Scream VI

REVIEW:

When Scream VI was announced, excitement was high until news broke that Neve Campbell would not be returning due to pay disputes. I wasn’t sure how to feel about a Scream movie without Sidney Prescott. She’s the heart of the series, part of the franchise’s DNA, and her absence leaves a noticeable void. However, it’s lucky that the new leads are so strong. Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding, the self-proclaimed “Core Four,” carry the film with energy and charisma. Their chemistry and sense of camaraderie make the transition feel natural, and it’s a relief that the franchise didn’t lose its pulse without Sidney. Gale Weathers returns for a smaller but memorable role, keeping at least one legacy presence intact.

This instalment shakes things up by taking the story out of Woodsboro and into New York City. The move feels bold and refreshing; after so many films set in the same small town, it’s thrilling to see Ghostface unleashed in the Big Apple. I was initially buzzing to see how the franchise would use the city’s iconic landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park or even the Empire State Building, but disappointingly, none of them appear. Imagine Ghostface chasing victims through a crowd in Times Square, that would’ve been something special. Still, I get it, filming in those places must be a logistical nightmare and insanely expensive. Luckily, the subway scene more than makes up for it. It’s easily one of the tensest sequences in the franchise, with flickering lights, packed commuters and passengers in masks of other horror icons like Michael Myers and Pinhead.

I also appreciated the callback to Scream 2 through the New York college campus setting, mirroring the Ohio campus from that sequel. It’s a subtle nod to the past while keeping things fresh. The Core Four are as strong as ever, their bond clearly deepened after surviving the previous film’s massacre. And then there’s Kirby, the fan-favourite from Scream 4, back as an FBI agent. Her return feels both earned and exciting, and it’s great to see her interact with this new generation of survivors.

The film’s opening is another standout. Just when you think you’ve got Scream figured out, it hits you with something unexpected. The franchise has built its reputation on clever fake-outs, but this opener genuinely surprised me. It’s chilling, unpredictable and right up there with some of the series’ best openings. This movie also doesn’t hold back on the gore, it’s bloody, brutal and violent in a way that feels true to Scream while pushing the boundaries further.

I loved the look of Ghostface’s mask this time around, old, cracked and weathered. It adds a layer of menace, like the killer is carrying the franchise’s history with them. The reveal that it’s Billy Loomis’s mask is a great touch, tying the film’s new blood to its roots. Sam’s internal struggle is another fascinating thread, exploring her trauma and the darkness she inherited. I genuinely thought they were leading toward her embracing that darker side, something teased in Scream (2022), and it’s a shame we’ll never see that fully explored.

The bodega scene deserves special mention. That sequence is pure chaos and one of the best action set pieces in the franchise. Seeing Ghostface wield a shotgun was jaw-dropping, it’s the most aggressive and unrelenting version of the character we’ve ever seen. I also loved the small nod to the original when Tara punches Gale in the face, echoing Sidney’s iconic moment. Mindy, as always, is brilliant at breaking the fourth wall, hilariously pointing out the two killers while explaining the “rules of a franchise.” The scene of Sam, Mindy and Anika climbing across the apartment windows is pure nail-biting tension, the kind of inventive suspense Wes Craven would’ve loved.

There are a few conveniences in the script, like Gale conveniently being left behind, which just so happens to set up her apartment confrontation with Ghostface. Still, that moment works beautifully because Gale finally outsmarts the killer by redialling the number, a classic Scream-style touch of wit amidst the carnage. Chad’s brutal attack genuinely hurt to watch, he’s such a likeable character, and seeing him take that beating was rough. The killer reveal was unexpected and tied nicely into the previous film, which is exactly what you want from a Scream twist, shocking but logical.

In the end, Scream VI is a fantastic continuation of the series and a strong follow-up to Scream (2022). It’s stylish, suspenseful and filled with the kind of inventive kills and self-aware humour fans love. That final shot of Sam holding Billy’s mask was such a great tease for where her story could’ve gone, would she have embraced her darker instincts or overcome them once and for all? Sadly, we’ll probably never know. With Melissa Barrera fired and Jenna Ortega choosing not to return, that storyline seems to have been cut short. The only silver lining is that Neve Campbell is coming back with original writer Kevin Williamson stepping into the director’s chair. Still, part of me wishes we’d seen this story through to the end because Scream VI proved there was still plenty of life and blood left in Ghostface’s legacy.