“What’s your favourite scary movie?” is arguably one of the most iconic lines in cinematic history, and comes from one of the most iconic film franchises ever. Since the first film debuted in 1996, the Scream franchise—mostly directed by the late horror genius Wes Craven—has captured audiences with its unique blend of horror and humour, remaining as a cornerstone of horror cinema.
The first Scream follows high schooler Sidney Prescott, who is coming up on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s murder. Although Sidney thought the police caught the killer, strange murders began plaguing the town of Woodsboro, and all seemed to centre around Sidney. By the film’s end, Prescott had become the blueprint for the Final Girl trope.
Throughout the following five films, no matter what she did, Sidney could never escape Ghostface. I genuinely let out a sigh of relief in Scream (2022) when she revealed that she owned a gun. Each film follows a Scooby-Doo-like who-done-it formula, with plot twists and intense chase scenes that entrance the viewer.
The original Scream is credited with revitalising the horror genre in the 90s and remained the highest-grossing slasher film of all time until Halloween (2018). As asserted by The Washington Post, the franchise “deftly mixes irony, self-reference and wry social commentary with chills and blood spills”. The franchise’s self-aware approach to the horror genre cleverly critiques slasher tropes while simultaneously embracing them.
The impact of the franchise cannot be understated, as the characters’ self-awareness of the “rules” of horror movies establishes Scream as the blueprint for slashers. As film geek Randy Meeks declared in Scream (1996), “there are certain rules that one must abide by in order to survive a horror movie.” Never have sex, never drink or do drugs, and never, under any circumstance, say “I’ll be right back”. Those who fail to follow these rules always end up dead, or are revealed to be the killer. The Scream franchise stands out as a horror and mystery series due to its clever storytelling and social commentary. By deconstructing slasher film conventions, it keeps audiences guessing while paying homage to the genre’s roots. The iconic Ghostface killer adds an element of unpredictability, as Ghostface’s identity shifts with each film. This combination of thrills, intrigue, and self-referential wit makes Scream a compelling franchise for both horror and mystery enthusiasts alike.
Illustration by Kirstin Kelly Bone