I Watched Every Scream Movie Before Halloween, And Here’s What Still Slaps (And What Doesn’t)

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With Halloween near and the new Scream VII coming out, I watched all the Scream movies – from the groundbreaking original in 1996 to the more recent, visually polished Scream VI from 2023. Some of them are truly great horror films that still stand up today, while others, like Scream 3, haven’t aged as well. But even with all the self-aware humor, misleading deaths, and complex mysteries, certain aspects of the series are still fantastic. Here’s a look at what still works really well in the Scream movies, and what doesn’t quite measure up.

Still Slaps – The Cold Opens Are The Gold Standard

It’s no secret that the Scream movies are horror staples, and they consistently deliver incredibly effective opening scenes. Whether it was Drew Barrymore in the original 1996 film or Jenna Ortega in the 2022 installment, Scream knows how to immediately hook viewers before the movie even officially begins.

Even the weaker films in the series, like Scream 3, attempt something creative right from the start. They don’t always pull it off, but they consistently try, and when they succeed, it’s a reminder of why Ghostface has become such a memorable horror villain after three decades.

The very first kill in a Scream movie isn’t just a quick scare – it establishes the entire mood of the film. Even now, these openings are still incredibly effective at surprising viewers. While Drew Barrymore’s opening scene in the original Scream is my personal favorite, the opening to the 2022 Scream movie is a close second, cleverly subverting what the audience expects.

Does Not Slap – Plot Armor Is Getting Out of Hand

This series was once known for keeping viewers guessing, with any character potentially facing danger. However, as the show has continued, it increasingly shields its main characters, making them seem unrealistically safe.

In Scream VI, Chad takes a beating – he’s stabbed several times by two Ghostface killers simultaneously, yet he’s carried away still smiling as if it were a minor stumble. He’s a likable character, but that was a bit much to believe.

If the main characters always survive, the tension disappears. It used to be frightening watching a Scream movie because anyone could die. Now, it’s easy to assume most of the characters will live, making it predictable and less exciting.

Still Slaps – The “Rules” Evolve With The Times

Whether it’s Randy explaining how to survive in the first film or Mindy cleverly analyzing horror movie tropes in Scream VI, the Scream series has always been insightful about how the horror genre changes over time. These moments of self-awareness aren’t just for fans—they actually show us what’s happening with horror movies at that particular moment.

Each Scream movie playfully comments on horror sequels. Scream 2 addressed the tropes of sequels, Scream 3 focused on trilogies, and the 2022 film played with the idea of a “requel.” By Scream VI, the series fully embraces franchise expectations – featuring returning characters, a central group of four, and twists simply for the sake of being surprising. It’s over-the-top, but the movie acknowledges its own absurdity, which is ultimately what makes it work.

The narration doesn’t distract from the action; it actually makes it better. By acknowledging its own patterns, the series keeps things fresh and exciting. It’s not simply aware of itself, but actively questions its own approach.

Does Not Slap – Some Killer Reveals Fizzle Out Hard

A key reason the Scream movies are so successful is how they reveal the identity of Ghostface in the final act. These reveals are often clever, satisfying, or at least enjoyable when you look back at the clues. Some reveals, like Billy & Stu, Jill, and Richie & Amber, are particularly well done. However, the reveals in Scream 3 (Roman) and Scream 2 (Mickey) haven’t aged as well, and opinions on the killer reveal in Scream 5 are quite divided.

If a movie’s big reveal doesn’t work, it makes everything that came before feel less impressive. It’s similar to creating an amazing haunted house, only to have the final fright be something cheap and disappointing.

The Scream series understands its weaknesses, and Scream VI improves by concentrating more on the method of the killings rather than simply who the killer is. However, the movie still occasionally suffers from reveals that don’t feel impactful or seem forced.

Still Slaps – The Survivors Are Actually Worth Rooting For

Many horror series use characters simply to be killed off, but Scream focuses on building connections with its audience. Sidney, Gale, and Dewey weren’t just standard horror character types; they evolved throughout the series, experienced hardship, and—as we saw with Dewey—faced real consequences.

What really stands out is how the new movies (Scream 2022 and Scream VI) keep you emotionally connected to the characters. Sam and Tara Carpenter, particularly when their relationship is explored, are complex and feel very real – which is unusual for slasher films. They aren’t always sympathetic, but that doesn’t matter. You still find yourself invested in their fate.

Okay, so Mindy and Chad are genuinely funny and surprisingly heartfelt – they really carry this installment. What I also loved is they didn’t just bring back old faces like Gale for the sake of it; they actually found new things to do with them. It’s rare for a series like this, but I never felt like I was suffering from ‘final girl fatigue’ – it still feels fresh and engaging!

Does Not Slap – The Finales Are Getting a Little Too Monologue-Happy

It’s easy for the endings of Scream movies to become too complicated, and recent installments are starting to feel that way. The first Scream got it right – it was fast-paced and suspenseful, with just the right amount of explanation to make sense of everything.

I’ve noticed something lately that’s been bothering me a bit. In Scream VI, everyone just talks and talks – the killers especially! They launch into these incredibly long explanations, almost like they’re giving a lecture. And then the people who survive respond with these big, emotional speeches about everything they’ve been through, what happened before, and what they think is right. It’s all really well-acted, but honestly, it slows things down. It’s supposed to be a scary, fast-paced movie, not a group therapy session!

I get why they’re experimenting with these new ideas, and I think they want to say something meaningful. But honestly, by the time we finally get to the main part of the story, it feels like we’ve already had three different endings and way too many characters just talking to themselves! It really feels like they could have told the story more powerfully by simplifying things and cutting back a bit.

Still Slaps – The Set Pieces Still Deliver

Great slasher films are remembered for their iconic scenes. Unlike some horror movies, Scream doesn’t depend on ghosts or complicated traps. It’s simple: a killer with a knife, and a lot of suspenseful moments created through careful planning of how the scenes play out.

What makes the strongest installments in this series still work so well is the way the key suspenseful moments are filmed. Think of the car chase in Scream 2, the blackout attack in Scream 3, or the ladder sequence in Scream VI. Even when the stories aren’t perfect, these scenes are brilliantly paced and visually exciting.

Ghostface isn’t the most graceful horror villain – he often trips and stumbles – but he’s incredibly effective at building suspense on camera.

The Final Cut

Watching all the Scream movies one after another is really interesting. It’s like seeing how horror films have changed over time. The violence gets more intense, the jokes get quicker, and the endings become more chaotic. But even with all those changes, Scream consistently delivers what it does best: entertaining, clever, self-aware horror that still focuses on the characters involved – both the victims and the killer.

The opening scenes are still incredibly strong, and the movie continues to be cleverly self-aware. Despite a few predictable twists and characters who seem impossible to kill, Scream is still one of the top horror series being made today.

Even though the killer changes in each Scream movie, the suspense, excitement, and guessing game of who will be targeted next are consistently great. If you’re making a Halloween watchlist – or just enjoy scary movies year-round like I do – the Scream franchise is definitely worth checking out, because every movie in the series has something to offer.

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2025-10-21 16:53