“Scream VI” thrills and knows what makes a good, scary movie (Review)
Written by Victor DeBonis
It feels good to see this recent entry of this horror franchise continue developing the thrills, ideas, and other elements that made the previous installment and “Scream” in general, resonate with other as it does and has in the past. I will freely admit. Working on a sequel one year immediately following the previous installment, even if the previous entry brought the franchise roaring back to life in gripping and honoring fashion, initially caused some concern. As much as I admired this franchise for helping inspire my interest in horror and providing an opportunity for talented artists, in front of and behind the camera, to show some of their greatest work, I also believe in the importance of allowing franchises to carefully plan out their paths ahead to avoid falling into the traps of losing fans’ interest or moving too quickly.
The actors certainly play a big part in helping this movie succeed. Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera return and maintain their balance of vulnerability and razor-sharp wits amidst their deadly situation. During the horrific moments, they keep on their toes and on high alert as they make quick decisions that are usually daring yet smart given their overwhelming situations of terror. In particular, Ortega voices a believable fury and playfulness as she does her best to enjoy her new life in different surroundings, and her eyes provide a perfect window to displaying her strong amount of love for those who she cares about in her life. Furthermore, the sisterly connection between these two is still very believable. Regardless of the heated intensity of some of their exchanges, the familial love between these two is undeniably strong, and the strength of their relationship speaks loudly from both their expressions of concern for the other and their actions against those continuing to remind them of the trauma lingering over their family. The heart of these recent movies fiercely beats in part from this bond, and it displays considerable light through all of the vicious action and horror.
Hayden Panettiere returns to this franchise and expresses playfully dark lines and comebacks without ever losing sight of her rapidly thinking instincts, and Courtney Cox is as humorous and devoted as she always is in her pursuits of developing her stellar career and tackling menacing killers. Once again, Mason Gooding is laid-back and convincing at playing someone who is not always aware of his surroundings, but he is also not a fool and can move and act at impressive speed as well when the danger gets closer to him and those that he cares about. The actresses and actors who play new side characters do great work, too. Sadly, however, the script doesn’t give them as much insight or depth necessary for us to see even more of their talents. It is also unfortunate to not see Neve Campbell return as Sidney in this film because she’s straight up one of my favorite horror heroines, and I always love seeing this actress whenever she’s on screen.
The writing is interesting because it works well enough despite not always nailing its target. Occasionally, the movie falls into the frustrating trap of presenting “fake-outs” via moments in which the film shows a character bump into someone else or surprise someone with a loud thud to deceive the audience into thinking that the killer is about to strike. Although they are not numerous, those scenes are a pain. When it comes to the climax, too, discovering who’s involved isn’t too hard to piece together. This isn’t to say that I immediately figured it out as soon as I saw them on screen, but, while the rest of the final moments of this film work to terrific effect (The acting, lines, and set-up all completely deliver in this climax), I also can’t say that I was as shocked as the movie was probably hoping me to be.
With all of this being said, the movie shines the most not only from the aforementioned acting but from the horror sequences. It’s no secret that New York City has always been a huge center of action for film in general. The city is a character in itself with its sense of personality, its unique areas, and its mix of people who thrive from it, among other elements. At the time of this review, I’m planning to re-visit the Big Apple with my family this upcoming summer, and the film lover and travel lover in me is looking forward to seeing what new parts I either overlooked or didn’t fully explore. There is a reason that so many stories are either filmed or take place in this eclectic place. “Scream VI” knows this as well and, while it isn’t the first horror movie to use this location, the movie demonstrates superb knowledge in using this location to great advantage with its sequences involving Ghostface. Alleyways, subways, and other familiar parts of this city are utilized to heighten the dread and create scenarios in which Ghostface could use the environment to take down his targets, and, as the plot advances and further explores this metropolis, the terror only heightens to show how much easier it actually is for the killer to eradicate those in his path. I applaud directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett for continuing to share their talents from the previous movie via setting up tense and brutal situations in which the serial killer is prowling through the environments in search of his victims and only gets dangerously closer. This movie creatively puts New York City to good use for its suspenseful sequences, and it was satisfying.
The script by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick also wisely takes time to explore themes regarding victims of trauma attempting to move forward in their lives while also trying to be smart and cautious following their experiences of horrific events. A few of the best moments in the movie involve Barrera as Sam trying to use new methods to help herself mentally overcome what she’s been through but, also, grappling with the unpleasant situation of her ties to previous relations and her home. They’re chilling and even a little heartbreaking to witness, but they’re hard not to imagine.
Sad and tragic events never ultimately define a person nor should they. However, if a series of traumatic events or even one traumatic event occurs, it can leave a wound deep enough to challenge whatever that person once felt comfortable with or trusted. I’m happy to acknowledge the advances that I’ve made in my current life as well as the great recent events and people in my life that I’m blessed with in my present. Yet, I will also plainly admit that I approach certain scenarios and even some others with greater caution in the aftermath of events that were not so kind to me and, sometimes, others whom I greatly care about.
Trauma is ugly and unpredictable, and, along with challenging people from who they once were, it can also force people to rethink their present ways in order to protect themselves and those who they care about. So, Barrera and Ortega aren’t necessarily foolish for choosing to have their separate philosophies and concerns about how they are trying to leave their unpleasant pasts behind them and create better futures for themselves.
You can move to Hawaii if you choose to physically escape the horrible events that happened to you, but it doesn’t remove you from the mental and emotional impact that they had on you or the fact that such awful events happened. What matters comes from how you cope and attempt to fight forward and, yes, survive in the present day and do your best in the future ahead. I’m thankful for this movie and its predecessor continuing to discuss such ideas.
So, “Scream VI” succeeds as a whole. It isn’t amazing, and there are aforementioned moments lacking in suspense or humor. Yet, the acting, directing, and thrilling sequences involving Ghostface and the heroes trying to outwit the villainous presence more than make up for it. And, this movie also puts the Big Apple to good use in terms of suspense and continues the connections and ideas that make these movies and this franchise work as well as it does.
I can’t say that this is my “favorite” scary movie, but it’s a scary movie that I definitely had a good time at and want to see more of from this franchise.
B+