Having been one of the few people who liked Scream 4 a decade ago, I was highly anticipating this belated sequel especially as Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette who all appeared in the 1997 original are reprising their roles as well some actors from the three previous sequels. Centre stage is taken by Samantha Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) who rushes to Woodsboro with her boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid) when she receives news that her estranged sister Tara (Jenna Ortega) has just survived the first attack by a new ghost face killer.
As events Sidney Prescott (Campbell), Gale Weathers (Cox) and Dewey Riley (Arquette) are drawn into the story. This, like the original Scream, is very knowing and self referential. There are gags about fan culture, bad sequels and ‘elevated’ horror that all hit the mark. There is also plenty of gory slayings and a decent mystery surrounding the identity of the killer.
It may not be the most original film I will see this year but it is sure to be one of the most fun. Barrera makes an appealing new heroine and it is great to see her teaming up with Campbell.
Rating: 8 out of 10