SCREAM (2022)

02.14.22

Oh no! It’s January! What could be worse than another low-budget horror flick being released during cinema’s worst month for film?! Wait a second… I am going to SCREAM! Scream 5 is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and stars Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette and a plethora of other supporting cast members.

Taking place twenty-five years after the events of the original Scream, a brand new killer dawning the Ghostface persona begins to target a group of people with looming dangerous secrets from the past.

As I already hinted at, January is infamously notorious for releasing atrocious horror films. With this being the fifth installment on a relatively mixed on-going franchise as well, I didn’t have high hopes before walking in. After hearing the audience consensus and seeing the film for myself however, I surprisingly feel comfortable saying this is my favorite Scream film besides the original!

Firstly, the meta-commentary is fantastic. The Scream franchise is famous for always poking fun at and following the current trend of horror films coming out at the time; and this one is no different. This is the first film to actively poke fun at the soft-reboot concept, elevated horror films such as The Babadook and Hereditary, as well as more obscure references such as how audiences react to films online due to their divisiveness.

Secondly, the kills are brutally satisfying. Although I enjoy Scream 4, I do admit that that film is insanely exaggerated in both its kills and final ten minutes. This film’s kills are the most violent and tense they have been since probably Scream 2. Ghostface remains terrifying, menacing and clumsy. Without spoiling anything, the killer’s reveal here is loosely connected to the killer in the 1996 original; which left me incredibly satisfied and thrilled.

I was heavily surprised by the screenplay and directing! Considering this is the only Scream film not involved with Wes Craven in any way, it thankfully comes across as a wonderful tribute to the late and great horror icon. The director-duo smartly decided not to attempt Craven’s directing style; and the airtight writing I found to be stronger than all of the Scream sequels.

A wonderful devilishly fun time at the movies during cinema’s usual dumping ground. Go support the theater! 

8/10