WHEN THE MASKED ‘MONSTER’ TAKES MANHATTAN! Scream VI Review.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve done a review and a post. So, after a much-needed hiatus, I’m ready to review! 

With the recent buzz over the announced Scream 7, I thought I’d take an in-depth look at the predecessor (and most current) film of the franchise, Scream VI (2023)

I recently re-watched the movie just to refresh my perspective and I have to say, number 6 is quite an outstanding film. It’s set in Manhattan, which is the perfect playground for the new and now highly evolved Ghostface. This landscape implements an anonymity that is unparalleled in the previous instalments. New York is vast, vibrant, loud, and densely populated; a city that never sleeps. It’s a place where anyone can simply be unseen, where a killer or killers, can hide away with the possibility of never being revealed. Woodsboro, a beloved character, and the original headquarters for harm has been usurped and ‘the Big Apple’ has taken the podium in an epic stand. 

The plot, like all Scream films, is a little derivative, but it needs to be to work. There are some exceptional moments of homage throughout this narrative that should absolutely delight the devoted fans, a notable one [spoiler alert] that is delivered impeccably by Dermott Mulroney who portrays Detective Bailey; a sublime and patriarchal supervillain. In a maniacal eruption, Mulroney simulates the original ‘bad-guy’ Stu Macher’s (Matthew Lillard) infamous spit-soaking declaration “Everybody dies but us” with an additional and diversified extension. There are, as mentioned, quite a few splendid nods to Scream (1996).  Another worthy mention involves alumni Kirby (Hayden Panettiere), Ghostface number 2 Ethan (Jack Champion) and a television to the head [yes, Stu Macher again]. Like I said, the fandom should be brimming with jubilation! 

Revising their roles from the previous film; Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barerra), Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding) and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) have moved to Manhattan. Tara and the twins are attending college while Sam works multiple jobs and tries to overcome the entire Woodsboro ordeal. There are several new characters added to expand the body count and suspect list and as always, the immortal Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox). Kirby Reed (Panettiere) is a character that audiences believe to be dead by the end of Scream 4 (2011) and is an interesting addition to the clique. The new characters are decent but not remarkable, which is a tad unsatisfying considering two of those characters are revealed to be members of the Ghostface brigade. 

A performance that is certainly deserving of merit is that of Melissa Barrera. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is undoubtedly the irrefutable heroine, our favourite final girl and the original protagonist who evolves from the deeply fractured victim to the confident, resilient powerhouse. Sidney steps aside however and passes that torch to Barerra in Scream (2022). Sam Carpenter, however, is an almost upgraded model of champion. She is every bit the indisputable badass while every bit the tortured soul. She’s sassier, angrier and a hell of a lot tougher. As the spawn of a serial killer [Billy Loomis], there is an inherent darkness in her that drives and conflicts her. Barrera displays brilliant authenticity in battling Sam\’s demons with overt volatility and leaves a turbulent bloodied trail. 

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet excelled with this production. The character connections are compelling, and the carnage is admirable. But the atmosphere is where this edition really excels, and it is demonstrated to perfection in the train boarding scene. Separated by the masses of Halloween partygoers, Mindy and Ethan are forced to catch a different train than the group. It is here that we see Ghostface from Mindy\’s perspective gaining on her in flashes of light as the train moves through several tunnels. When he reaches her, he places a hand over her mouth and stabs her. The carriage is packed with costume-clad, drunken revellers and a barrage of external sounds blends with flashes of light to perfectly intensify the instance he plunges the blade. Although the moment lasts mere seconds, it feels like an excruciating eternity for the viewer. It’s kind of a piece of cinematic perfection.

Scream VI is far from perfect but it works. It’s not an atypical slasher but rather a contemporary blend of the subgenres with a convincing cast blending both seasoned and fresh talent. It’s a fun ride that manages to stay true to the franchise but absolutely turns things on its head. Using three killers did feel a tad illogical but it is also quite clever. Having the seemingly insignificant roommate Quinn unveiled as Ghostface number 3 was a bit of an issue for me personally. It didn’t quite work. But hey, it is a small discrepancy that I’m willing to overlook.  Is it time to wrap up this collective now or are there a few more chapters left in the tank? Scream 7 isn’t likely to be released until late 2024 or early 2025.