SCREAM (2022) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Neve Campbell | Melissa Barrera | Jenna Ortega
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The hosts were instantly suspicious of Richie, confirming their "first instincts" are often correct in *Scream* movies.
- ❖Dewey's death was a major point of contention, viewed as a "cheap shot" and a disservice to a veteran character.
- ❖The film's meta-commentary on "requels" and disgruntled fanbases as the killer's motive was a "fresh and interesting" twist.
- ❖The new cast, particularly Mikey Madison (Amber), received high praise for their performances.
- ❖The hosts found the mother's absence throughout the crisis "unbelievable" and the most unrealistic part of the story.
Insights
1The "Two Killers" Trope Persists
The hosts quickly predict the presence of two killers based on franchise history, noting how the film adheres to this established *Scream* formula despite attempts to mislead the audience.
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2Dewey's Death as a Franchise Statement
The hosts express significant disappointment and anger over Dewey's death, framing it as a "cheap shot" and a narrative decision to establish that "anyone can die in a requel," which they found impactful but poorly executed for a beloved character.
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3Meta-Commentary on "Requels" and Fan Culture
The hosts identify the film's central meta-narrative: the killers' motive is to create a "requel" that satisfies "true fans" who are angry at modern horror trends (like "elevated horror") and feel their favorite franchises are being ruined. This is seen as a fresh and relevant critique of toxic fan culture.
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4Predictability vs. Suspense
Despite recognizing *Scream*'s formulaic nature and often predicting plot points, the hosts admit the film still effectively generates suspense and fear, demonstrating the franchise's enduring ability to engage audiences even when its tropes are self-aware.
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5Sam Carpenter's Lineage and Internal Struggle
Sam's revelation as Billy Loomis's daughter and her struggle with her "dark side" is a key plot point, with the hosts observing how this ties her directly to the original film's legacy and provides a new dimension to the "final girl" archetype.
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6Absence of Parental Figures
The hosts repeatedly highlight the unrealistic and "unbelievable" absence of Sam and Tara's mother, who remains in London despite her daughters being repeatedly attacked, contrasting this with typical horror movie tropes where parents eventually show up.
Key Concepts
The "Requel" Formula
The hosts discuss the film's meta-commentary on "requels" (reboot-sequels), where new main characters are introduced but are related to legacy characters, and the plot often "goes back to the original" to satisfy fans, as seen in *Halloween*, *Saw*, *Terminator*, *Jurassic Park*, and *Ghostbusters*.
Horror Movie Tropes/Rules
The podcast frequently references established *Scream* rules, such as "never trust the love interest," "the first victim always has a friend group the killer is a part of," "don't have sex," and "the killer always comes back." The hosts note how the film plays with these expectations.
Toxic Fan Culture
The killers' motive—being radicalized by movie fans who feel creators "pissed on their childhoods" and don't take "true fans seriously"—is highlighted as a direct commentary on toxic fandom, where fans believe they "know best" how a franchise should be handled.
Notable Moments
Initial Suspicion of Richie
The hosts immediately suspect Richie, Sam's boyfriend, as a potential killer, noting it's a classic *Scream* trope to "never trust the love interest."
Praise for Mikey Madison's Performance
The hosts are highly impressed by Mikey Madison's portrayal of Amber, especially during the killer reveal and her "unhinged" performance, calling her "such a good actress."
Frustration with Dewey's "Dumb Moves"
The hosts express frustration that Dewey, a veteran character, makes "stupid moves" leading to his death, wishing he had a more heroic or "cooler" demise.
Quotes
"You know that part in horror movies where you want to yell at the characters to be smart and get the [expletive] out? Yes. This is that part. Richie."
"Dewey had to die to make it real. To show that this wasn't just some [expletive] cash in run-of-the-mill sequel."
"I don't love it, but I'm definitely constantly thinking about it. Right. I'm like pondering on it."
"It's a knowing. It's like you know what's going to happen, you're still scared. That's what I like about it."
"That's the most unbelievable part of the story. 100%. 100%."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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