Scream (2022) Movie Review
Nathan Swank
January 15th, 2022
Do you like scary movies? In 1996, teenagers (and adults) flooded the movie theaters for Wes Craven’s SCREAM, the reguvination of the slasher horror film genre that was fully aware of itself calling out the formula and problematic cliches of all that came before it. It was smart, scary, and funny with a clever twist ending. I was one of those impressionable young teens in highschool who also believed those scary movies were sometimes too dumb to fully enjoy (I have slightly better appreciation now). But SCREAM was a new form of scary entertainment and I was in love. Now, 25 years later, after a few sequels, SCREAM is back! But this time it’s… SCREAM.
Following in the footsteps of other recent horror film sequels that share the name of their original (HALLOWEEN, CHILD’S PLAY, CANDYMAN), SCREAM (2022), staying true to form, is fully aware of the situation. As one character (the prototypical movie expert) so aptly explains, this time it’s not a sequel nor a remake, but a “Re-quel.” She goes on to explain that in order for the story to work we need the “legacy” characters to reintroduce the new cast. Sure enough, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox), and Dewey Riley (David Arquette) all return in supporting, but pivotal roles as characters who know the rules on how to survive any new Ghostface killers.
SCREAM (2022) isn’t extremely memorable, but it might be about as good as you could possibly make a fifth installment of this particular 25-year-old horror film. The thing that stood the original SCREAM apart is it’s self awareness of existing in a world where all horror movies exist and our characters have audience knowledge of what to or not to do, even if they sometimes foolishly counter it with another dumb move. This fresh take that was so unique is difficult to capture again, since it’s already been done. While SCREAM (2022) does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the first and replicating some of the smarts and fun, it’s still been done before, making it all feel a bit watered down.
Once again, we open up in the town of Woodsboro with a babysitter receiving a mysterious call that quickly turns sinister. SCREAM (2022) modernizes the situation using cell phone technology with text messages, phone tracking, and accessible flashlights. Now in a world where the previous SCREAM murders exist and even the STAB movies made about them within the movies, the characters have a new savyness. I particularly like the joke on how the current babysitter prefers elevated horror films like, IT FOLLOWS, HEREDITARY, and her favorite, THE BABADOOK – a movie-lover after my own heart.
I’m curious what new, young audience members will think of SCREAM (2022) as the film leans heavily into the 1996 original. Melissa Barrera (IN THE HEIGHTS) and the rest of the cast are adequate with a few standouts, particularly Jack Quaid (The Boys) as the boyfriend, but there seems to be a lack of energy and even mystery that was so prevalent in the original. It’s funny to think some of the cast wasn’t even born when the original was released.
Ultimately, SCREAM (2022), directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (READY OR NOT), is a clever “re-quel” that captures the essence of the original with self-awareness, humor and misdirection. However, outside of a few scenes, the story and scares simply aren’t up to snuff. Those that know and love the original will have a great time with SCREAM (2022), but like many sequels, it’s probably more of a one time watch rather than a regular revisit.
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