A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street Image
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Metascore
35 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.1 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 157 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara
  • Summary: Nancy, Kris, Quentin, Jesse and Dean all live on Elm Street. At night, they're all having the same dream--of the same man, wearing a tattered red and green striped sweater, a beaten fedora half-concealing a disfigured face and a gardener's glove with knives for fingers. And they're all hearing the same frightening voice...one by one, he terrorizes them within the curved walls of their dreams, where the rules are his, and the only way out is to wake up. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 25
  3. Negative: 10 out of 25
  1. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    70
    A fine copy.
  2. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    50
    Freddy simply isn't as scary as he used to be, even though Jackie Earle Haley, taking over from Robert Englund in the role, plays Krueger essentially straight, keeping the one-liners to a minimum.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    50
    By today's standards, it is only medium-bloody, though it's more than usually grim, its young protagonists sullen enough to qualify for the "Twilight" movies. Yet it affords precious little sadistic pleasure, partly because it "dares" to lay out more directly the pedophiliac demons plaguing Freddy the serial killer.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    38
    It's the Bay touch you feel in the way actors register as body count, characters go undeveloped, and sensation trumps feeling. A nightmare, indeed.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 80
  3. Negative: 30 out of 80
  1. Ivan1017
    9
    I don't know why this movie gets a lot of negativity. There was nothing wrong with it except that there were a lot of jump scare scenes. The acting was actually good but I prefer the one playing Kris to be Nancy. The humour was better than the original with those epic one liners like Jesse: Oh my God! Freddy: No just me. The visuals were impressive which I expect because Michael Bay is involved in this one. The origin of Freddy was very well explained too. Don't listen to the critics and those who say that this lacks humour or it's way too serious because you know your watching a horror not a comedy right.… Expand
  2. Rox22
    8
    Personally, I think this movie gets far too much negativity than it deserves. Is it better than the original? No. But how can it be. The original has now been put on such a high pedestal that everyone has forgotten all of its flaws. This movie is cursed with having to fill extremely large shoes that I doubt anyone could fill. Jackie Earle Haley is no where near as good as Robert Englund, but doesn't do a bad job either, Englund did have 7 movies to get it right after all. Overall: I think this is a great film and I really hope they continue with the series, I just hope that they listen to the fans a bit more for the next film.… Expand
  3. MetalMan95
    5
    I liked the gore, I liked the dark atmosphere, Jackie Earle Haley was awesome as Freddy. But honestly, It wasnt that enjoyable. the kids acted the best when they died. Its ok, its not great, i didnt hate it, but it wasnt the greatest remake. Its way better than th Friday the 13th remake, but it wasnt anywhere near The Crazies remake.… Expand
  4. grandpajoe6191
    4
    A remake horror movie that's worst than "Friday the 13th" (Remake version). It sure did give me 'nightmares'.

See all 80 User Reviews

Trailers

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