Scream VI

 

This review may contain spoilers!

 

Scream VI is the latest instalment in the Scream franchise and sees the Carpenter sisters targeted yet again by the Ghostface killer, this time in a little old town called New York City. This movie shows a great deal of love and understanding for what these Scream movies do while going above and beyond to teel its own story and leave you guessing. The opening of these films always really sets the bar very early on, and I was quite impressed by how much my expectations were exceeded. The touch of having recent horror icon and up and comer, Samara Weaving, flaunt a thick Aussie accent while portraying an associate film professor was brilliant. But again, seeing the film take your expectations for where the scene goes and bleeding it into something else entirely was that piece of writing that really set this film apart for me. The whole film we get to see the Carpenters, Mindy and Chad recount and recover from the last attack in Scream while also growing their relationships in new ways. Sam is struggling to find herself in amongst a flood of online hate for killing the last Ghostface, while Tara is trying to break away from her sister's protection and live more freely. The branching relationships in this feature is what makes trying to decipher the new Ghostface, who is counting their way down from the previous nine killers, so fascinating. I was really drawn into the mystery and trying to decipher the whole thing as much as the 'Core Four' was. The eventual payoff and reveal of Ghostface is really satisfying but better yet is the character development it lends Sam and Tara, their final actions against the killer made for a powerful end to the feature. And honestly? The meta commentary in this one is skillfully used both for comedy but to also keep you guessing; that speaks highly to what this feature was able to pull off. Scream has always had a wicked sense of humour paired with compelling mystery but the fact these aspects blend in this one really elevates it.

I seriously got to go on record and say this might well be one of the best looking Scream films we've had yet. I mean on a base level props to the special effects and make-up crew for making this one of the goriest and most visceral entries in the series to date. But beyond that, the way this film is shot from the intro to the shrine or even my two favourite scenes: the subway and the Gale Weathers apartment scenes, this film is just brimming with creative camera work. It moves at sharp, frantic speed, holds character expression really well and pauses to give you some of the spectacular frames we're going to get in horror this year. The editing sets a brilliant pace, and scenes come together in a way that really intertwines with the tone of the moment. The score here is exceptional, haunting but also very frantic. The music draws you right out of your seat and teeters you right on the very edge is some very key moments.

 

Melissa Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter, is perfect as the new protagonist of the Scream series; she plays some one with a survivor's strength very well and the moments where she gets to splash a bit of darkness into her performance is really good. Courteney Cox, who played Gale Weathers, continues to portray this arrogant yet heroic reporter figure well; Cox's last scene in the feature is a firm reminder why she is one of the staples of this film series. Jenna Ortega, who played Tara Carpenter, plays the conflict between her and her on-screen sister rather well; I loved seeing Ortega get to gain a bit more independence than just the 'little sister' in this one. Mason Gooding, who played Chad Meeks-Martin, really gets to lean into his more charismatic side in this one; Gooding and Ortega's romantic subplot is quite sweet and a fine point of the film. Devyn Nekoda, who played Anika, is quite a small role but a very memorable one; I enjoyed her kicking off the feature by sticking up for Ortega's character. Josh Segarra, who played Danny Brackett, is actually a really nice contrast to the Richie character from Scream; I adored his chemistry with Barrera and how safe they seemed around one another. Liana Liberato, who played Quinn Bailey, is a very quirky and funny roommate character when first we meet her; Liberato is a real standout newcomer in the first act and her vicious streak in the final act is a real high point too. Tony Revolori, who played Jason Carvey, is a character you will hate portrayed expertly; watching Revolori craft a role who goes from a reviling confidence to fear is something that sets the bar for the film in the first two scenes. Samara Weaving, who played Laura Crane, had some fun playing this nerdy film professor out on a date; watching Weaving really ham up that thick Australian accent and nervousness in a sharp contrast to her recent 'scream queen' roles was a real treat. Dermot Mulroney, who played Detective Bailey, is a cop with a real schmoozy way of delivering lines but also presenting a lot of heart; watching mulroney take the final act by storm was something that really impressed me.

However, the best performance came from Jasmin Savoy Brown, who played Mindy Meeks-Martin. In the first two Scream films Randy was one of my favourite characters, he contributed to the narrative while also entirely dissecting the slasher genre with his quickfire wit. What Savoy Brown brings is really this generation's equivalent, I was entirely impressed with how she stole the show in the fifth film. But here? Here she is entirely one of my new favourite characters. She has such excellent delivery that is hilarious and moves quickly while holding your attention. Her massive rant about horror franchises was one of the best pieces of character delivery in the film. Her sense of alarm and fear is really raw and just hiding under the surface; the moment she is first attacked peels back layers of the cocky jokester she often presents as. A small storyline that goes really hand in hand with this is her chemistry with Nekoda; their final scene together is tragic and one of the most raw, emotional performances we get.

Scream VI starts off rather strong but then the first act does drag the heels somewhat. I think my big glaring problem with this one was how much time we had to spend talking about what had come before and catching up with the characters to see how they were doing. While it affirmed character growth, arcs and relationships well there's not really much denying that it went on for quite a while. It also meant that you felt how full the cast on this one was, we spent ages just getting to know the new or returning roles before this film could really gain some traction.

Hayden Panettierre, who played Kirby Reed, is back in the franchise after her role in Scream 4 and it's not the most necessary return role; Panettiere has a very straight-edged delivery that comes off as dull and monotonous at times. Jack Champion, who played Ethan, is a young performer I could do with seeing less of in my films of late; Champion contends with little screen presence and segues to melodrama in the final act which I wasn't very well impressed by. Henry Czerny, who played Dr. Christopher Stone, was entirely unconvincing as a therapist; Czerny spoke his lines but gave nothing to them that crafted an engaging role.

 

Probably my new favourite entry in the Scream franchise. I would give Scream VI an 8.5/10.