SPOILER ALERT: This text comprises spoilers about “Concern Road: Promenade Queen,” now streaming on Netflix.

Rising up within the U.Ok., “Concern Road: Promenade Queen” director and co-screenwriter Matt Palmer wasn’t too acquainted with R. L. Stine’s teen horror novel sequence that launched the Netflix movie franchise. They’d “Goosebumps,” Stine’s extra in style sequence for youthful readers, however “Concern Road” hadn’t made as a lot influence throughout the pond.

Fortunately, Palmer was nonetheless approached to direct “Promenade Queen,” the fourth chapter within the “Concern Road” movie sequence, earlier than producers had cemented which of the ten titles that they had narrowed down to contemplate adapting subsequent. This e-book spoke to him, at the same time as he was effectively out of highschool.

“The concept was like, ‘What for those who tried to put in writing a teen film within the John Hughes mould — the youngsters have been in “The Breakfast Membership” — however there was a fucking maniac with an influence software working round?’ That was the start,” he says. “Additionally it felt like we may floor the film with the Lori (India Fowler) and Megan (Suzanna Son) characters. That’s the factor about slasher films: The characters can typically really feel like they’re simply serving a operate within the narrative. So when the risk comes right here, you’ve invested sufficient. However what if we have been extra invested within the characters proper from the get-go?”

Palmer was thrilled with the supply materials, but additionally completely happy to have Stine’s blessing to make modifications for the script. His first transfer was updating the dialogue to create characters that have been fleshed out in a extra modern method.

“It’s humorous as a result of we’re making a film that’s set prior to now, however on the similar time it must resonate with a contemporary viewers,” he says. “Within the e-book, the women speak about boys quite a bit, and I feel on this film women speak about one another much more, and it undoubtedly passes the Bechdel Take a look at.”

One other main change was the killer’s id, so even followers of the e-book can be stunned on the finish of the film. With the reveal that Dan and Nancy Falconer (Chris Klein and Katherine Waterston) have been killing to assist Tiffany (Fina Strazza) turn into promenade queen, the shock was solely amplified by the ultimate twist that Tiffany herself was additionally a homicidal maniac.

Palmer admits he had the imaginative and prescient for the ending early on, saying, “After I first pitched it to the producers, they mentioned ‘Who did it?’ and I mentioned, ‘These two individuals did it, and that is what the killer says: “Folks by no means keep in mind the main points, they solely keep in mind the winner.”‘ And so it was there proper from the very starting, which was good as a result of it made it simpler to put in writing as a result of we weren’t overthinking it — ‘These are the individuals who did it, and there’s one twist’ — once we’re writing.”

One surprising component is the movie’s transient mid-credits scene, the place blood from Nancy’s bashed-in head types a logo. Mentioned image is the Witch’s Mark, which comes into play within the earlier “Concern Road” trilogy as a name for demonic sacrifice.

Palmer says the easter egg was initially extra of a component within the movie.

“It’s left over from one other concept that was larger within the unique script, which was that the killers truly had been participating in a satanic follow to try to do the work that they do,” Palmer says. “They’d possibly been making an attempt to go a satanic path to do it, and having not managed to completely make that occur, went old fashioned and did it with no matter weapon was obtainable. Then there was a conception for there being a second film set in 1990 that might turn into a Satanic Panic film. We did have a look at probably weaving characters from the primary film and having a post-credit sequence too, however we wished to maintain the film quick and sharp.

“I wished to make a film that was below 90 minutes as a result of I really like horror films that are available after which do it and get out shortly,” he continues. “We ended up simply sticking to the story that’s being advised, however hopefully it opens the door a bit bit for the followers to hyperlink it to the primary films or probably provide you with theories for what this may imply. After which who is aware of? Perhaps that 1990 film may come alongside and will throw extra gentle on this mysterious easter egg on the finish.”

So is that this direct sequel to “Promenade Queen” prone to get made?

“Probably,” Palmer says. “However I additionally received to make an ’80s retro slasher, and within the ‘Concern Road’ universe. So I don’t need to be grasping. I might gladly return and play within the sandpit once more, however I’m additionally excited to see different administrators, as a result of the producers are on the lookout for filmmakers with imaginative and prescient and I’m excited to see what the long run brings for the franchise too.”

Watch the “Promenade Queen” trailer beneath.