I saw Scream VI during the release weekend and I have mixed feelings about it. However, considering I am a horror fan and my favorite franchise is Scream I’ll admit that my feelings on the movie and the franchise as a whole are somewhat biased.

It’s not a spoiler that Neve Campbell isn’t in Scream VI. I will say it was odd not having Sidney in the movie. Because she’s the final girl from the original she should have been in the movie, in my opinion. However, according to PEOPLE, in a June 2022 statement through her rep to Vanity Fair, Neve stated: “Sadly I won’t be making the next Scream film. As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise. It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. To all my Scream fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.” In the same interview Campbell added, “it was sad…I love these movies. I love Sidney. I love this franchise; I’m so grateful for it. But at the same time, I really just couldn’t bare the idea of walking onto [the sixth film] and feeling undervalued.” As much as I wish Neve was in the sixth film, I don’t blame her for the decision to not be in it. I’m just curious as to how much they offered her and if it was really so low that she refused to be in the film.

Aside from the lack of presence from Sidney, I enjoyed most of the film. Although the first couple minutes of the film play a major role in the rest of the movie, I found it annoying. Mainly because of Jason Carvey (played by Tony Revolori), both (character and actor) of whom I’m easily irritated by.

Four other major characters were introduced in the new film. Ethan Landry (played by Jack Champion), Quinn Bailey (played by Liana Liberato), Wayne Bailey (played by Dermot Mulroney) and Dany Brackett (played by Josh Segarra). Personally I don’t like Quinn, who is a new friend, nor Ethan because I find his character annoying, nor Dany because of the character he played in Orange is the New Black. Also, I’d like to mention Kirby’s comeback… HELLO?! In Kirby’s first appearance in Scream 4 I was definitely uneasy and did not trust her. 

However, I enjoyed the fact that they gave Mindy (played by Jasmin Savoy Brown) a girlfriend (Anika Kayoko played by Devyn Nekoda). I think they make a good couple and match each other’s vibe and persona. And I want to add that Jenna Ortega has done an impressive job considering the short amount of time she’s been with the franchise.

In all it’s safe to say that with Kirby’s reappearance in Scream VI and all the new characters, the movie had me on edge in the theater. I didn’t know who to trust. Without giving away any spoilers, I will say the Ghostface unmasking was very unexpected. 

Lastly, you do not have to stay till the end of the movie for the post-credit. It’s not like a Marvel Universe post-credit. In the post-credit scene it cuts back to a previous scene in the movie where Mindy says “Not every movie needs a post-credit scene.” and that’s it. I personally found it to be a waste of time.

Overall, I found Scream VI, as well as the majority of the franchise, to be more comedic rather than horror and gore. However, I don’t mind it considering the franchise is based around horror classics and the horror fandom. I would of course 100% recommend watching the movie.

 

Rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, and brief drug use