Scream IV 2023 (R)

“There’s a darkness inside of me. It followed me here. And it’s going to keep coming for us.” Samantha says bleakly, realizing that she can’t escape her past forever.

Scream IV is the New York bound sixth installment in the long running Scream series. This franchise is a favorite of many (including myself) and is a staple in the horror genre. Scream IV, directed by Tyler Gillit and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, is no different, an instant hit with fans new and old. Known for their mystery and slasher elements, they always keep the viewer guessing who is behind the iconic Ghostface mask. As far as sequels go, this film is impressive, sticking to tradition while also innovating and taking the franchise somewhere it’s never been before.

The characters surviving the murders in Woodsboro, previously seen in Scream 5, move to the Big Apple to start over. While some old wounds are still healing, they soon find out that some new wounds are soon to form. Samantha (Melissa Barrera) and Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), the main characters of this and the last film, are now in New York and trying to heal from the incident in Woodboro the year before. They and their friends, new and old, soon become under attack by a new Ghostface killer, and must fight if they wish to survive. With gallons of blood spilled and the goriest kills in the franchise, it seems this Ghostface is playing for keeps. As the characters try to escape them, it’s clear that this time the wounds of the past may prove to be overwhelming. 

This film is a huge jump in scale for the franchise, the setting of New York alone boosts it to new heights. The Big Apple feels huge with the large cityscapes, public attacks and more options for victims. The Ghostface is also one of the best and most efficient, his iconic voice still supplied by the wonderful Roger L. Jackson. The movie also jumps up a level in blood and gore, having the most brutal kills in the whole franchise by far. The characters are another highlight of this movie with the returning characters including legacy characters like Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) who are both strong and witty as always. The newer characters like the Meeks twins Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad (Mason Gooding) are also excellent, being fun and relatable. This film is probably a new favorite for many. While dipping into less believable territory at times, it still keeps most of its realism. It is highly recommended to see this slasher flick while it’s still in theaters and experience the highest scale the franchise has seen.