New York: The city that never sleeps

Set a year after Scream (2022), half-sisters Tara (Jenna Ortega) and Sam (Melissa Barrera) move from Woodsboro to Big Apple alongside fellow survivors Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown). They hope to finally escape their past, move forward and enjoy their lives. However, it seems that dread and murder find them wherever they go. Soon after their arrival, a series of brutal murders happen, inspired by Ghostface, the Stab movies and everything that has to do with it. Someone is continuing the work of the likes such as Billy Loomis, Roman Bridger, Jill Roberts and Stu Macher and again, the “core four,” as the group calls themselves, fear for their lives.

However, with Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and former classmate/now FBI detective Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), they decide to try and get rid of Ghostface once and for all, but during Halloween night, New York is full of people in Ghostface costumes. Will they be able to find the real killer and bring him to justice?

The perfect combination of nostalgia and modern aspects

When watching Scream VI, it’s clear that this movie wants to honour its predecessors in the best way possible. Think of the massive shrine the killer has set up, Mindy’s monologue about the different elements of a horror slasher movie and the many subtle and not-so-subtle mentions of horror classics. But it’s not all about tradition in this movie. No, by swapping Woodsboro for New York, the filmmakers can use brand-new ideas. A bigger city, more people, and more potential victims all lead to a more inventive, bloodier and funnier film.

While the ‘core four’ certainly has more fun in this movie, they can’t fully enjoy it because Ghostface is always right behind them. With a higher population, the Big Apple is the perfect playground for Ghostface and directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (Ready or Not, Devil’s Due) and Tyler Gillett (V/H/S, Ready or Not). This is highlighted during the subway scene and the bloody and adrenaline-fueled climax. We even dare to say that Scream VI might have the best opening scene since the first movie. We don’t see much of Samara Weaving (The Babysitter, Babylon), but she undoubtedly impacts with her strong performance. 

A new environment, the same old great performances

Speaking of solid performances, both Barrera (In the Heights, Carmen) and Ortega (X, The Fallout) absolutely carry this movie. You might not have liked Sam in Scream (2022), but we’re confident you will change your mind when watching this film. Ghostface having even more rage and a sharper tongue and knife ensures that Sam has to step up her game, and Barrera does that. Her fierce, strong and clever performance ensures you will sympathize and root for Sam.

Barrera’s on-screen sisterhood with Ortega is extremely powerful. This is also because Ortega is in top form. After being stuck in the hospital for most of the previous film, she now gets to shine, and that’s precisely what she does! She’s finally allowed to have fun, stab around and bring out the badass in her. Do we have a new scream queen on her hands? Maybe not, cause Tara still feels a bit underdeveloped.

Because Sidney Prescott didn’t return to this movie, Gale Weathers gets a lot more screen time, and Cox (Scream, 3000 Miles to Graceland) certainly grabs that opportunity with both hands! Weathers is finally standing face-to-face with Ghostface, resulting in a standout scene and a knockout performance by Cox. She brings both power and humour to this movie. While the return of Panettiere (Custody, The Forger) as Kirby is wonderful to see, her excellent acting doesn’t come through as much due to the unfortunate wig and mainly supporting role. It’s only during that climax scene that Panettiere can show us what she got.

Scream is bloodier, creepier and funnier than ever!

After the release of Scream (2022), fans were questioning how the franchise could stay alive after Craven’s death. With his death, we lost a master in horror, but directors Gillett and Bettinilli-Olpin know what they’re doing. They have proven that by creating a frighting 2022 film and even bloodier, creepier, funnier Scream VI. Thanks to the many plot twists that certainly keep you on your toes, the standout performances, and the many wonderful easter eggs, the Scream franchise is still very much alive!

Scream VI is out now in U.K. cinemas

Rating: (4.5 / 5)

Also Read: The Future of Scream Without Sidney Prescott

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Now with Scream 5 being announced, it seems like a good time to ask what will be coming from the new movie? What the franchise mainstays have been up to? As well as reflect on the series as a whole and ask if Scream’s return is good or bad?

Scream 5: What to expect

Currently, details about Scream 5 are thin. Apparently, the films plot, “will follow a woman returning to her hometown to try to find out who has been committing a series of vicious crimes.”

However Scream 5 will mark a huge departure for the franchise, as writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven won’t be involved. Instead, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett who made the well-reviewed Ready or Not and the poorly received Devils Due will be directing. And Guy Busick (who wrote Ready or Not) and James Vanderbilt (whose credits include Zodiac and the Amazing Spiderman series) will be writing.

David Arquette is returning as Dewey Riley but it’s currently unknown if Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox will return as Sidney Prescott and Gail Weathers (Campbell is apparently in talks to appear, but this hasn’t yet been confirmed). Which could leave the series without two of its main stars.

Where are they now?

So, what have the series regulars been up to since Scream 4?

Series creator Kevin Williamson has created several original TV shows including The Following and Stalker. And has adapted several pre-existing properties for the small screen. Including continuing to write for Vampire Diaries; creating Time After Time and Tell Me a Story.

David Arquette remains a prolific actor, with starring and supporting roles in a variety of cult projects. Such as the film Bone Tomahawk and tv shows like Creepshow. Neve Campbell has continued with a steady workload. Starring in the likes of Skyscraper and lending supporting turns to the likes of House of Cards, while also focusing on raising her two children. And Courteney Cox has been very busy since Scream 4. She released her directorial debut Just Before I Go in 2014. She continued her starring role in Cougar Town until 2015. Produced several projects, through her production company Coquette Productions (including Cougar town, Just Before I Go and Celebrity Name Game) and solo (recently producing 9 months with Courteney Cox and the upcoming Last Chance U). And coupled with being an activist and a parent it would be understandable if Cox is too busy to return.

And Wes Craven sadly passed away in 2015. Scream 4 was his final directorial credit.

Can Scream maintain its power?

But is it possible for Scream to hold up in today’s world? Unfortunately, the series’ diminishing returns indicate that a new Scream won’t perform well.

The original Scream was a hit, making $173,046,663 worldwide. It also received critical and audience praise for its ridiculing of slasher tropes. Scream 2 focused on slasher sequel trappings, more elaborate death scenes, bigger body count etc. and while still a hit, it wasn’t as big as its predecessor, making $172,363,301. This entry received critical praise, but audiences were more lukewarm. Scream 3, the supposedly final entry (written by Ehren Kruger but still directed by Craven), which took broader shots at movie trilogies made $161,834,276 and was hated by audiences and critics. Scream 4, released 11 years later, parodied horror remakes while being more of a soft-reboot. With the surviving original cast members teaming up with younger leads. It was more well-received by audiences and critics than Scream 3 (Williamson returned as the writer) but only took $97,231,420. A series low.

Truthfully, Scream has done everything it can with its premise. It’s parodied slasher movies, their sequels, their supposed concluding chapters, and even the soft-reboot before its modern popularity with the likes of Halloween (2018). A full-on reboot with new leads is all that’s left. But by bringing Arquette’s Dewey back, Scream 5 doesn’t seem to be doing that. Also, full-fledged slasher films aren’t as prominent anymore. And with the likes of A24 and Blumhouse delivering horror films that play with conventions and audience expectations in a more effective and braver way (tackling race relations, religion, and more), a new Scream film wouldn’t offer much new. Lastly, it doesn’t seem respectful to continue on without Wes Craven. He was the man who directed every franchise entry. And without him, the franchise should be left in peace.

Conclusion

But those are just my thoughts. What do you think about the Scream 5 news? Please let me know.

Also Read: What Happens To Your Brain When Watching A Horror Film

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