By Ti’Shay Dumas
Spooky Month may be over, Eagles! Yet we can still all appreciate one last and one of the best horror classics ever—SCREAM!
Scream is set in Woodsboro, California, around October 1996, but it was released on December 20, 1996. Weird, right? A first-class horror-murder mystery film to hit theaters, Scream was not expected to do well due to concerns over releasing a slasher film during the holiday season, but it went on to gross approximately $173 million worldwide! Everyone who worked on this movie did an amazing job putting everything together and making this movie a hit!
We begin in Woodsboro, a small town in California, where Casey Becker, played by Drew Barrymore, is a high school student. She’s home alone, getting ready to watch a movie when she suddenly gets a random call from an unknown number. That’s weird and entertaining. This is where we get the most infamous line in the whole universe of scary-classic-horror lines to ever exist: “What’s your favorite scary movie?” But after this, the conversation soon turns sadistic and scary, grabbing the audience's attention quickly. The unknown caller threatens her to listen carefully because she’s going to be given a test. If she can get this question right, she and her boyfriend, Steven Orth, played by Kevin Patrick Walls—who is tied up, beaten badly, and left on her patio—will live to see another day. And of course, they die. Lol. Steve dies from open cut guts, and Casey dies hanging from a tree.
Following that, in the next scene, we meet our main character, Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell. We follow her and her life as she deals with the first anniversary of her mother’s rape and murder, as well as a killer—or killers—on the loose, torturing her, her friends, and scaring the town. Who’s the killer? Tatum Riley, Sidney’s best friend, played by Rose McGowan? Gale Weathers, the news reporter, played by Courteney Cox? We don’t know, but it’s getting stranger and stranger.
Everyone loves Gale Weathers, Sidney Prescott, or Dewey Riley, but my favorites in the original have to be Stu Macher, Billy Loomis, and Randy Meeks. You have one character, a fun-loving goofball who's corny but loud and entertaining on screen. The other is stone-cold but cute, and you can’t help but take an interest in the lack of emotion he shows. Lastly, there’s the smart-butt character who’s a nerd and knows everything, but you can’t help but love them because they’re so iconic and make their screen time entertaining. Stu Macher is played by Matthew Lillard, and every time he acts, he really brings out his characters. Whether that’s through their energy or corniness, you can clearly see him having fun with his roles. You know Matthew isn’t going to let you down. Billy Loomis, played by Skeet Ulrich, is phenomenal for this role. I really enjoy his face, body language, and getting to watch his character go from a stone-cold but chilled guy to just a stone-cold killer. Randy Meeks, played by Jamie Kennedy, is so relatable. He brings common sense to the table, but he just doesn’t have any. He’s a party-goer and a huge nerd for horror, working at a movie store. What Jamie puts into his character is funny and enjoyable to watch.
My favorite scenes throughout the movie were the opening with Casey Becker’s phone call with Ghostface, the video store talk where Randy, Stu, and Billy discuss horror movies and foreshadow events, Sidney punching Gale in the face, Tatum’s garage scene trying to escape Ghostface, and the whole last 13 minutes of the movie. Each of these scenes has a special place in my heart, and each has a good, flowing pace of time. Nothing felt rushed or fast, but very crafted and well-written.
Scream is a masterpiece. For me, it earns a 5 out of 5 bloody knives. It has very crafted storytelling, unforgettable characters, and masterful direction. It’s self-aware that it’s a horror-slight comedy movie, and its clever plot twist? Amazing. Sidney Prescott's relatable journey, Randy Meeks' lovable persona, and Deputy Dewey's enduring charm make for an unforgettable cast. The film crew's skillful direction balances tension and release, utilizing camera angles, lighting, and music to create an iconic atmosphere. The film's influence on popular culture is undeniable, inspiring countless people and new or beginning filmmakers.
Scream's flawless blend of horror, suspense, and slight comedic effect, coupled with its enduring influence and iconic status, solidifies its position as one of the best horror films ever.
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