Scream VI (2023)

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Scream Reviews

The 'Scream' franchise continues to use its familiar formula. One by one, we've now done "horror movie," "horror sequel," "horror trilogy," "horror reboot," and "horror requel". What's left, you ask? Well, what else but a "horror franchise"? Although it may sound like I'm rolling my eyes at the concept of yet another 'Scream' movie following its old formula, I have to admit I really enjoyed this! Time will tell whether my opinion fades a little, as it did with 'Scream 4', but so far, I'd say this might be one of the best in the series.

​Our four survivors from the last film, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) Carpenter, along with the Meeks-Martin twins, Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown), have moved to New York City for a new start, following the events of 'Scream 5.' Tara attends University with the twins, as do newcomers Quinn Bailey (Liana Liberato), Mindy's Girlfriend, Anika Kayoko (Devyn Nekoda), and Chad's roommate, Ethan Landry (Jack Champion). Meanwhile, Sam attends regular therapy sessions following her experience, which touches on a certain dark secret Sam has, which wanders into spoiler territory.

As per usual, the film opens with a killer wearing a Ghostface mask doing his thing, leading to a media circus where Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) shows up, leaving us wondering exactly how to feel about her. Meanwhile, Detective Wayne Bailey (Dermot Mulroney) calls Sam in for questioning, since her ID happened to be found on the scene of this chapter's first brutal murder, along with what seems to be the mask from the previous year's attacks. Of course, it's not long before things start happening all over again, but this time, it takes place in the middle of the big city of Manhattan.

While Sam is a little more vigilant about the situation she finds herself in, wanting to escape while the escaping is good, Tara is a little more insistent that the worst is probably over, she can take care of herself and doesn't want to throw away her education based on a few horrific days of their lives. So there's some rivalry here, but it's also a good way of showing us different personalities coping with such an intense situation. Once again, the film throws in more than a couple of red herrings to keep us guessing about the killer's identity, but I have to admit this time they were a little easier for me to spot.

This chapter also features the return of Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere), who we last saw in 'Scream 4.' She has since done pretty well for herself, becoming an FBI agent specializing in Ghostface attacks. We also have some dude, whom Sam is seeing, named Danny Brackett (Josh Segarra); the typical love interest, the lead doesn't know whether or not to trust. As a side note, they always do well with nods to horror names in these movies, and like with the surname "Carpenter," this is also a nod to Annie Brackett of 'Halloween' fame. Sadly for some, Sidney has no part in this story, but in some ways I appreciate the shift in focus.

I'd hazard a guess that a lot of the film drew inspiration from the 'Friday the 13th' franchise, bringing the action to Manhattan (this time, the movie actually fully takes place there). Despite some of it being more of the same, there's definitely a modern feel to this chapter. Not only can fans appreciate a new level of brutality in the kills here, but it also delves into deeper themes like toxic horror fans, conspiracies, and legacy, both within the horror movies that carry this franchise and in Sam and Tara's real lives. The filmmakers here definitely turned the volume up with this instalment.

Once again, a set of survival rules is established, but much of it is just a repeat or rewording of previous films. Still, there is more to it that makes it enjoyable, and it comes complete with an ending that places that wonderful, twisted cherry on top of the Scream horror sundae. I see this in almost the same way I saw 'Scream 2'. It's almost more of a comedy than a horror, as it seems to embrace itself as being exactly what it's parodying. Some old school fans may be disappointed in the shift that 'Scream VI' takes, but for me, this was thoroughly enjoyable, and right behind 'Scream 2' as my favourite in the series.

4/5

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