Scream VI

The characters in the "Scream" series like discussing horror film clichés while they are actually watching a horror film.

It also doesn't help that New York resembles Montreal because this film was filmed there, with the exception of a few necessary drone shots of the set. However, we're off on another furiously gory, wickedly comic, and occasionally defiantly staged "Scream"-fest that hits all the right notes we've come to expect from the series.

We'll be careful not to give away any storyline details that haven't previously been mentioned in the trailer and promotional materials. Sam Carpenter, Tara Carpenter, Mindy Meeks-Martin, and Chad make up The Core Four, as they come to refer to themselves.

They are residing in New York City a year after the events of "Scream," with Tara, Mindy, and Chad attending "Blackmore University," which appears to be located somewhere in Manhattan, and Sam doing a few part-time jobs and concentrating primarily on never allowing Tara out of her sight.

As usual, some fresh faces are added to the cast. Quinn lives with Sam and Tara, while Chad shares a dorm room with Ethan. Sam's neighbor across the street, Danny, is a quiet guy who could be a potential love interest. Detective Bailey of the NYPD, Quinn's dad. Because that is exactly how these criminal investigations work, "Scream 4" alum Kirby Reed, who is currently an FBI agent located in Atlanta, travels to New York to assist with the case.

Intense action scenes are staged by directors Tyler Gillet and Matt Bettinielli-Olpin as Ghostface continues to show an amazing ability to sneak into homes and swoop in on you as you're on the phone telling him to stop. While Jasmin Savoy Brown steals the show as Mindy, a horror movie connoisseur who frequently misses the horror movie plot playing out right in front of her, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega make an excellent sister duo. This may be the most absurd and dramatically cruel ending of all the ludicrous and over the top, yet entertainingly gory "Scream" endings.

Staff:

Directed by: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett

Written by: James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick

Based on: Characters by Kevin Williamson

Produced by: William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein

Starring: Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Mason Gooding, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Jenna Ortega, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, Samara Weaving, Hayden Panettiere, and Courteney Cox

Cinematography: Brett Jutkiewicz

Edited by: Jay Prychidny

Music by: Brian Tyler and Sven Faulconer

Production companies: Spyglass Media Group, Project X Entertainment, and Radio Silence Productions

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

Release date: March 10, 2023

Running time: 122 minutes