Fans of the latest “Scream” film have good reason to celebrate.
After a short wait, Spyglass Entertainment and Paramount Pictures gave the sequel the green light, which means this isn’t the last fans have seen of Ghostface.
What Will The ‘Scream’ Sequel Be About?
No details have been revealed about the plot of the sequel so far, except that principal photography is scheduled to begin this summer.
As reported by Deadline, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will return to direct. James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick will be co-writing the screenplay. Project X Entertainment’s Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, and William Sherak will be serving as producers. Creator Kevin Williamson and the third member of Radio Silence, Chad Villella, are executive producing alongside Spyglass’ Gary Barber and Peter Oillataguerre.
“Is this real life?” Vanderbilt and Busick asked in a joint statement. “Getting to collaborate once again with our friends on the next installment of the ‘Scream’ story is more than we could have hoped for. We are overwhelmed that we get to continue to play in the sandbox that Kevin and Wes created. It is, as Ghostface would say, an honor.”
In a separate statement, Radio Silence said, “Working with such a wonderful and talented family of creators – and in the lineage Wes and Kevin so expertly built – has been the thrill of a lifetime and we’re so excited to bring the next chapter in the ‘Scream’ saga to life.”
“We are tremendously grateful to the fans around the world who enthusiastically received our film,” said representatives for Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment. “We can’t wait for audiences to see what Radio Silence, writers Jamie & Guy, and Project X have in store for our Woodsboro family.”
What Did Critics Think Of The Latest ‘Scream’ Film?
Although the fifth installment in the “Scream” franchise is just called “Scream” and not “Scream 5,” fans have been calling it “Scream 5” to set it apart from the 1996 original film of the same name. On Rotten Tomatoes, the latest “Scream” entry received a 78% approval rating for critics and an 82% score from audiences.
Olly Richards of Time Out called the movie, “Inventive, incisive and full of affection for the originals, this is easily the most fun the series has been since Scream 2.”
Esther Zuckerman of Thrillist wrote, “The challenge for any Scream movie is whether it can comment on tropes while still subverting them, and 2022’s incarnation succeeds by tossing a cheeky middle finger to its fans but still lovingly embracing them.”
Peter Travers of ABC news wrote, “Way fiercer and funnier than a fourth sequel has any right to be. Here’s ‘Scream’ for a new generation – so self-aware that it mocks itself for relying on borrowed inspiration while squeezing the golden goose for one last payoff.”
Although many reviews were positive, not all critics were convinced that the film is worthy of a sequel.
Candice Frederick of Huffington Post called the movie “a foolish knockoff that tries desperately to become a clone of the OG film for a new generation despite not being fresh, smart, or even fully coherent at times. Though, again, it’s called ‘Scream,’ it borders more on shrill.”
Bilge Ebiri of Vulture wrote, “This new Scream is so determined to be a Scream movie that it forgets the primary, unstated rule established by the original Scream: You can sell anything to us, so long as you make it scary.”
Kristy Puchko of Mashable wrote, “Sure, this Scream delivers in chills, thrills, and darkly funny moments. But its ending is less haunting than hectic. So, in the end, it doesn’t cut deep.”
Did The Latest ‘Scream’ Film Live Up To Audiences’ Expectations?
Audiences thought that “Scream 5” was a “great return to the franchise,” according to one fan.
Another fan wrote, “Probably my second favorite film in the franchise. It does the original justice while also introducing some newness with a fresh storyline and cast. It’s definitely worth watching.”
“This movie absolutely left me excited for the next scene,” another fan wrote. “I believe it ties everyone in wonderfully, from the seasoned Scream fanatics, to the newcomers seeing this franchise for the very first time. [A] wonderful mix of refreshing old faces and fresh new ones. [Definitely] give it a watch!”
“While the movie has great bloody kills, pokes fun at its own franchise and gives nice homage to other horror classics, there’s just too many issues within the movie when it involved certain situations to give any higher than a 40,” another wrote. “It’s a nice fun horror and if you’re a fan of ‘Scream’ you will probably enjoy this installment but it’s not the greatest and don’t try to understand how many of the situations happen.”
There is no word as to when “Scream” 6 will appear in theaters, or if Neve Campbell and Courney Cox will reprise their roles. Stay tuned!