Fans of the iconic horror franchise Scream are flooding cinemas this weekend, as the fifth instalment in the series has finally hit the big screen.
Legacy characters Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers-Riley and Dewey Riley (played by Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette respectively) all make their return, but they’re not the primary focus of this sequel-turned-reboot; or ‘re-quel’, if you will. They’re here to pass the torch.
Fresh blood in the form of Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Dylan Minnette, Mikey Madison, Mason Gooding and Kyle Gallner help ring in an entirely new era of mass murder, whilst the compelling Marley Shelton makes a comeback as former Deputy, now Sheriff, Judy Hicks.
There’s not a single weak link amongst the cast and thankfully, that extends to the team behind the camera. Hardcore fans were a little worried that the passing of legendary original creator and director Wes Craven in 2015 would lead to an inferior final product, but directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have done him proud.
Scream (2022) or, Scream 5 if you’d prefer, is a meta movie packed full of throwbacks to the original and witty references from writer Guy Busick that will have horror junkies smiling from ear to ear. Plus, he still manages to surprise with narrative choices that come out of left field, taking the viewer by surprise and keeping us all on our toes.
As the blood begins to flow, we learn that each of the potential victims have a connection to the original massacre that took place in Woodsboro, 25 years before. When Sam (Barrera) discovers the attack on her sister Tara (Ortega) has taken place in the small town, she makes a return that sets in motion a series of deadly events, calling on Dewey (Arquette) to help her unmask whoever’s wearing the infamous Ghostface mask. This in turn leads to Dewey warning Sidney (Campbell) and Weathers-Riley (Cox) to stay away from Woodsboro; but were they ever going to listen?
It would be fair to say that our emotional attachment to the original trio far outweighs that to the characters who are introduced here, but that doesn’t mean the new additions can’t make a bond that is ultimately shattered when the inevitable and, extremely gruesome slayings take place. Ortega and Barrera in particular had us leaning forward in our seats, willing them to survive and get the upper hand. They’ve got all the makings of excellent ‘final girls’, but whether they made it to the end of the flick with their hearts still beating? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out.
Though this fifth Scream film may not be quite as brilliant as the original, it very may well be the best sequel yet.
Scream is in cinemas now, 114 mins, certificate 18.
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