Scream VI review: Ghostface stabs another solid sequel

What's your favorite horror movie? Ghostface takes on Manhattan in Scream VI, the new meta-slasher movie that continues the iconic franchise. This film is a direct sequel to 2022's Scream, following Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega), and their friends who now live in New York. A year after the events of the previous film, Ghostface returns and hunts down our heroes. This film is another solid sequel to the Scream series, delivering the killer thrills and meta-humor you've come to expect.

If Scream 2022 was a "requel" to the original Scream, this film is a sequel to Scream 2. Similar to Stallone's decision not to return for Creed III, franchise veteran Neve Campbell decided not to not appear in Scream VI during a pay dispute, making it the first film in the series not to feature Sidney Prescott. His character's absence from the film makes sense while allowing the film to focus on its new set of characters. Additionally, the film further develops Tara as a character while showing what has happened to Sam's life since the events of the previous film. We also have more screen time for twins Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown), who are both likable in the film.

The opening sequence begins as a predictable sequence leading to a kill but quickly reverses an expectation and takes a new path. Since the introduction of our new killer, we have our Scream movie, which features some of the most intense footage in the series. There's a sequence involving a ladder that will make your palms sweat, and an extended sequence in the subway plays with the idea of ​​Halloween night, a night with lots of people dressed as Ghostface. This film leans into the horror and gore of the series more than others because, as Randy once taught us, the murders are more brutal in the sequel.

Fans of the series can appreciate how this film pays homage to the other films. It references the events of every Scream movie before it, with a large room featuring elements from its predecessors. The film also brings back Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed from Scream 4, a moment that may draw applause from die-hard fans. There are plenty of scenes that fans of the show will love, and some will love the meta-humor this film offers, even if it doesn't feature the show's strongest commentary.

There are a few issues with the film, namely the way the marketing advertises the film's New York setting, but doesn't place the film in distinctly New York locations besides the subway scene. Making an NYC Scream movie have its last act entirely inside is a waste. Plus, the movie has to explain why so many people still own landline phones, and there's some weak, on-the-nose dialogue. The film casts Skeet Ulrich more as CGI Billy Loomis when his role in the series really should have ended at the first. Finally, the film's final act is disappointing, with a few predictable twists that don't have the intended impact. Also, some characters survive a few scenes they normally wouldn't have survived.

However, Scream VI does a lot of good with the franchise. It welcomes a new generation of Scream fans to a film that knows how to combine the new with the old. Barrera and Ortega give great performances, and Courtney Cox is once again fantastic as Gale Weathers, even if the film reverses her character arc entirely from the previous film. The writing may prevent the film from being one of Scream's best sequels, but no one can deny the hold a killer like Ghostface can have on its audience. Hopefully this series will be back.

RATING: 7/10

As ComingSoon's review policy explains, a score of 7 equals "Good". A successful entertainment that is worth seeing, but which may not please everyone.