Review: SCREAM VI Is a Clever, Twisted, and Brutal Entry in The Horror Franchise

I’ve been a huge fan of the Scream franchise since director Wes Craven’s very first film was released in 1996. It reinvented the horror genre and gave it a fresh new take that audiences embraced. It’s so crazy that all these years later the Scream franchise is alive and well and still pumping out great and thrilling new chapters.

When the franchise was taken over by Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Scream, Ready or Not) I was curious, but also kept my expectations in check. I was pleasantly surprised with their first Scream movie, and now we’ve got Scream VI, and I’m going to tell you… they definitely stepped it up with it’s New York City location and with how they progressed the story forward with these characters.

If you're looking for a wild, blood-soaked ride, Scream VI is sure to satisfy you! This sixth installment of the iconic horror franchise delivers all the heart-stopping scares and tongue-in-cheek humor that fans have come to expect from the Scream movies. But, this one definitely switches things up a bit and now the characters are well aware that they are in a franchise now, and to keep the franchise alive things have got to get a little crazier and expectations need to be subverted, which this movie does.

From the opening sequence to a shocking finale, this film doesn’t hold back from going to dark, unexpected places. Fans of the series will also love the nods to previous installments, while newcomers will be drawn in by the fresh new characters, the film's stylish direction, and expertly crafted scares. The movie is unrelenting in its depiction of brutal violence and gore.

While fans of the series will recognize the iconic Ghostface killer, this time around, the filmmakers have dialed up the intensity to truly horrific levels. As promised, this is a version of Ghostface that we’ve never experienced before, as he’s a “bolder, more brazen Ghostface” hunting down and murdering its prey. His kills are visceral and brutal, and the VFX team must’ve had a lot of fun bringing to life the realistic blood and gore that is sure to make audiences squirm. The film doesn't shy away from showing the full extent of its violence on screen.

The movie will also make an emotional impact on fans that have come to enjoy these characters. The film's script takes care to establish these characters before putting them in the killer’s way, which makes each death all the more devastating. But, one thing I like most about the movie was how it subverts audience expectations. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, the film pulls the rug out from under you with a shocking twist or unexpected turn of events. This keeps viewers on edge throughout the film, never quite sure what's going to happen next.

I thought I had it all figured out, but when the end of the movie came, I was dead wrong. I’m usually pretty good at guessing what’s going to happen and who the killer will be under the mask, but in this case, I didn’t manage to crack it. I liked the ending! I like what they ended up doing in continuing the story. The film's script takes care to leave breadcrumbs and red herrings throughout the story, keeping viewers engaged and invested in the mystery.

Another standout element of the film's story is its use of meta-horror. The Scream franchise has always been known for how self-aware it is, and Scream VI has a lot of fun playing with that as well. After comments that the filmmaker made about the movie, I was worried that this aspect of the film would be lost, but I was happy to see that it is still very much intact and at the heart of the franchise.

The film's characters are not only aware of the horror genre, but they actively engage with it, commenting on tropes and cliches and even using their knowledge to try to outsmart the killer. This self-referential aspect of the film's story adds a layer of depth and complexity that sets it apart from other horror films.

Overall, I had a lot of fun watching Scream VI, and it’s a film that is sure to leave fans of the franchise wanting another sequel.