Movie Review: Scream

By: Anayah Flowers, Haley Schaldach, and Serena Barile

April 26, 2020

Scream is a classic slasher film that was released in 1996. The plot focuses on the main character Sidney Prescott who lives in the town of Woodsboro. She becomes the main target of a killer by the name of Ghostface, and she has to fight to survive as he murders people in the town, one by one. 

At the beginning of the movie, the audience is introduced to a character by the name of Casey who gets a phone call from a male stranger. At first, he seems pretty harmless, but as the scene goes on, the conversation gets weirder, and she realizes she is being watched.

The killer makes her answer horror movies, trivia questions, and if she gets them wrong, her boyfriend, who is tied to a chair on her front porch, will die. By the end of the opening scene, Casey and her boyfriend Steve are brutally murdered, and Casey’s mother finds her hanging from a tree. 

This sets the other events in motion for the rest of the movie. The whole town is shocked as the murders are the worst thing the town has experienced since the murder of Sidney’s mother. 

Throughout the movie, there is an excellent, creepy atmosphere. There are times where it is silent, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats. 

“Why do you want to know my name?” to which the killer on the phone replies, “Cause I want to know who I’m looking at.”  This line sent chills down our spines.

What makes Scream an excellent film is not only a creepy atmosphere but also the amazing character development. With many of the characters, they grow in so many ways. As their backstories develop, the more interesting the movie becomes and the more we feel for their onset characters. 

Although there are many different aspects that make it a good movie, it has its weak spots, too. When Ghostface comes up behind Randy (who is watching a scary movie of course), he doesn’t kill him for some reason. It was a perfect opportunity that the killer didn’t take. 

All movies have their strengths and weaknesses, and Scream is definitely a movie where its weaknesses can be overlooked. 

With its creepy atmosphere and great jump-scares, it’ll be worth the watch!