MOVIE REVIEW: We evaluate if 'Scream' is a killer addition to horror franchise

Just when you thought it was safe to answer the phone, Ghostface is back to terrorise audiences for a fifth time.

Eleven years after the fun Scream 4 seemed to spell an end for the series, original trio Sidney (Neve Campbell), Gale (Courteney Cox) and Dewey (David Arquette), and a host of new bloods, are in the cross hairs of a determined new masked killer.

Like Halloween and Candyman , this sequel is confusingly given the same title as the first flick - but it does a better job than either of those modern reboots in resurrecting its franchise.

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This is the first Scream movie not directed by the late Wes Craven, however, Ready or Not’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett were inspired choices to take on helming duties.

The pair have proven they can deliver gory horror with its tongue firmly planted in its cheek - and are clearly fans of all things Scream .

They recognise that technology has moved on dramatically from even the previous instalment, never mind the 1996 original, arming Ghostface with an array of new devices and tricks to prey upon his victims.

The fact those victims still include Campbell, Cox and Arquette is vital for the ongoing story and while the trio appear a little jaded at times, from a character point-of-view it’s understandable given all they’ve been through.

Newcomers to the series include The Boys’ Jack Quaid ( Richie ), Dylan Minnette ( Wes ), Jenna Ortega ( Tara ) and Melissa Barrera ( Sam ) and most of them balance enough on the edge of potential friends or foes to make guessing the killer a challenging prospect.

Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett bring a large helping of the gloop and gore from Ready or Not with them as this rates as the bloodiest Scream thus far.

And, importantly, the duo don’t lose sight of the meta insights, in-jokes and survival rules that made the earlier films stand out from the horror pack.

Bettering the second and third movies and matching the fourth, Scream 2022 is as good a sequel as fans could realistically hope for - but, fittingly, Craven’s original is still the king.

● What are your thoughts on Scream 2022? Are you a fan of the franchise overall?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.

● Scream is showing in cinemas now.

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