I must confess that, finally sitting in a theater in front of a big screen, waiting for the start of SCREAM, I got the chills. It wasn’t because I was afraid of scary movies, but because of a creeping silly doubt that crossed my mind. Will I like it? But then, I remembered the talent of everyone involved and the blessing of so many others. I had faith that I would enjoy the ride. 

So I jumped in with an open mind and heart when the lights went out. 

This review does not contain spoilers and adheres to the facts that are public knowledge, but I need to elucidate that something is showing in all the film’s spheres that I have been writing about over and over.

From the creators and filmmakers, passing by the movie, going through the advertisement and promotion, and back to us, the public, there’s an element evinced. Cyclical like a snake biting its tail: THE FAN. Did you get it?

I’ll explain: SCREAM 2022 was a movie conceived by lovers of the franchise, helmed by directors influenced by the body of work of Wes Craven with a crew of die-hards (some I have known for some years now) and marketed with the same dedication and passion to us and us only. 

Old and future fans.

“I need fans” is normalized nowadays, and Kevin Williamson foresaw that back in 2011. As a result, a comment is made in this clever script of James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. 

They indicate that every good “requel” (reboot + sequel) – or even better: a legacy sequel – does: What happened here when we weren’t looking? How will the structure of events and characters resemble the previous entries without being corny? How does everything unveil with likelihood? 

Well, Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) will guide you through it in a much better and funny way – because it wouldn’t be a SCREAM without self-awareness. 

But will the fans recognize themselves and get it? From two fans to millions of fans, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett most certainly do. They demonstrate with elegance the difference between imitation and homage and that’s why we feel Wes Craven from the beginning to the emotional final card. There is nothing left for us to do but to embrace their style and personality in their iteration. 

The film is a brutal and fast roller coaster, and you won’t escape unscathed. It’s “diabolical fun” just like the reviews printed on the DVD covers back in the 90s. 

This Ghost Face is very unlike any of the others. Violent to the point of making us squirm in our seats or close our eyes in agony. The villain is very objective with their unlucky targets. Like a serpent with prey, the attacks are never anything but pointed and savage. 

And all bets are indeed off. That makes us fear for the charismatic new characters as well as for the sacred legacy characters. And when the trio is present, there’s always a shifting of tone. What reminds me of how much I’ve missed them and missed seeing them in action. 

That’s the whole reason that when the lights come back on, there’s a major sense of satisfaction and gratitude to everyone involved in this production and for allowing us to take another trip to Woodsboro.

And I can’t wait to return. To SCREAM again. 

* A review with spoilers, more depth, and with the movie more processed in my mind should come along with the Blu-Ray and DVDs release.