Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Story By: James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick

Cast: Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Jenna Ortega, Dylan Minnette, David Arquette, Marley Shelton, Mikey Madison, Courteney Cox, & Neve Campbell 

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Did we really need this 2022 installment? Not really, BUT I am starting to see a pattern that makes me think otherwise with some appreciation. 

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Below are my grades for key components in #Scream2022 that I find to be key in any story/film—Theme, Plot, Pacing, and Character (pertaining to arc/development &/or delivery). FYI: My A=95, A- =90, B=85, B-=80…etc. My D- =60 and my F=50

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Theme: A-

Plot & Story: C

Pacing: A

Character: A-

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Entertainment Factors

General Public: Interesting Enough

Film Enthusiasts: Don’t Watch

Experience Seekers (via Visuals & Score): Don’t Watch 

Slasher Fans: Worth the Watch/$$$

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TAKEAWAYS:

1. Scream 2022 is a slasher about a masked killer on the loose in a town again after nearly 25 years, who seems to be inspired by a popular slasher film based on the town and its famed killer. 

The film wastes no time taking audiences back to 1996 with a 2022 spin in the first 10 minutes. Everyone in my theater literally starting clapping after the film’s introduction. From there, Act One introduced us to key characters as well as a personal conflict for a main character that served as fuel for the plot which I found to be a little forced and poorly executed. 

Act Two was all about the nostalgia—both in characters and franchise reminiscing—and giving some pretty engaging “kills.” There were moments in the writing between kills that were “cute” and “funny,” but a little odd at times for me. 

Act Three was interesting…it honestly dragged a bit with the kills (I mean, there seemed to be so much running of the mouth and anticipation for some twist, surprise, or “gotcha” moments), BUT also had nostalgic qualities that kept you hooked. Oh, but the “final kill”… … … I am on the fence about. 🤷🏾‍♂️

2. Soooo… did they just go to Netflix and ask for teen series stars? 👀🤷🏾‍♂️😂

3. That hospital kill scene, though…🤭👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

4. One thought that comes to mind when I think about the messaging of this film is “Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity,” and the film does a pretty good job getting this theme across. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

What this slasher did well was house this theme in 2 different aspects of the story—within a character and via the core of the story’s premise. And actually…even via the killer. 

Act One reveals to the audience the connection of the theme to a character. The issue for me is that the film doesn’t utilize the connection as much as it could’ve. Instead, it only brings it up when the plot needs something to help it move along. 

Acts Two and Three work to develop and carry though the connection with the premise, and I find it to be the strongest thematic connection—especially how everything wraps up in Act Three. 

5. This film moves well. The nostalgia and youthfulness really adds a nice rhythm to how this slasher moves. 👍🏾

6. To piggyback off point #2, was I the only one super excited to see Dylan Minnette? 😬😩🙌🏾

7. Now who was Asian officer bae? 👀😍

8. They were SOOO childish playing with that them damn refrigerator door! 😂😂

9. I know one thing… the slasher was getting that work more often than I remember in other films. 👀😂

10. The star of the film—our slasher—understood the assignment. Outside of our ghost face killer, Jasmin Savoy Brown was my favorite character in the film, and the one I found myself most invested in. Jack Quaid delivered a very engaging, yet predictable character (and maybe it was intentional, especially how things come together in Act Three) who also embodied the theme well. And then of course, there’s Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell. Together, they were a joy. 

My disappointment (and it’s not a huge disappointment) was with Melissa Barrera’s character because of how the film didn’t quite flush out her connection with the theme.  🤷🏾‍♂️

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Overall #Scream2022 gives Scream 1996 – meets Candyman 2021 – meets Matrix Resurrections Act One – meets Halloween Kills – meets There’s Someone Inside Your House. 

I am starting to see a pattern with these slasher remakes—they may not be the most unique and creative, and actually could easily be streamable, but in a pandemic while theaters are still open… they serve the purpose of bringing folks together for a shared good time through the heavy nostalgia, and I guess I can appreciate that.