Scream review

SCREAM:

FIFTH OUTING CONTINUES THE FORMULA OF SLASHER VIOLENCE AND META-HUMOR WITH A THOUGHT-PROVOKING “STAB” AT EXTREME FANDOMS! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

PARAMOUNT PICTURES

The Ghostface Killer returns to town in Scream

 

            Ghostface is back for another killing spree in Scream, the fifth installment of the popular horror franchise of the same name that began 25 years ago with the late Wes Craven’s groundbreaking hit that was arguably one of the first slasher/horror movies to be extremely self-aware of the genre’s tropes. The film also continues with Hollywood’s stupid gimmick of giving a horror movie sequel the exact same title as the first film, Halloween (2018), Candyman (2021), The Final Destination, The Predator, etc. to the point where even the film itself mocks this cliché. 

            Before we dive into this new film, I’m going to share my thoughts on the previous films, while I’m not big on the slasher genre that much, I really enjoy the first Scream from 1996 because of how it can blend slasher violence and self-aware humor while pointing out the tropes and clichés of the genre in a very loose, tongue in cheek way. The second film released only a year after the first I think is a very solid follow-up as it goes even further with its meta-humor right down to there actually being movies about the first film’s events in its universe, third one I’m not a big fan of and is definitely the weakest of the film, but it has its moments, and the fourth film released in 2011 I actually watched for the first time a couple years ago and thought it was pretty decent, though not quite on par with Scream or Scream 2. 

            Enough build-up let’s finally talk about Scream (2022), which marks the first film in the series not to be directed by Wes Craven due to his passing in 2015 and is instead helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not) and revolves around a new group of people being attacked by the Ghostface Killer with the original characters in supporting roles (Sounds a lot like a certain sequel trilogy that everyone loves!). I can gladly say that where Halloween Kills misses its mark, Scream (2022) sticks the landing with the best film in the series since Scream 2. 

            The basic set-up is more of the same, mysterious killer wearing a Ghostface costume going on a killing spree and the kills are all connected to a victim’s past while taunting them over the phone, and the survivors have to figure out who it is and pay attention to the rules of surviving a horror movie and satire of Hollywood’s over-reliance on franchises. However, the film also takes a “Stab” at toxic fandoms, which is extremely timely unless you’ve been living under a rock when the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the female Ghostbusters reboot were released, makes fun of dumb Hollywood gimmicks (Stab 8 just being called Stab and is the most despised by fans…sounds familiar!), references elevated horror like The Witch, Hereditary, or The Babadook and discuss how the genre has changed over the years because of those films, and on top of that, has a gripping mystery that kept me guessing. 

            Set 25 years after the events of the first film, a new killer in Woodsboro dons the Ghostface costume and targets Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera-In the Heights) and her sister, Tara (Jenna Ortega-Insidious: Chapter 2, You, Studio 666), both of whom are connected to the events that occurred in Woodsboro all those years ago. Sam and Tara enlist the help of retired police sheriff, Dewey Riley (David Arquette-Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Wild Bill, Eight Legged Freaks), news reporter, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox-Friends, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective), and the original victim, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell-Party of Five, The Craft, Wild Things) to find out who the killer is and stop him/her before he/she strikes again. 

            The film also stars Jack Quaid (The Boys, Vinyl, Star Trek: Lower Decks) as Richie, Dylan Minnette (Let Me In, Goosebumps, Don’t Breathe) as Wes, Mason Gooding (Booksmart, Let It Snow, Love, Victor) as Chad Meeks-Martin, Jasmin Savoy Brown (The Leftovers, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Sound of Violence) as Mindy Meeks-Martin, Mikey Madison (Better Things, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Addams Family (2019)) as Amber Freeman, model and singer, Sonia Ben Ammar as Liv McKenzie, Marley Shelton (Pleasantville, Sin City, Grindhouse) reprising her role from Scream 4 as Sheriff Deputy Judy Hicks, Kyle Gallner (Veronica Mars, The Haunting in Connecticut, Jennifer’s Body) as Vince Schneider, Heather Matarazzo (The Devil’s Advocate, Saved!, Hostel: Part II) as Martha Meeks, and Roger L. Jackson (The Powerpuff Girls) reprising his role as the voice of Ghostface. 

            Overall, Scream (2022) is a bloody good time for fans of the series and will likely take you back to when you first watched the 1996 original. The film does an excellent job recreating the feel of the first film from its tone, opening scene reminiscent to the famous/infamous Drew Barrymore intro, and the climax takes place in the same house Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, the original killers lived in. 

            The movie also satirizes toxic fandoms, which let’s be honest is a very relevant topic and the fictional Stab movie franchise is basically this universe’s Star Wars…if Star Wars was a slasher film series. It shows just how dangerous it can be for fans to go to these extreme lengths for the sake of their fandom, the Stab movies have gotten so manufactured and recycled, they work best when they’re based on a true story…you can pretty much figure out where this goes. 

            Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette are still great as their iconic characters, though they aren’t the main focus this time. Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega as Sam and Tara are extremely likable and are the heart and soul of the film, you feel this strong sisterly bond between them and you want to see them stop the killer and survive, this is what makes Scream work, it’s a slasher but it never forgets about compelling characters or a good story. 

            The plot itself is your typical Scream story, but the mystery of who the killer is kept me guessing all throughout the film. I had a few possible hunches as I was watching it, but by the end it completely took me by surprise, I’m not going to say who it is, but let’s just say the reveal will make you want to bash the person’s face in with a can of dog food. 

            Yeah, in case you couldn’t tell, I had a really good time with Scream (2022) AKA Scream 5, it gave me everything I enjoy about the previous films while also updating the formula and throwing a few surprises and twists in along the way. This is one phone call from Ghostface you’ll definitely want to answer.