Scream (2022) is an American slasher film directed by Matt Dettinelli-Olpin (Ready or Not) and stars Melissa Barrera (In the Heights), Jack Quaid (The Hunger Games), Courteney Cox (Friends), David Arquette (Eight Legged Freaks), and Neve Campbell (Skyscraper).

The film begins twenty-five years after the first movie, and this time those being stalked by old Ghostface have a connection to the original killings. Scream (1996) had been a tour de force of horror back then beginning with a jaw-dropping opening sequence. A smart film, Scream (1996) turned the genre on it’s head and became an instant classic. Wes Craven’s finest moment.

With the death of Craven, any hope of the film series returning to its early days has been dashed. The new Scream is watchable and it does a lot of things right but in the end, it’s pretty much an unsatisfying experience.

David Arquette as Dewy Riley shines here like no other. A movie focusing on his character would have worked better. Instead, we get a new group of teens played by twenty and thirty-something actors. They can all act, but the “it” factor is missing. Just re-watch the original Scream and you’ll see what I mean. These characters make for a bland movie.

Neve Campbell easily slips back into her role as Sidney Prescott and although she’s given at least one bad-ass line, not a lot is done with her character. Much the same with Cortney Cox’s Gale Weathers. It’s fun to see them inhabit these roles again, but it’s not enough to make this outing anything more than a diversion.

We’re treated to a good amount of gore but Scream (2022) is light on the frights. I remember being on the edge of my theater seat when I watched the original, not so here.

Many scenes are lifted from the original. I like a throwback as well as anyone, but I found this installment lazy overall. The ending runs long and the reveal is ridiculous if you think about it for too long.

My wife gave this movie four stars for entertainment value, but I can only give it three.

Scream (2022) is in theaters now.

Story Doctoring:

All horror filmmakers would be smart to study the original. Wes Craven created a masterpiece and much can be learned from it. What would I have done differently? In the opening scene, I’d take a character that we love, make it seem like they’d survive, and then kill them off. That would have at least made for a tense opening while mirroring the original.

I would have liked to see Dewy as the main character, or even Sidney. Maybe Sidney returns to Woodsboro after she hears about the killings. Having survived the last four movies, she has taken up martial arts and acquired an arsenal. When seeing her, Gale Weathers asks, “Who do you think you are, Laurie Strode?” We follow her as she attempts to stop Ghostface once and for all. You think that’s too much? Okay, fine. Just get Sid back to Woodsboro and let’s get it on!

Rating: Three out of five stars.