A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 - The Dream Master (1988)
Average Rating: 5.3/10
Reviews Counted: 27
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 12
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 3
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 228,083
My Rating
Movie Info
This fourth trip down Freddy Lane was the most successful at the box-office, but although it has some impressive visuals, it is mostly an empty film. Credit must go to the effects team for some fine work, but otherwise, this entry from the director of Cutthroat Island (Renny Harlin) is extremely weak. Roland Kincaid falls asleep and awakens in the Springwood junkyard, where his dog -- named "Jason" in a sad foreshadowing of the film's giggly tone -- pees fire on Freddy's grave. The pyro-urinary
Aug 19, 1988 Wide
Aug 21, 2001
Media Home Entertainment
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Robert Englund
Freddy Krueger -
Lisa Wilcox
Alice -
Rodney Eastman
Joey -
Danny Hassel
Danny -
Andras Jones
Rick -
Tuesday Knight
Kristen -
Ken Sagoes
Kincaid -
Toy Newkirk
Sheila -
Brooke Theiss
Debbie -
-
Nicholas Mele
Johnson -
-
Linnea Quigley
Soul from Freddy's Ches... -
Brooke Bundy
Elaine -
Hope Marie Carlton
Pin Up Girl -
Duane Davis
Jock -
Joanna Lipari
Nurse -
L.E. Moko
Lecturer -
Mickey Yablans
Buddy in Locker Room -
John Beckman
Coach -
Richard Garrison
Doctor -
Jacquelyn Masche
Joey's Mom
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All Critics (27) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (12) | DVD (8)
Consistently watchable and inventive.
Robert Englund, receiving star billing for the first time, is delightful in his frequent incarnations as Freddy, delivering his gag lines with relish and making the grisly proceedings funny.
While some of the monotonous effects are strikingly surreal, Harlin's direction creates an atmosphere which is more morbid than scary.
Top CriticThough the Elm Street series contains the most intelligent premise in current genre films, none of the movies take much advantage of their potential.
As always, the teen actors are disposable, and even Robert Englund seems to be sleepwalking through Freddy.
The lesser of the "Nightmare" sequels, but serviceable more surreal one nevertheless...
...an obvious low point within this incredibly uneven series.
Surprisingly watchable for the third sequel and despite its general predictability it's entertainingly inventive.
With each entry, the films become more removed from their source. Freddy just isn't scary anymore.
Not counting 1994's Wes Craven's New Nightmare, it's superior to all the other later sequels in the series.
Fun, but not a shade on the earlier Elm Street flicks
The new comedy version of Freddy...
As the series drags on, the inventiveness of murders decreases slightly but Freddy's humor continues to entertain.
The Dream Master has a sort of constant level of goofy idiocy.
Bottomless grab-bag from the 80s TV subconscious, riffing on Jaws, Karate Kid, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, with a palette that would make Joel Schumacher queasy
Renny Harlin's finest moment. That should tell you something.
Not much to see here except for the occasional '80s big hairdo and some decent gore shots.
A good sequel in the series directed by trash auteur Renny Harlin with just the right flair.
Audience Reviews for A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 - The Dream Master
Super Reviewer
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- Kincaid: See you in Hell!
- Freddy Krueger: Tell them Freddy sent you [kills Kincaid] 1, down, 2 to go.
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- Freddy Krueger: Welcome to Wonderland, Alice.
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- Freddy Krueger: How's this for a wet dream?
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- Freddy Krueger: You can check in, but you can't check out.
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- Freddy Krueger: If the food don't kill ya, the service will.
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- Freddy Krueger: (after killing Kincaid) One down. Two to go.
Discussion Forum
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Latest News on A Nightmare on Elm Street 4 - The Dream Master
April 26, 2010:
A Nightmare on Tim's Street: Day 4The Dream Master is the most perfunctory, pointless entry in the franchise yet, a dull,...
January 31, 2008:
Platinum Dunes, New Line Announce Plans for New Nightmare on Elm StreetIn a move that should surprise no one, New Line has announced a partnership with Michael Bay's...
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Comments that this is more video game than movie are fair, but the effects are pretty well done in a cheesy 80's way. This coming from someone who isn't generally impressed by effects.
The waterbed scene alone is excellent. And kind of funny.