What’s your favorite scary movie? Like many Horror fans, and even some of those who are not, the answer will likely be one of the Scream films. Beginning with the box office and critically acclaimed original Scream from 1996, introducing a killer named Ghostface, it features a somewhat established cast; including Neve Campbell as Sydney, Courtney Cox as reporter Gale Weathers, and David Arquette as Dewey. From this point forward, Scream transformed the way Horror movies could be made into a profitable film franchise; using innovative story lines, structure, humor and character development.
That in mind, while directed by the legendary Wes Craven, Scream also featured cinematography from Mark Irwin (RoboCop 2 1990, There’s something about Mary 1998), paving the way for 3 successful sequels starting with 1997’s Scream 2, returning in 2000 with Scream 3, and wrapping up in 2011 with Scream 4. Sadly, the incomparable Horror great Wes Craven passed away in 2015, all but leaving the future of Scream in limbo. However, prior to the release of Scream 4, Scream Screenwriter Kevin Williamson had mapped out the fourth and fifth film depending on how number 4 went critically and in the box office. Suffice to say such paved the way for more Scream films, thus potentially bringing the franchise into present day.
Scream VI / Paramount (2023)
Doing just that, in 2022 Scream made a return with the fifth film simply entitled Scream. This time with Williamson acting as an executive producer, the series successfully made a comeback. So much so that Scream VI emerged this past March of 2023 in theaters. Another box office success, it was soon released digitally on April 25th, in the US, where it also began streaming on Paramount+ and various other regions. From here, the film arrived on VOD on May 9th, but at least made it to DVD, Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray July 11th through Paramount Pictures.
A long road of releases for the Horror flick, some may still have not caught it yet, so they are wondering is it really worth the time? Written by James Vanderbilt (Slender Man 2018, Ambulance 2022) and Guy Busick (Ready or Not 2019, Castle Rock series), directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin (V/H/S/94 2012, Scream 2022) and Tyler Gillett (Devil’s Due 2014, Ready or Not 2019), the newest incarnation somehow impossibly takes things bigger, bloodier and badder than ever before.
Recapping, a year after the mayhem of 2022’s Scream, sisters Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera: All the World Is Sleeping 2021, Bed Rest 2022), and Tara (Jenna Ortega: Yes Day 2021, X 2022), have moved to New York to restart their lives. Here with friends, Chad (Mason Gooding: Booksmart 2019, Fall 2022) and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown: Sound of Violence 2021, Missing 2023), they look to get as far away from the cursed Woodsboro as they can. However, despite their distancing, things do not go as planned, and Ghostface reappears with fresh stabbing terror in store. With this, the trust they have developed in each other also begins to crumble. Adding to this fun, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox: Friends series, Scream 1996), Kirby (Hayden Panettiere: Scream 4 2011, Nashville series) and the ghost of Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich: Scream 1996, Riverdale series) return in the hopes of stopping Ghostface for good.
Scream VI / Paramount (2023)
Overall, Scream VI does push the story forward. Rather than relying on old tropes and becoming a derivative. Vanderbilt and Busick deliver this fresh take, meta-horror into the millennial world. As a result, it is another welcomed instalment that will grasp the attention of every generation and leave them wanting more. And you guessed it, a seventh Scream is in the works! Although, with the recent firing of Melissa Barrera and the subsequent withdrawal from Jenna Ortega, there is a big hole in the cast, leaving a question mark on the film’s further development. With these unknowns in mind, Scream VI is still definitely an enjoyable blood fest, and that is why Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
Scream VI / Paramount (2023)
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