By Maalik Hawkins
Trinity Times Movie Reviewer
“Scream VI” is the next installment of the cinematic merciless deeds of Ghostface and it appears to be the best sequel in the “Scream” franchise to date.
In this sixth chapter in the thriller series, “Scream VI” amps up the killings and switches up the scenery.
The first five “Scream” movies were all set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, but this film transports the characters and the audience to a New York City college campus.
Scream movies always have an opening slaughter and the introductory slaying for this film is ingenious.
It’s hard to imagine anyone predicting the course of this first kill, but since this is a spoiler-free movie review, that teaser is all the reader will get into the gore ahead or too much of the scripted plot points.
The film features the final four survivors from “Scream” 2022, sisters Tara and Sam Carpenter – played by Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera – and the Meek twins – played by Jasmine Brown and Mason Gooding – finding them far from their spooked-out suburban homeland, yet still dealing with the aftermath of the last Ghostface killer.
Though the final four are all now living in New York, their past is still haunting them in different ways.
Sam is paranoid and still doesn’t feel safe, despite the change in location. She is also battling inner demons that may connect her to her father Billy Loomis’s side hobbies more than she thought.
Tara, on the other hand, is now in college and trying to move forward with her life.
This difference in mindset creates tension between the sisters.
The plotline in “Scream VI” brings fresh variations to the franchise’s original tropes.
The slayings, environment, and style are distinctive and keep the audience on the edge of their seat in figuring out the identity of the new Ghostface.
“Scream VI” brings back some elder statesmen cast members, such as Gale (Courtney Cox) to warm the hearts of super fans, and some mystery all-star guest appearances.
Serious detective skills and note taking are needed to guess the identity of the predator.
The film has great replay value and viewers will more than likely want to give the film a second look to see the provided hints before the final Ghostface reveal.
With a $33 million budget, “Scream VI” grossed $75 million after its first week in the theaters and franchise producers are already pushing for a seventh film. After that kind of a profit in the first week, it’s hard to imagine there won’t be another chapter in this series.
“Scream VI” proves the franchise still has room to electrify its audience and keep them coming back for more Ghostface slaughters.
The chemistry between the “Scream VI” final four is impenetrable and they prove that the franchise can finally move past the original and beloved final girl, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell).
Everyday Moviegoers – 9.2/10
Critics – 7.7/10
Cinephiles – 8.8/10
– – –
Maalik Hawkins is a graduate student at Trinity Washington University.