Photo by Paramount Pictures
It's been more than a decade since the last entry in the Scream franchise with Scream 4 and the first film without horror icon Wes Craven not being behind the camera. Walking into this film, I was terrified that this would be a poor attempt at reviving a dead franchise. Luckily for me, Scream (2022) not only delivers, but brings to life new characters that can successfully carry the torch from here on out and reignite the long lost franchise.
This film works in many ways, but the biggest thing it succeeds in is the incorporation of newer characters with the legacy characters of the past films. Few films are able to successfully pull this off and the slightest misgiving can lead to immense pushback (The Last Jedi anyone?) but Scream (2022) finds the perfect balance. The film takes place 25 years after the original film and main leads Sam Carpenter & her younger sister Tara Carpenter played by Melissa Barrera & Jenna Ortega have found themselves at the center of Ghostface's latest killing spree. Both new leads are terrific in their respective roles with newer supporting character Jack Quaid as Sam's boyfriend Richie also being great. Legacy character actors Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette especially are awesome in the film but clear the path for the newer characters to take hold of the franchise.
Scream (2022) is not just bloody but it is incredibly gruesome as well. Ghostface doesn't hold back and the film shows everything. Things get pretty gnarly in this entry and each murder and brutal maiming is well earned. Another highlight of the film is Ghostface. He is creepier and trickier than ever as he works his way to terrify his victims before slicing them up. The filmmakers are successful in making the actual stalking and terrifying of victims the scariest element of the movie and not just cheap jump scares.
Scream (2022) does falter a bit in certain aspects. For one, the comedic elements are at an all time low for the franchise. While no one goes to these movies for a laugh, they are unique in that most of them contain quite a few laugh out loud moments. This one sad to say, has the fewest in laugh out loud moments. One of the other negative aspects of this movie is the overuse of meta commentary. While this franchise is notorious for its meta humor, the film makes numerous references to "elevated horror films" of recent years and it just came off jarring to me.
With all that said, I'm basically pointing out minor nitpicks I had. Scream (2022) succeeds in more ways than I thought it could and is a must see in theaters. It is a welcome addition to the slasher genre and the best slasher film in recent years. Like The Force Awakens was for Star Wars, This film is a win for all Scream fans.
Grade: A-
Scream premieres in theaters January 14th, 2021.
Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Written by: James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick.
Cast: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette & Roger Jackson.