A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge is arguably the gayest horror movie ever made. Perhaps it was unintentional, but you can’t deny that a movie where Freddy Krueger spends the entire running time trying to get inside a teenage boy is a little extremely homoerotic. Freddy’s Revenge has sort of become the red-headed stepchild of the franchise. When looking at public opinion, it seems to rank way down there with Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare. Tyler Jensen’ new documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street aims to take a look at the reception of the film back in 1985 and today, as well as the gay subculture in Hollywood during the 1980s.

As a gay man myself, I find the subject of this documentary extremely fascinating. I was born in 1989, so by the time I came out in 2005 “being gay” was already becoming more mainstream (though in the area of Texas I grew up in it wasn’t that mainstream). I can’t imagine what it was like for Patton, trying to make it as an actor in the 80s while also having to hide his sexuality. I have a lot of respect for the man, and he was kind enough to offer some kind words in the Facebook comments of a personal piece I wrote back in May). This is an important film for the horror community, and I hope it gets funded so that everyone can see it.

The Kickstarter has a modest goal of $49,000 (to be reached by October 21st), and as of this writing has already reached $3,188 of that goal. I’ve pledged a small amount, as I would love to see this documentary and hear Patton tell his story. If you would like to donate to help fund the film, head on over to its Official Kickstarter Page and donate! You can also watch the trailer for the film below.

From the Official Kickstarter Page:

This is not your typical Nightmare On Elm Street documentary. Whether you’re a horror fan or a gay advocate, Scream, Queen! has something to offer to everyone. We delve into a deeper subject of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 that has been at the forefront for years, yet no one has fully explored. This is a story not just about Mark Patton, the star of A Nightmare On Elm Street 2, but about Hollywood’s gay subculture in the 1980s. For months we have been following Mark Patton around getting intimate accounts of how the backlash of NOES2 has deeply affected his life. From its release in 1985, fans and critics have raised an eyebrow at the not-so-subtle hints of Jesse Walsh’s sexuality. Did this create the whirlwind of questions that set the film so far apart from all the others in its series? Village Voice publication was the first to officially comment on the film’s gay subtext, releasing a landslide of both good and bad commentary from fans and critics worldwide. In 1985 being gay in Hollywood could cost you your career. Now 30 years later, Scream, Queen! is asking why?

Interviews with celebrities, film historians and fans allow Scream, Queen! to bring audiences a deeper understanding of the social atmosphere when A Nightmare On Elm Street 2 was released in 1985. The film explores the wide range of reactions elicited by the controversial movie – and how those reactions compare to those of today’s audiences.

This year marking the 30th anniversary of the release of A Nightmare On Elm Street 2, we were able to capture the reunion of the entire cast and listen in on their candid panel discussion. This exclusive footage will be especially valuable to fans of NOES2.