Both a meta exploration of the genre and a horror classic itself,Screamburst (quite literally) onto the scene in 1996 with its tongue-in-cheek references to slasher films of the past, all while bringing audiences a new face to add to their iconic roster of killers: Ghostface. The film, as successful horror movies are wont to do, spawned multiple sequels featuring copycat killers donning the Ghostface mask, and now its fourth sequel, bearing a spiritually successive — if much louder — name,SCREAM, has arrived to bring the terror of Woodsboro, California to a whole new generation of teens.
Trailers for the horror sequel have introduced audiences to a new version of Ghostface, one intent on killing everyone in Woodsboro related to the killers from the previous four films. Joining the franchise for the first, terrifying time areDylan Minnette,Sonia Ben Ammar,Mikey Madison,Mason Gooding,Jasmin Savoy Brown,Jack Quaid,Jenna Ortega, andMelissa Barrera.
In addition to its new members,SCREAMdrags original starsNeve Campbell,Courtney Cox,David Arquette, andMarley Sheltonback into the fray, reprising their roles as they search for someone with a link to their past, who won’t stop until someone’s in the ground.Roger L. Jacksonalso returns to play the chilling voice of Ghostface once more.
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DirectorsMatt Bettinelli-OlpinandTyler Gilletttake over the meta-horror throne from late directorWes Craven, who helmed the first fourScreamfilms before his passing in 2015. Directing a script fromJames VanderbiltandGuy Busick, the directors dedicated this new filmto the memory of Craven, who changed the landscape of horror forever withScreamand other classics.
But what do the first reactions think ofSCREAM? Are critics and journalists thrilled by the return of Ghostface and the mystery of who lies under the mask, or were they bored to tears waiting to find out who just couldn’t leave Woodsboro alone? Check out some early reactions to the film below.
First up, here’s what Collider’s own Steve Weintraub and Perri Nemiroff had to say:
Others praised the long-awaited return to this franchise as well as a great big-screen way to kick off 2022, although some said certain story choices might prove divisive:
SCREAMdelivers, and the real testament to the film’s success is that it will only, apparently, make fans crave more:
The film doesn’t take itself too seriously (which, in the end, is what we all want from a newScreammovie, right?) and the common sentiment seemed to be that it unquestionably pays homage to the legacy of the late Wes Craven:
