Review: Scream VI

Scream was always one of those franchises I chose to avoid. I saw the original film when it was released in 1996 and it blew my mind! It was so impactful that I didn’t want to ruin the story with the inevitable sequels which would flow out of Hollywood’s arse over the next two decades. I’m the same way with The Crow franchise. I’ve never seen any of the sequels. I hear that’s a wise choice.

Last year, Scream V was released in theaters as the horror genre’s reboot train chugged right along unapposed. Since the film contained America’s totally tanned sweetheart aka Jenna Ortega, I decided to give it a watch. Yes, America has no problem with brown people as long as they’re famous and potentially late-night spank fuel for conservative politicians everywhere. I just think she’s straight faced funny and somehow nailed the legendary Wednesday Addams delivery method. She was the only good thing about the Netflix Wednesday show and seemed to carry the entire project on her shoulders. She was spot on channeling Christina Ricci whenever the cameras rolled. Too bad the writing, direction, and remaining cast couldn’t match her level of greatness. The dance was overrated, and we need to make sure Tim Burton doesn’t marry her.

First, I had to get through Scream 2, 3, and 4. Meh. I wasn’t impressed.

Scream 5, however, managed to breathe new life into the franchise with a cast of characters who gelled much like the original. It was so impressive – to me – that I forgot all the other films I had to watch to reach that part of the story. Impressive. Most Impressive.

Here is the trailer:

And here’s the synopsis:

In the next installment, the survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in New York City.

That’s all you need to know.

First of all, I LOVE New York City. I’ve visited over fifty times in the past ten years, and it never gets old. It’s horror AF! Millions of people walking around who you don’t know, and they won’t even make eye contact. It’s an island with a subway system continuously flooding and needing to be pumped out. You can smell the “ancient” beneath the streets as the trains zip in and out of the tunnels. Where do you take a tired ass franchise when it has nowhere else to go? New fucking York. Jason Voorhees excluded.

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, this film just feels different. There is a sense of urgency at all times and the horror is everywhere. Also, the girls who make up this troop of victims are not victims at all. They kick ass and fight back every step of the way. They’re obviously tired of the bullshit and I don’t blame them. No, this wasn’t a Rey Skywalker (ack) Mary Sue slugfest. These girls have character development which leads to the baddassery.

Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera are the main protagonists, and they carry the film. Their on-screen bond is believable and that’s important in a film in which we are supposed to care about sisterly love. The rest of the cast does a wonderful job as well rounding out the personality troupes of the typical slasher film. I could have totally done without the male survivors. They didn’t possess much range and seemed a little stoic at times. Also, this entire story could’ve done without the legacy characters who just seemed to be along for the ride. Maybe as a way of throwing you off the scent of who the killer really is? It wasn’t necessary, Hollywood. I know it fits the formula, but it wasn’t needed. Did Courtney Cox have a plastic surgery bill due? Pay up, Monica!

It’s been a very long time since a slasher sequel had me on the edge of my seat and I’m thankful I gave this film a chance. I wasn’t too impressed with the final reveal, but the acting, gore, and level of violence were on point. Ultimately, I think there is a deeper story here with the main character’s lineage and I wish they would explore it more in future installments. Don’t be afraid to take chances, mainstream horror industry. Have you ever heard of the Terrifier series? It’s coming to get you. Let me know if you need a writer…

5/5 Bloody Knives!

Peace.