“Scream”: A Bloody Love Letter Return to the Wes Craven Saga

His doctored voice has haunted people’s minds for 25 years. So inevitably, the hairs stand on end on hearing him immediately ask us not to spoil Scream. Ghostface wants to remind that he is the one leading the dance, even before the film opens. On a ringing phone, of course.

Announced in May 2020, this fifth installment of the horrific saga was thrilling. Because it succeeds a series inspired by the rather uneven franchise. And because he is the first to see the light of day without Wes Craven, director of the four previous films who died in 2015.

But the shadow of the filmmaker hovers in every shot of this Scream, which is not encumbered with a number in its title. As if to further mark his return to his roots. 25 years after the first murders of Scream, 10 years after the last of Scream 4, yet another killer with the Ghostface mask arrives in Woodsboro to attack another generation.

For nearly two hours, everything is just nods – more or less skillful – to the foundations of the franchise. “I have already seen this movie”, ends up throwing a Sidney Prescott still as badass, forced to return for the fifth time to try to defeat his old demons.

Nostalgia is running at full speed, even if it means totally losing the neophytes. And to make older people smile from ear to ear. Evidenced by the opening sequence which recalls the young Drew Barrymore lonely in her kitchen, forced to answer a quiz on horror cinema to hope to save the life of a loved one in Scream (1996).

The new heroes are linked to the old ones. By the blood that runs through their veins or that escapes from their wounds. And difficult, with bloody hands, to dial the emergency number on the touch screen of your smartphone.

The terrible Billy Loomis, who dreamed of “switch to the version prohibited for children under 16” in bed with Sidney in the first movie (also forbidden to under 16s, editor’s note), will have seen his wishes granted. More violent than the previous three which were forbidden to children under 12, this Scream version 2022 is also more moving. We tremble, we laugh, we also cry.

The film plays it more meta than ever, multiplying references to the slasher genre and even mocking its own existence. Suggest a new one Scream was it necessary? Not necessarily. But directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett did it damn well.

They who wanted “honoring Wes Craven” with their own version of Scream sign a revolted love letter to his universe. Even Kevin Williamson, creator of the original characters and executive producer of this 5th film, is entitled to a tasty nod to the screen.

If the young guard is defending itself very well – Jenna Ortega (You) and Jack Quaid (The Boys) in the lead – alongside a slightly rusty David Arquette (endearing Sheriff Dewey Riley), we regret not spending more time with Neve Campbell (the heroine with a capital H Sidney Prescott) and Courteney Cox (the journalist eager for Gale Weathers scoops). Because they are the real ones scream queens of the franchise.

>> Scream – at the cinema on January 12, forbidden to under 16s