‘Scream VI’ is Stronger Than Any 5th Sequel Should Be
The franchise’s latest dodges pitfalls and stays fresh by leaning into character, creativity, and good ol’ fashioned entertainment.
Last year, when I reviewed Scream (Scream 5, that is), I mentioned what’s probably my favorite thing about this franchise: it’s an ongoing conversation with its fans about horror films, pop cultural relevance, and the highs and lows of fandom.
It’s part of what makes the viewing experience rewarding for fans, most of whom are in on the jokes (or even the butt of them) while still getting a substantive new chapter of the character stories they know and love.
Scream VI is the first time I’ve felt that the franchise is no longer focused on furthering the overall horror discourse. (Some cheeky comments here and there about film critics and plot subversions do just fine.) Instead, this film is going all in on the sheer thrill of the entertainment factor — and in that respect, it’s an easy success.
