With Halloween just passing us, I couldn’t think of a better time to pay homage to the highly iconic Scream franchise. These groundbreaking slasher films didn’t just redefine the horror genre but changed the way satire, self-awareness, and horror are addressed in cinema.Â
The Scream franchise is known for several recurring elements that shape its tone and build a larger, interactive universe. Key aspects include the iconic cold openings with brutal Ghostface killings, frequent breaking of the fourth wall, references to classic horror film tropes or the “rules” of horror, exploration of female naivety and the “final girl” trope, as well as the franchise’s signature meta-commentary and satire. These commonalities create a sense of continuity while keeping the films fresh, subversive, and self-aware.
With all of this laid out, let’s break down the Scream films.Â
The franchise follows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), a high school student targeted by the masked killer Ghostface. Over the first four films, Sidney faces different iterations of the killer, each driven by personal vendettas tied to her past — whether it’s revenge, jealousy, or familial resentment.
In later films, the focus shifts to Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), who learns she is the daughter of Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), the original Ghostface, a revelation that haunts her as she gets drawn into a new wave of murders alongside her sister, Tara (Jenna Ortega). Ghostface’s attacks are never random; each killer has a personal motive, making the violence methodical and deliberate.
So how are these stabby films covering all this ground? Let’s break it down film by film, starting with my personal favourite, the first groundbreaking release in 1996.
- Scream (1996)
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The first Scream established several traditions for the franchise, including its now-iconic cold opens. In this case, the cold open features high school student Casey Becker, played by Drew Barrymore, who is home alone when she receives a call from an unknown caller, later revealed to be Ghostface.Â
The conversation starts innocently with questions about horror films but quickly turns unsettling when Ghostface reveals he’s watching her, has her boyfriend tied up outside, and that she must answer horror trivia to save him. This marks the first masterful way the film breaks the fourth wall, as it essentially discusses horror tropes in a horror film.
This meta-dialogue directly interacts with the audience’s familiarity with the horror genre and plays around with the idea of slasher films before abruptly undercutting it with violence when Casey answers a question incorrectly, leading to the brutal deaths of both her boyfriend and herself.
A consistent trope throughout the Scream films is the use of meta-commentary and satire, effectively breaking the fourth wall — where characters acknowledge the audience’s presence and the fictional nature of the story.
A standout moment in the first film occurs when Randy, the film-obsessed character, lays out the “rules” for surviving a horror movie. He warns that you shouldn’t have sex, never say, “I’ll be right back,” and always stay cautious of the killer coming back for one last scare. This self-awareness about horror tropes allows the film to reflect on and critique the formulaic nature of slasher films while cleverly adhering to those same conventions.
The satire in these films also highlights the absurdity of our desensitization to violence. Characters often treat the murders almost like entertainment, as seen during one party scene where the partygoers casually watch Halloween while Ghostface unleashes violence nearby.
This mix of suspense, horror, and humour provides Scream with a sharp critique of the genre, illustrating how we recognize the morbid nature of horror while remaining desensitized to its brutality.
- Scream 2 (1997)Â Â Â
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Set two years after the first film, Scream 2 begins with a cold open featuring Maureen Evans (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Phil Stevens (Omar Epps) attending a sneak preview of Stab, a film based on the previous Woodsboro massacre.
This cold opening is by far my favourite of the franchise because of how smart and aware the film tries to be before engaging in the same activity it critiques.
The scene is loaded with meta-commentary as Maureen and Phil discuss horror film stereotypes, particularly the troubling trend of Black characters often being killed first. Their awareness of this trope cleverly contributes to the film’s fourth-wall-breaking nature.
As Ghostface strikes during the screening of Stab, both characters are killed, aligning with the trope of Black characters being eliminated early. This criticism of horror history reinforces the discussion around racial representation in horror but also plays into it to lean into the absurdity.Â
By showing characters watching Stab, Scream 2 invites the audience to think about horror conventions while also satirically referencing the first Scream film.
Scream 2 continues to establish Sidney Prescott as the embodiment of the “final girl” trope. She consistently confronts the killer and demonstrates growth and agency, setting her apart from typical naive female characters in horror. The film reinforces her identity as a survivor and fighter, highlighting her resilience in the face of ongoing threats.
It also maintains the self-referential style of the first film, with characters commenting on the original Scream and the conventions of horror sequels. They recognize they are part of a sequel and discuss the implications and expectations that come with it, creating playful engagement with the audience about the rules of horror sequels.
- Scream 3 (2000)
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Scream 3 elevates the meta-commentary and satire to a new level, using its plot to critique Hollywood and the film industry at large.
Set in Los Angeles and centred around the production of the third installment of the Stab franchise, the film humorously examines the conventions of filmmaking, celebrity culture, and the absurdities of movie sequels.
By having Ghostface target the cast and crew of Stab 3, the film satirizes the superficiality of celebrity personas and the relentless pursuit of fame. Additionally, Stab 3 pokes fun at the very idea of making multiple Scream films, highlighting the formulaic nature of sequels and the often absurd expectations placed on them.
The film’s self-referential style and satire are particularly evident in Randy’s video message, a pivotal moment for its commentary. Randy offers insights on surviving a trilogy, outlining specific “rules” and noting that the third installment often introduces greater emotional depth, returning characters, and heightened stakes.
This video reflects the film’s self-awareness and engages with genre expectations, playfully mocking the common tropes associated with horror trilogies.
- Scream 4 (2011)
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Set a few years after the third Scream, this film reflects a different era in Hollywood. Rich in meta-commentary and satire, it critiques the trend of remakes and reboots, exploring the genre’s evolution and the impact of social media on horror narratives and audience engagement.
Characters often acknowledge their awareness of being in a horror movie, discussing tropes and engaging with contemporary issues like technology and viral fame.
Sidney Prescott remains the definitive final girl, showcasing her evolution into a more resilient and proactive character. She takes on a mentor role for younger characters. She actively fights back against the killer, subverting the final girl trope by asserting her determination to protect those she cares about.
Continuing the franchise’s tradition of breaking the fourth wall, Scream 4 features self-referential dialogue about the expectations tied to new horror installments. This is particularly evident in discussions about the differences between the original Scream and the current wave of horror films, further enriching the film’s commentary on the genre.
- Scream (2022)
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Scream (2022) marks a significant shift in the franchise, being the first film without legendary director Wes Craven, who passed away in 2015. Under new directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the film introduces a fresh take on the series, blending legacy characters with a new generation of actors.
With Melissa Barrera stepping in as the new final girl, Sam Carpenter, the movie opens the door to potential new plotlines while maintaining the self-referential tone and slasher roots that define the franchise. It honours Craven’s legacy while steering Scream into a new era.
The cold open of Scream (2022) is one of my favourites in the franchise for its blend of modernity and familiarity. It pays homage to the original while adding a fresh twist.
Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), alone at home, receives a menacing call from Ghostface, echoing the iconic Drew Barrymore scene from the first Scream. However, the call turns deadly when Ghostface quizzes her on horror trivia, forcing her into the very genre she downplayed. Tara survives the brutal stabbing, setting a new tone for the film and signalling the potential for unexpected twists ahead.
As the story unfolds, Tara and her friends, initially embodying traditional horror tropes, develop greater resilience, ultimately challenging the notion of female naivety. Meanwhile, Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), introduced as the new final girl, grapples with her legacy as the daughter of Billy Loomis. Her character redefines the final girl trope by actively confronting Ghostface and embracing her complex background, blending strength with survival.
- Scream VI (2023)
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Scream VI maintains its meta-commentary, focusing on how horror franchises evolve and sometimes become self-referential to the point of absurdity. The film highlights that sequels are no longer just about original stories; they’re about legacy, continuation, and fan expectations.
It satirizes the horror genre’s increasing complexity and commercial drive, catering to audiences well-versed in horror lore who expect fresh twists.
Truthfully, this installment is my least favourite in the franchise because of how strange and awkward it came off. The absurdity felt pushed to a point that was exhausting and almost too self-aware, making it feel pointless at times. It also raised questions about whether the filmmakers need to reflect on their own criticisms regarding the continuation of the series.
Despite its flaws, the concept of the final girl is explored through the evolving roles of Sam and Tara. Sam emerges as a new-age final girl, navigating her legacy as the daughter of Billy Loomis while trying to protect herself and her sister from the latest Ghostface attacks. Tara also steps up, demonstrating significant growth from her initial naivety.
In the face of danger, her character transitions from a vulnerable victim to someone who actively fights back against the killers. This shift highlights her resilience and challenges traditional notions of female naivety in horror. Both characters offer a modern take on the final girl trope, with Sam particularly grappling with her internal conflict and her identity as a survivor.
- Scream 7 (Expected 2026)
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Having not been much of a fan of Scream VI, I’m not particularly looking forward to the franchise’s seventh installment. My enthusiasm is lessened due to some of the actions made by production outside of the film that occurred earlier this year.
In a major shake-up, Melissa Barrera was fired from Scream 7 for voicing her support for Palestine. This sparked widespread controversy, with many calling out the double standard as actors like Noah Schnapp have publicly supported Israel, with statements like “Zionism is sexy,” yet faced no repercussions, while Barrera lost a role simply for sharing her stance on Palestine.
Jenna Ortega, our co-final girl from the newer Scream films, also stepped away from the project in solidarity with Barrera.
Despite these developments, Scream 7 is still in progress, with Neve Campbell confirmed to return as Sidney Prescott. Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the original Scream and its sequels, will direct, continuing his long-standing connection to the franchise.
So, of course, that does lead to the end of the Scream series as this next film will not be watched by me, but although it ended on this rocky note, it doesn’t take away from the groundbreaking legacy of the franchise that redefined horror for me.
I love this series so much (at least the first five films), and I’m still excited to pick one at random to watch alongside my other spooky season classics.Â