Consistency is the most important aspect of any growing film franchise, and there’s really only a few horror franchises that consistently deliver on what they’re primarily known for. Saw, while the first film is considered the best of the series, were regularly cranking out movies that catered to fans of the franchise even if they all felt similar to each other. Another deep cut would be the Final Destination franchise where each film, while carbon copies of each other, gave us new and exciting ways of deliver thrills while still maintaining the essences on what made the franchise so popular among horror fans. When it comes to the Scream movies, they’ve secretly and shockingly become the most consistent and maybe the most popular horror franchise that’s alive right now. What Wes Craven created with those first three films is something we should never take for granted when you consider where the slasher genre was at and especially where Craven was at in his career. There was a huge gap between Scream 3 and Scream 4, but at least you had Craven back in the directors chair to deliver the first of the Scream legacy sequels.
It was a tragic loss when Wes Craven passed away and there were rumors that Scream would see a fifth film but when it was announced that the Ready or Not directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett were set to direct Scream 5, there seemed to be a lot excitement to see what kind of style they would bring while also honoring what Wes had established. Suffice to say Scream 5 was a complete knockout that was a poetic tribute to the films before it but also opening the doors for what’s next to come. With Scream 5 having the biggest opening of the franchise (at the time), it was no surprise that a Scream 6 was announced. The only apprehension that fans of Scream had was having the next film without Neve Campbell herself as Sidney Prescott. But the most exciting part was having Scream 6 being the first film outside of Woodsboro and instead being set in New York City.
It’s amazing for any franchise to make it to six movies, let alone a horror franchise such as Scream that doesn’t feel as if it belongs on a streaming service or a straight to home video issue. Once again, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett excel on perhaps maybe the best Scream sequel that surpasses the previous film. Scream VI features the best kills, brutal attacks, chase sequences and the most unhinged and dangerous Ghostface in the that we’ve ever seen so far. Scream VI is also a testament to how great and important the new characters (the Core 4) are as we say goodbye to the Dewey, Sidney and Gale. After the events of Scream 5, Tara, Sam and the other survivors of Ghostface’s killings in Woodsboro have fled to New York City to start a new chapter in their lives. However, things go south when they discover a new Ghostface is one the loose in the Big Apple that embarks on a bloody rampage.
For those that are diehard Scream fans (myself included), I’m here to tell you that the absence of Sindey Prescott never once felt problematic during the entire duration of the film. It’s nice to see Courtney Cox and even Hayden Panettiere returning back as the legacy characters, who get great material to work with this time around, but the real meat and potatoes of this movie are the four characters in Tara, Sam, Chad and Mindy. The movie makes it abundantly clear that Tara and Sam are becoming the new faces of this franchise and with two films down and out of the way they really earn that title. Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera bring more emotion and extra layer of sisterhood in this movie that really works. Their relationship serves as the films heart and its explored more here in this chapter than it did in Scream 5.
Scream VI is undoubtedly the most gruesome, ruthless and blood bathing installment in the entire franchise. Having the movie set in New York City gives this franchise new and inventive horror set pieces that ultimately lead to the best chase sequences that this franchise has ever seen. All of this really displays how ferocious and unhinged Ghostface is in this film. He’s never been this terrifying and it’s also a showcase to how great Roger L. Jackson’s voice work is for this character.
At this point, you’re either on board with the super meta and self-awareness this these movies bring to the table. That’s ultimately what makes this franchise so charming and fun but they also provide us an extra layer by being great mysteries. Scream VI checks off each every single box for a sixth consecutive time. If the only the new Halloween movies could achieve this success.
Zane's take at the Cinema's 