Scream VI: Movie Review & Spoilers
Synopsis: Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. In Scream VI, Melissa Barrera ("Sam Carpenter"), Jasmin Savoy Brown ("Mindy Meeks-Martin"), Mason Gooding ("Chad Meeks-Martin"), Jenna Ortega ("Tara Carpenter"), Hayden Panettiere ("Kirby Reed"), and Courtney Cox ("Gale Weathers") return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra and Samara Weaving.
Review: The newest addition to the Scream franchise, Scream Six, is hilarious and witty. The movie opens with blood, laughter, and screams to set up for the actual showing of Ghostface and the hiding of all their cards. Scream Six continues with main characters Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) and Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) in New York attempting to flee Ghostface and their past. There Tara intends to immerse herself in college life as her way of moving on. At the same time, Sam attends therapy to dig deeper into her muddied feelings about killing the previous Ghostface in Wilmington. Friends Chad Meeks-Martin(Mason Gooding) and Mindy Meeks-Martin(Jasmin Savoy Brown) journey with them from Wilmington and attend college with Tara. Their friendship is well set up within the film as people with shared trauma and family willing to do anything for each other. While in New York, they find new friends, lovers, and allies.
However, no one is to be trusted as Tara and Sam are being sought out specifically by the killer, and it could be anyone among them. Human error is always at play, and it is challenging to try and weed out those who may or not be your enemy. Emotions fluctuate throughout the movie, leaving the audience on edge during the heaviest parts and flailing back at the funniest. The film is wonderfully constructed, with an outstanding balance of novelty and callbacks. With this, Scream Six has something for everyone. It is an enriching experience for Scream enthusiasts and casual watchers.
The slasher stays true to its foundation of meta, comedy, and blood. However, the witty remarks and smart moves of those who Ghostface hunts down make this movie stand out. Sam and Tara are not going down without a fight and continue to be strong protagonists fueled, not hindered, by their fear. Once again, very balanced actions of aggression and vulnerability. While there are both themes from the past and new aspects added to the franchise, the appeal of Ghostface moving to the big city was lost as nothing especially pointed to the film taking place in New York. No monuments or unique New York attributes could make the audience feel like this was a new mold for Scream and Ghostface. A showing of either could have made the movie even more hilarious and gory.
During this movie, Mindy is spot on with the requel rules that everyone is susceptible to murder. In this movie, no one is safe, and the movie's production does indeed stick with that narrative. There is no safe place for our beloved characters, even our "Core Four," who has made us fall in love with them and their deep connection. Of this Core Four, Mindy's character serves as an aid and reflects the audience's feelings or thoughts. We mirror her as she mirrors us, drawing the audience into the movie further. Chad's lovingness and protector qualities make him a lovable teddy-bear-like character we'd hate to see go. Sam's darkness that she gets from her father, Billy Loomis, leaves the audience stewing, wondering if she will or won't. Finally, Tara's mood swings like characteristics, yet her headstrong decisions make her relatable and a great partner to her sister. We await wondering what she can do against such a persistent killer.
Although the movie is full of hints of who Ghostface could be, it does a great job of never leading the audience to who it is too soon. Even in the final moments, it could be anyone. The final scene is a rush of emotions that continues to be anyone's guess. Once you figure out who is behind it, you get the complete picture of the puzzle you've been putting together in your head. I implore you to watch the newest edition of the franchise Scream Six even if you've seen "way too many movies."
Rotten Tomatoes Current Score: 77%
THAheadline Score (THAscore): 8/10
Check out the final trailer: