Scream

Twenty-five years after Woodsboro was terrorized by a string of killings, a new Ghostface appears and starts picking off a fresh group of teenagers, dragging old wounds back into the open. The story follows Sam and her younger sister Tara, who are pulled into the chaos as their classmates and friends become targets. As the town’s history intrudes on the present, familiar rules about survival and horror movies are referenced, gossip spreads fast, and alliances shift. The film keeps the identity of the killer and key revelations under wraps, focusing instead on suspicion, fear, and how the past keeps influencing the people left behind.

Directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, the 2022 entry was developed by James Vanderbilt, Guy Busick, and Kevin Williamson, and arrives as a continuation of the long-running Scream franchise meant to bridge original fans and a younger audience.

The movie helped revive mainstream interest in legacy horror sequels, prompting conversations about how long-running franchises adapt to social media and streaming culture. Ghostface’s return became a frequent topic online, and the film boosted profiles for several younger cast members who joined an established mythos.

Critics responded with a mix of praise and reservation, noting clever nods to genre conventions and energetic set pieces while pointing out familiar plotting and reliance on franchise history. The film leans into themes of legacy, the impact of past violence on new generations, fandom and performative grief, and how horror rules are reshaped by online life.

Commercially, the film performed well enough to justify further franchise installments and to reassure studios that Scream could still draw audiences. Its release reignited box office interest in theatrical horror, and studios took note of the viability of combining legacy characters with fresh faces.