Scream (2022) Updates And Honors The Stabby Tradition

I went into Scream (2022) with low expectations. I am a fan of the first three Scream movies and found Scream 4 to be rather uninspiring. I was afraid Scream would be more in the vein of Scream 4, somewhat more self-serious with funny moments as opposed to an honest to goodness examination of the state of slashers.

I have good news folks, Scream (2022) gets it. 

Scream (2022) begins as all Scream movies do with a ringing phone. The phone is picked up by Tara, a high school student. The signature question game ensues although this time it is about the Stab series, the based-on-a-true-story film adaptations of the previous films. Tara, unlike the Casey Becker she’s typecast as, survives the initial stabbing by Ghostface and serves as the boon that brings our new team together. 

This movie is almost a textbook soft reboot — there’s a new team of main characters, the old favorites are largely in mentor roles and the film is so well versed in these tropes that they honor and satire them seamlessly. In fact, most modern horror tropes are on parade in this film, while still making them feel scary. 

Sidney Prescott comes in late, but the new kids in school come in hot. Many of these highschoolers are related to the original cast in some way and many of them feel just right for teenagers raised in the shadow of something horrible. This film’s Sidney for all intents and purposes is Sam (Melissa Berrera), who is Tara’s estranged older sister. Their chemistry is instant and electric, the highlight of any scene they’re in. 

There are moments in this film that are low blows at previous installments and praises of “elevated horror” that feel right at home in a Scream. It’s about more than just the gore or comedy, it’s about the mystery, the finger pointing and their fallout. Is some of the dialog clumpy and repetitive? Sure. But the pacing of the mystery and some of the line deliveries (“it’s been an honor” springs to mind) are always pitch perfect. The commentary about sequels and reboots feels refreshingly honest and reminds us that sometimes Hollywood maybe does pay attention. 

It’s not perfect but it feels of a piece with the other films in the franchise.

As seems to be the late 2021 into early 2022 trend, this film has something to say about fan culture and it may not come across as flattering. Will toxic fans see themselves in these choices? I don’t know, but the points made by the film are direct and cutting. I will be interested to see if this meta trend continues or if this is just a weird blip of self-awareness. 

And much like they did in the ’90s, Scream (2022) feels current. The costumes and styling of this movie is stellar, the old high school stand-by like the jock are cheek to cheek (sometimes quite literally) with e-girls, stoners and everything in between. 

The film pays sincere homage to what made the Scream movies special and builds on it. Is it all hits? No. But it’s a good mystery and a great time. Not only does this movie examine what made the Scream franchise special but it also examines how it would’ve shaped the tastes and attitudes of the generation after it. Some of the references to past characters feel undeserved but are largely solid. The kills are good, the mystery is fine and the commentary, while not groundbreaking, lands. 

The film ends, the cameras pan away and immediately “For Wes” is flashed before us. We know, movie, we know. 

I give Scream (2022) (Paramount Pictures; R; 1hr, 54mins) an 8 out of 10.