Scream Review (1996)

8 / 10.  The classic Scream injected a fresh bloodline into horror films in the 90s and thereafter *MILD SPOILER*

Scream is an American slasher film directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson. Credited, rightly so, with infusing new life into the slasher-horror genre. Scream became a modern horror classic and uniquely parodied popular horror clichés, where the rules go out the window, along with some victims…

After a gruesome opening sequence, Woodsboro, California, is terrorised by masked, knife wielding, crank calling maniac, “Ghostface,” whose identity keeps viewers guessing until the end. High school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), already dealing with the murder of her mother a year previously, becomes the prime target of Ghostface’s knife.

The gruesome opening sequence of Scream is a memorable addition to classic horror, starting with a bloody bang No one was safe and all bets were off, killing off an unsuspecting - and top billed - Drew Barrymore as Casey. 

Neve Campbell is great as Sidney Prescott. Naïve and timid yet evolving into a stronger, more resilient version of herself by the end. It features a good ensemble cast of supporting characters - Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, Matthew Lillard as Stuart, Rose McGowan as Tatum and Skeet Ulrich as Billy Loomis. David Arquette is cute light relief as Deputy Dewey.

‘Don’t fear the Reaper’ is used in the background in Sidney’s room when Billy comes in through the window, a nod to 1978’s Halloween, of which there are many fun references. Billy’s surname Loomis, a not so subtle reference. The rules of horror movies, as laid out by Randy, poke fun at the film itself and the well-loved horror genre, and the film succeeded in injecting a fresh bloodline into horror films to come.

Screams 2, 3, and 4 were not as good, but still enjoyable. 4 being my favourite of the sequels. I also enjoyed the recent Netflix Scream series. Two seasons, a third to follow.

*EDIT: 5 & 6 now out!*