Scream (2022)

The 2022 film Scream, the fifth installment and direct sequel to 2011's  Scream 4, takes place 25 years after the original Woodsboro killings. A new Ghostface begins targeting teens connected to the town’s dark past, drawing the final three survivors from the first attack back into the chaos.

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the film blended sequel and remake elements in a self-aware, meta style that felt both familiar and fresh. The plot cleverly mirrored the original Scream but faltered slightly with an unoriginal twist and some overused jump scares.

A major highlight was its representation, featuring people of color in prominent roles with meaningful development, which added authenticity to the cast. The film paid homage to the deceased Wes Craven’s style while pushing the franchise forward. The new directors raised the stakes by putting legacy characters in real danger and delivering more intense, realistic violence, with Ghostface using brutal, drawn-out attacks. However, the killer’s seemingly superhuman strength still strained believability.

Despite some missteps, Scream (2022) successfully honored its roots while charting a new future for the franchise.

Scream 4

Scream 4, released in 2011, picked up 11 years after Scream 3, set ten years after the original Woodsboro murders. The story followed one of the survivors, on a book tour in their hometown, promoting their autobiography about healing and finding a new life after surviving immense trauma, only to face a new Ghostface killer targeting a fresh group of teens.

After a 25-year hiatus since Scream 3, I finally revisited Woodsboro during my fall film marathon, and it was worth the wait. While the plot felt familiar and somewhat unoriginal on the surface, the film delivered a satisfying twist that captured the classic "whodunit" feel. It was also great to see the return of the original cast, adding continuity and emotional depth.

This film was Wes Craven’s final directorial work, showcasing his signature blend of horror and humor that broadened the genre’s appeal. It boldly shifted tone by reflecting the 2000s "torture porn" trend, presenting more graphic kills and pushing the franchise’s boundaries on violence. 

What truly sets this franchise apart is its self-aware humor and meta-commentary, making the violence less overwhelming, honoring the original trilogy’s spirit, while also challenging viewers to rethink modern horror. Because of this, Scream 4 was a sharp, witty, and brutally self-aware film that highlighted why Wes Craven was a master of horror.