Review of “Scream 6”: Hayden Panettiere Makes a Strong “Requel Sequel” That’s a ton of fun.
‘Scream 6’ changes direction from Woodsboro without losing any momentum. The most recent “Scream” film is chock-full of hair-raising tension, brutal killings, and nods to the classic series.
Fans of Scream are extremely discerning, and Scream 6 delivers on their expectations. The franchise keeps coming up with inventive ways to defy the slasher genre’s standards while still telling a gripping, gory tale. Scream 6 departs from Woodsboro for New York City while retaining all the mystique that makes previous Scream films such fun.
Ghostface is not in the rearview mirror whereas Woodsboro is. Following the most recent Woodsboro tragedy, Sam, Tara, Chad, and Mindy attempt to start over in the Big Apple, but Ghostface simply won’t allow them live normal lives. With fresh vitality, a new Ghostface appears in New York City, heightening the suspense and the brutality of the killings.
When Ghostface kills more victims, Kirby Reed makes a triumphant return to the Scream universe. Similar to the original heritage characters, Kirby has been a fan favorite with the 2011 release of Scream 4. When she initially appeared on screen at the movie, the entire audience applauded.
The ideal Scream cast member to bring back was Hayden Panettiere. Although Kirby has scars from her personal conflict with Ghostface, she is now more powerful than ever. As Kirby’s past and present converged, Hayden’s acting allowed you to sense the history. Hayden is as lovely and alluring as ever in the part, her first in four years.
In this new era of Scream, the rookies, also known as the Core Four, continue to forge their own paths. Although each of them is haunted in their own unique ways, their approaches to healing from their trauma vary.
The performances by Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown are all top-notch. Jasmin’s Mindy delivers yet another outstanding monologue about slasher laws in remembrance of her Uncle Randy. Dermot Mulroney and new cast members Jack Champion, Liana Liberato, and Devyn Nekoda join them.
Even though it’s obvious that Sam is Billy Loomis’ daughter, the presence of the original Scream killer drags down the character. Billy doesn’t need to be watching this last female all the time. With this fresh cast of characters, let the girl succeed on her own.
Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell in Scream 6, is absent for the first time, and her absence is felt. Her absence is especially noticeable in moments with Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers, who is spending the first time without both Sidney and Dewey. As always, Gale maintains her independence and makes an effort to support the new-gen cast in her own Gale fashion.
The Scream franchise feels more alive than ever even after 27 years. We’re all excited to see what comes next because the fan base is just as unbreakable as Ghostface’s legacy. In the world of Scream, you know that anything can happen and that no matter what, you’re going to have a bloody fantastic time. On March 10, Scream 6 will be available in theaters worldwide.