New Doc Celebrates ‘Nightmare 2’ Actor And Cult Status

Actor Mark Patton in a scene from the original film, "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge." This sequence is featured in the documentary, "Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street." / Photo Courtesy of New Line Cinema

The new documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street is a surprising film that is part the remarkable life story of actor Mark Patton and part a celebration of the film that has become his claim to fame, Nightmare on Elm Street 2.

The second movie of the NOES franchise, which turns 35 in November, was a hit in 1985, despite mixed reviews. It quickly grew a following for its clearly homoerotic imagery and theme of homosexual suppression and awakening.

Patton was not completely out of the closet — and couldn’t be — back in 1980s Hollywood, and for years the movie poisoned his acting career. But over time, its growing cult status, particularly in the LBGTQ community, slowly turned that around.

His tale of real-life survival is harrowing, but ultimately uplifting and a hidden gem of a documentary that Elm Street, slasher and film history fans can all enjoy.

“Scream, Queen!” is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and VUDU streaming services. 

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