Scream Six: A Thrilling Addition to the Iconic Franchise

By Anya Patri

Scream Six is the newest addition to the Scream franchise, and it does not disappoint with its plot, characters, and modern twist on classic horror tropes. **SPOILERS AHEAD**

As a fan of the Scream franchise, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Scream Six, and I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint. The film delivered on all fronts – it was suspenseful, entertaining, and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. One of the things that impressed me most about Scream Six was the way it managed to blend the classic elements of the franchise with fresh, modern twists. The film paid homage to the original Scream while also incorporating new technology and contemporary themes, making it feel both nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

Scream Six picks up several years after the events of the previous film. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has returned to her hometown of Woodsboro, where she reconnects with old friends Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette). However, their peaceful reunion is interrupted by a new string of murders that bear a striking resemblance to the killings that haunted them in the past. This time, the killers are using Livestreaming to broadcast their crimes, and as the body count rises, the group realizes that they must work together to uncover the identity of the culprits and put an end to the killings once and for all.

One thing that I appreciated about Scream Six is that it doesn’t rely solely on nostalgia to carry the story. While there are nods to the previous movies, the plot is fresh and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing. The identity of the killer(s) is cleverly concealed until the final act, and the reveal is both surprising and satisfying. While some of the character’s decisions seem a bit unintelligent in retrospect following the reveal, it doesn’t do much to harm the plot of the movie. 

The film also doesn’t shy away from addressing current social issues, including the impact of social media on society and the #MeToo movement. These themes are woven seamlessly into the story and add an extra layer of depth to the already complex narrative. In Scream Six, Live Streaming plays a prominent role in the storyline. The killers use social media platforms to broadcast their murders in real-time, adding an extra layer of terror and urgency to the already intense situation. Live Streaming is also used by the characters as a means of communication and information sharing. They use their phones to record and share videos of their experiences, which helps them to piece together the clues and ultimately identify the killers. The film addresses the dark side of social media, highlighting how it can be used to manipulate and deceive people. The killers use Livestreaming to not only commit their crimes but also to control the narrative and manipulate public perception.

Unfortunately, where the movie falls a bit flat is some of the character decisions. Sam, the protagonist, has a less than ideal motivation for the killings and the idea that she has a serial killer alter ego just waiting to pop out can be a bit tedious to watch. The idea that the final girl can be the killer is an interesting concept, but Sam doesn’t seem like the best choice for this trope and the execution of it in this film is not as great as it could have been. Having multiple killers was a great choice as well, but unfortunately the end reveal fell a bit flat when compared to all of the buildup. 

If you are a fan of the Scream franchise, you won’t be disappointed by this film. My favorite installments were Scream One and Scream Four, but this is definitely a close second due to the compelling characters, great performances, and interesting interpretation of the Scream killer through a modern lens. It feels like a solid follow up to its predecessors, and is a fun watch even if you haven’t seen any of the previous films.