What’s your favorite Scary Movie? And what makes the original “Scream” so iconic?
At a time when the slasher subgenre was, well, slashed, Wes Craven did the impossible, in a very self-referential, or “meta” way. “Scream” is both a loving homage to and a sharp deconstruction of the slasher genre that dominated horror films in the 1980s. Written by Kevin Williamson, the film revitalized horror for a new generation by combining self-aware humor, pop culture references, and genuine terror.
The story follows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), a high school student coping with the anniversary of her mother’s murder, as she and her friends become targets of the masked Ghostface killer. Sidney is easily my favorite “final girl” in horror history, with Neve Campbell offering a proper mix of vulnerability and resilience. Unlike others, she is not oblivious to horror conventions, making her a formidable foe to Ghostface. In fact, the same could be said about some of the film’s other characters, such as horror nerd Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy), who quite literally outlines the “rules to successfully surviving a horror movie”, such as never saying “I’ll be right back!”
This aforementioned “meta” style made “Scream” fresh and witty while still delivering suspense and not delving too deep into comedy. That was reserved for the corresponding parody “Scary Movie”. Fun fact, that was the original title of “Scream“!
The opening scene of “Scream” is my all-time favorite in cinema history. The sequence, featuring Drew Barrymore as Casey Becker, set the tone perfectly. What begins as a seemingly playful phone conversation quickly escalates into a terrifying cat-and-mouse game, and subsequent brutal murder, establishing that “Scream” is willing to subvert audience expectations by killing off a star actress in the first act. The blend of dark humor, suspense and shocking violence made the scene instantly iconic.
Performances are likewise strong throughout. Courteney Cox brings bite and ambition to tabloid reporter Gale Weathers, the MVP of the movie outside of Campbell, and David Arquette provided levity as the well-meaning Dewey. Additionally, Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard as Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, respectively, make an excellent villainous pair. The latter’s quotes are hilarious to this day. A side note, having two assailants was such a killer twist! When in costume, the Ghostface killer is clumsy yet relentless, becoming one of horror’s most recognizable figures, on and off the phone, with the former thanks to Roger L. Jackson’s haunting voice.
Stylistically, Craven directs with energy and precision, aided by Marco Beltrami’s frightening score. Also, the cinematography captures both the mundane safety of suburban settings and the lurking menace behind them, grounding the horror in a recognizable reality. In fact, Stu Macher’s house, the site of the chaotic third act, allows touring on AirBnB today! In conclusion, “Scream” is a staple of the slasher genre that should be enjoyed every October!
