Scream is the latest movie in the Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson franchise. The first Scream was released in 1996 starring Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lilliard and Skeet Ulrich. Unlike the other four, this requel sees Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet in the directors’ chair. Meanwhile, James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick provide the script. Once again, it sees Ghost Face haunting the town of Woodsboro.
However, like every Scream movie the killer’s identity is a secret. It’s the one thing that separates this horror slasher from others like Halloween or Friday the 13th. The best part of the franchise is how it mixes slasher horror and whodunnit mystery.
The fifth movie reunites Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Furthermore, it welcomes Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid and Jasmin Savoy Brown to the cast, among others. Check out a trailer for it below:
Scream opens with a familiar scene. Jenna Ortega’s Tara Carpenter answers the phone to someone asking “what’s your favorite scary movie?” It opens up an interesting dialogue on the different subgenres within horror, including elevated horror (Babadook, Hereditary). It’s the 21st Century version of the opening from the original movie but don’t expect it to go exactly the same.
It’s this attack that brings Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) back to Woodsboro with her boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid). Everything that comes after is spoiler territory. What I can say though is the story takes the audience on a rollercoaster from the word go and it never lets up.
The movie is unapologetically brutal but manages to perfectly balance the humor. It shouldn’t be too surprising since this entry comes from the people who gave us Ready or Not.
Scream is a movie for old and new fans. It uses nostalgia as a way to update the rules of surviving a horror movie. This way, it harks back to previous instalments while continuing its hilarious, and too real, meta-commentary. It’s within the meta-commentary where the laughs and tears come from. There’s a particular scene where characters are discussing the eighth movie in a beloved franchise fans hate.
What makes it funnier is the person who ‘directed’ the fictional movie. Although, I’ll leave that out of the review as a blind reaction to it is better. At its heart, the story is about something that has become worse in recent years – toxic fandoms.
It’s a perfect allegory for the current times what with specific Star Wars and DC fans.
It goes without saying the original cast is fantastic as always. There isn’t a weak link in the cast but there are several people to who I want to give a spotlight to. The first person is Jenna Ortega. Her performance as Tara is realistic. Her trauma is played with an emotional vulnerability that’s always kept in check. Jenna might not be the main character but you’re forgiven if you think she is. She’s one to watch as Jenna Ortega’s career will only continue to reach new heights.
The same goes for Melissa Barrera. She’s great in In the Heights but she’s on another level here. After four movies, Neve’s Campbell’s limelight as the protagonist is passed to Melissa so a lot rides on her shoulders. Thankfully, she steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park.
Slasher movies aren’t generally known for their emotional moments. Usually, they’re reserved for elevated horror. This isn’t the case here. Sam is a complex character who has a terrible secret that could ruin relationships in her life. Only a performer of Melissa’s calibre could play it with a range of emotions that tug at your heartstrings. The chemistry between Jenna and Melissa is one of the best things about the movie.
As a fan of The Boys, it’s wrong of me not to talk about Jack Quaid even for a moment. He plays the love interest who sticks by Sam no matter what happens. As you may expect, he provides several of the laughs and his unassuming demeanor quickly puts him on the suspect list. Yet, as Ghost Face says, you’ve never seen this movie before. Don’t assume anything.
Scream is a welcome addition to the franchise. It’s playing exclusively in theatres. If you haven’t seen it yet and you love horror movies, I recommend it.
