They had no idea on what direction to take this franchise.

That much is clear. This film feels so random in the context of the franchise.

Praise the heavens for A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors which paved the way for what an ANOES film would be.

- The first is an introduction to the concept. A straight horror film.
- This film is some weird possession, gay thing.
- The Dream trilogy (Warriors, Master & Child) is the ANOES standard. An expansion upon the original concept. Granted they became progressively sillier and lesser but they feel very cohesive. They hit a stride and knew what they were doing.
- Freddy's Dead was a goofy film to wrap things up as the Box Office returns were dwindling. Had a 3D gimmick to boot.
- New Nightmare was Craven being meta. An interesting concept. Almost a standalone film.
- Freddy vs Jason was a popcorn crossover.
- The remake was a generic late 00s era rehash of the original.