her character with inspiring them to break free from drug addiction. The actress takes immense pride in this impact her character had on viewers.
(5) In the VHS release, viewers were treated to the music video for Dokken’s “Dream Warriors” after the credits rolled. This video seamlessly weaved together scenes from the movie, culminating in the band’s heroic vanquishing of Freddy, prompting him to wake up from his nightmare and quip, “Who were those guys?”
