We are back and this time Ghostface has taken over New York City.
Last year’s Scream requeled a classic and introduced a new generation to Ghostface. Now with introductions out of the way the four survivors, Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding) find themselves in New York.
Sam is struggling with the events of what happened a year ago and the maniac side that could be dwelling inside of her. Her sister Tara is ready to move onto college and the rest of her life, while Mindy and Chad are also attending the same school and hoping to put the events of Woodsboro behind them in the big city. Unfortunately, someone else shows up donning the mask and wants to finish off the job.
The characters this time around are much more defined and most importantly the stakes have been raised to where none of these characters feel safe. This includes legacy characters like Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox), Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) and newcomers Quinn Bailey (Liana Liberato), Ethan (Jack Champion), Danny Brackett (Josh Segarra) and NYPD Detective Bailey (Dermot Mulroney).
The film does a great job at laying out the franchise rules that we find ourselves in but finds plenty of ways to subvert expectations. Again, no spoilers but there is a moment in the opening of this film that caused my jaw to drop from what they did and then no more than 10 minutes later did something else that caused me to audibly react.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett really showcase a love for this franchise and understanding of how to deliver the goods. They are really upping the ante this time around with the set pieces that are used to perfection. This could be the best use of NYC in any horror film. The kills are vicious, the chases are impressive and intense. Every encounter with Ghostface is harrowing and edge of your seat as all the rules are off this time around.
Scream VI is a lean, mean, thrill ride from open to end. The entire cast and crew are firing on all cylinders this time around to craft one of the best sequels in this franchise. They really take the audience on a ride that you’ll want to watch again and again.
4 1/2 out of 5
