by Diana Gebbia, Contributing Writer

You might think you know the rules to survive a horror movie, but Radio Silence’s Scream VI will make you question them all. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and producer Chad Villella raise all the stakes in this film, which might be the franchise’s scariest one yet.

Sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter (Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega) are enjoying their new lives in New York City, one year after surviving the latest Woodsboro Murders of Scream (2022). But, their “happy ending” is soon interrupted by another serial killer donning the infamous Ghostface mask. And this time, no one is safe.

Fans were worried about how Scream VI would fare without its star Neve Campbell, but it definitely holds its own. Fan-favorites from Scream (2022) Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown) join Sam and Tara in the Big Apple to form the “core four.” Their endearing dynamic makes it easy to accept them as our new friends. 

It also helped that Radio Silence brings back Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) from Scream IV. Panettiere, along with Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers satisfy the craving for nostalgia that Campbell’s Sidney Prescott and David Arquette’s Dewey Riley previously provided.

Scream VI reinvents the franchise in a new and exciting way. This movie will have you questioning everything you see from the moment it starts. It’s filled with exciting twists and turns, and plenty of brutal action-packed kills. And somehow, this Ghostface feels even more sinister than the ones who came before. 

Moving the gang to NYC was a brilliant idea on Radio Silence’s part. In a way, the Big Apple’s rich history, bold inhabitants, and bustling streets give it a personality of its own. It’s a stark contrast from quiet and picturesque Woodsboro. And it’s no secret that the city is crime-ridden — making it that much easier for a serial killer to blend in. 

It just wouldn’t be a Scream movie without homages to its predecessors, and Scream VI has plenty to go around. Franchise fans will appreciate the clever callbacks sprinkled throughout the plot. Some are obvious, and others are more discreet. Fans will want to watch a second and third time to make sure they caught all the Easter eggs. 

Both Barrera and Ortega deliver solid performances as the Carpenter sisters, as the two further explore their tumultuous relationship. But, Savoy Brown steals the show as Mindy, the niece of the horror movie fanatic Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) from the first two films. She delivers as much passion, heart, and enthusiasm as Kennedy did in his role. Mindy’s similarities to her late uncle bring familiarity and comfort.

Scream VI’s is innovative yet respectful to Wes Craven’s original films. That’s not an easy feat to accomplish. Its captivating story, fun Easter eggs, and gruesome kills make it one of the franchise’s best movies.

Score: 8/10

Scream VI is currently playing in theaters


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