Scream! Going Back to the Beginning

 The Scream Franchise is one of the most well-known horror franchises today. There are currently six films that are associated. The first installment released on December 20, 1996 and the most recent releasing on March 10, 2023. After the fourth film released in theaters, we never expected a fifth movie to come out. The fact that a sixth is only hours away is a gift from the horror gods themselves. In honor of the new film, and in appreciation of horror cinema, I will take you back to where it all started in 1996. Spoiler alert!

 

The Opening Kill

Scream 1996 poster guest staring Drew Barrymore

Scream began with a twist opening. What we thought was the main character Casey, played by Drew Barrymore, was a red herring. Casey is home alone when the phone rings. She picks up and some strange man in a weird voice starts quizzing her on horror movies. It wasn't until the man threatened her boyfriend's life that she played along. Unfortunately, she got a question wrong and saw her boyfriend's life flash before her eyes. That's when her chase scene begins. After an exhaustive race around her home, the man caught up and ended Casey's life as well.

At this point, the audience was stunned as this was nothing close to what they expected. Throughout promotions, Drew's face was plastered everywhere making it seem like she was the star. Her gruesome demise by some mystery person wearing a Ghost Face costume set the bar high for the rest of the movie.

Summary

Ghost Face

Now we find ourselves following Sydney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, a young high school student. After a long day of school, where everyone is m3de aware of Casey's death, Sydney goes home to rest. She wakes up to a phone call from someone disturbingly similar to the person who called Casey. Sydney is then abruptly frightened by Ghost Face following a brief chase scene. Out of breath, she eventually reaches her room and tries contacting the police. In doing so, her boyfriend, Billy, sneaks up through her bedroom window. Due to the circumstances, we are set to believe Sydney's boyfriend, Billy, is the suspected murderer.

We have a gang of friends who don't take the murders seriously. They were Sydney, Billy, Tatum, Stu, and Randy. As the movie progresses, we meet two other iconic characters. They are Gale Weathers, played by Courtney Cox, the infamous reporter known for publishing a story following the death of Sydney's mother years prior, and Deputy Dewey, played by David Arquette, the clumsy cop trying to protect everyone. These two fellow protagonists follow Sydney through her journey, where we witness the deaths of Principal Himbry, Tatum Riley, and Kenny the cameraman at the hands of Ghost Face.

The Final Act

We are reaching the final act that takes place at a party hosted by Stu. Everyone is having fun despite recent event and even indulge in other horror cinema poking fun at the murders. Here is where we reach our climax. The main cast is separated from one another, influenced by alcohol and fear, and the shrilling music plays in the background. Sydney becomes hysterical with the murderer appearing and disappearing and finds Billy covered in blood, stumbling towards her and asking for the gun in her hand to protect themselves. In the act of betrayal, Billy points the weapon at Sydney. Stu comes in for the rescue, or so she thinks. In a final twist, it's revealed that both Billy AND Stu were Ghost Face. A perfect cover-up as one could alibi while the other kills.

Billy's motive originated through Sydney's mom. She was known to get around town and eventually got to Billy's dad. It resulted in a broken marriage and the beginning of Billy's plan. Stu, however, had a simple mind and was easily manipulated by Billy to assist in his plan. Sydney, Gale and Dewey face death in the eye as they are tied up lying on the kitchen floor. As one of the most well-respected final girls, Sydney escapes and blindsides both killers. She caught them off guard and in the last act of life or death, Sydney made sure both men could never kill again.

Scream Cast starting from left: Billy (Skeet Ulrich), Sydney (Neve Campbell), Stu (Matthew Lillard), Tatum (Rose McGowen), and Randy (Jamie Kennedy) 

Final Thoughts

Despite the four movies that followed, Scream 1996 will always be a favorite. It was a rollercoaster of emotions filled with intense scenes and gruesome fatalities that has yet to be topped by its successors. I do have to give some credit to the fourth part; the performance and intelligence of the antagonist almost had me rooting for them. There aren't many franchises that have a final girl (or boy) withstanding multiple films; nevertheless, two (Gale)! Of course, a lot of blood is pertained within, but Scream is more than the deaths. It is about the plan and motive, the execution and the whodunnit who-could-it-be scenario. I am excited to see what Scream VI has to offer.