"Freddy's Nightmares" Rebel Without a Car (TV Episode 1988) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
3 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
The final minutes of the second story saves yet another average episode.
b_kite28 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This time around we have another young rebellious teen and the antics of his girlfriend. She is wanting to go off to college and start a normal respected life in Springfield. He isn't as smart, doesn't have the money and is content on working at the local burger joint and working as a mechanic on the side. One day he finds a abandoned run down late 60s model Chevrolet Camaro, and restores in to life. As usual the car begins to dominate his life and school, work, and his girl all become second. He also learns that the previous inhabitant died in it. Honestly there's nothing spectacular here and its pretty evident there just ripping off "Christine", but, the continued presence of the burned up zombified former driver make it fun, there's even a pretty sharp continuity reference to the second episode "It's a Miserable Life", as usual the ending isn't as strong and is a bit confusing. The second half deals with the teens girlfriend as usual, apparently he's dead so she's went to college and is trying to get into the local sorority, as guessed they have no plans of admitting her into the group and when she finds out its gonna be a rough night for them. This one starts out pretty boringly enough, with the usual college sorority antics, however it manages to redeem itself in the final five minutes as everything just goes nuts and it decides to turn into a straight up slasher with some nice blood and gore on display, once again the ending is a bit of a head scratcher, but, I honestly don't care those final minutes are fun and overall save what was destined to be another average episode.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
2/10
Creepy Review
mrjeremyleegreen19 November 2016
The Slaughter crazes of the nineteen eights was something to see. They where being pumped out cheep and quick and the audiences couldn't get enough. The eighties brought us Jason Voorhees, Chucky, Pinhead, and of course the wicked sandman himself Freddy Kruger.

Freddy's Nightmares came out in 88 at the height of Freddy- mania. Freddy was a superstar at this point. So Robert England Aka. Freddy Kruger would start hosting a weekly anthology show. Sadly no one was taking the show seriously. The pilot episode No more Mr nice guy was excellent and set the bar really high.

What we got after that was ridicules mind numbing garage. This episode falls into that category. Being about a boy who believe a car will make is life perfect. Then getting the car and finding out that may not be the case. I have done a full video review of this episode. I'll leave a link if you want to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvpPFr_Mr_M
0 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Hell on Wheels!
BeefyBoyGod11 August 2023
In "Rebel Without a Car," Freddy's Nightmares introduces us to the allure of a powerful, otherworldly automobile that exerts control over its owner's life. The episode weaves two distinct narratives, each capturing the struggle between individual desires and the macabre consequences that ensue when temptation is indulged. Directed by Jerry Ciccoritti, this installment combines elements of obsession, supernatural influence, and slasher horror.

The first half of the episode centers on a young, rebellious teenager and his girlfriend, who is determined to pursue a college education and a conventional life in Springfield. However, he finds solace in his job at the local burger joint and his mechanical skills as a side gig. The discovery of an abandoned, dilapidated late 60s Chevrolet Camaro ignites his passion for restoration, leading to a familiar tale of a car dominating a young man's life. While the premise mirrors Stephen King's "Christine," Freddy's Nightmares injects a unique twist - the spectral presence of the car's former deceased driver. This supernatural element adds a layer of intrigue and provides continuity with the series' previous episodes, connecting back to the burned-up figure from "It's a Miserable Life." Despite the episode's compelling premise, the ending lacks the punch needed to conclude the narrative satisfactorily.

The second half shifts focus to the teen's girlfriend, who seeks acceptance into a local sorority, Omega Kappa Pi. Her quest for membership takes a dark turn as the sorority's intentions become clear - an initiation night that is bound to test her limits. While the storyline initially treads familiar territory with college sorority dynamics, it takes an unexpected, thrilling twist in the final moments. The episode transforms into a slasher-style narrative, unleashing visceral gore and bloodshed that punctuates the series' horror elements. This unexpected shift revitalizes the viewing experience, elevating the episode from what could have been an average story into a more memorable and engaging one.

Throughout "Drive-In," there are clever continuity references that connect it to earlier episodes. Rick's mention of the Beefy Boy closing early due to a past shooting is a nod to "It's a Miserable Life," where the employee (the owner's son) is shot at the drive-thru during a nightmare sequence. These subtle touches serve as treats for avid viewers and contribute to the interconnectedness of the Freddy's Nightmares universe.

While "Rebel Without a Car" may have started with a conventional premise, its unexpected and gory climax saves it from being a run-of-the-mill episode. The juxtaposition of supernatural elements, themes of temptation, and a thrilling slasher twist combine to create an entertaining viewing experience. Despite the occasional stumbling points in the narrative, the episode showcases Freddy's Nightmares' ability to take familiar concepts and infuse them with creativity and unexpected thrills.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed