movie review scream 2022

Cast & crew
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Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Marley Shelton, Dylan Minnette, Mason Gooding, Jack Quaid, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Sonia Ammar, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Mikey Madison in Scream (2022)

25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets fro... Read all 25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past. 25 years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, Calif., a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Tyler Gillett
James Vanderbilt
Kevin Williamson
Neve Campbell
Courteney Cox
David Arquette
1.7K User reviews
339 Critic reviews
60 Metascore
5 wins & 22 nominations

Top cast 33

Sidney Prescott

Gale Weathers

Dewey Riley

Sam Carpenter

Richie Kirsch

Amber Freeman

Tara Carpenter

Mindy Meeks-Martin

Chad Meeks-Martin

Liv McKenzie

Sheriff Judy Hicks

Billy Loomis

Vince Schneider

Deputy Vinson
Deputy Farney

Martha Meeks
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

Trivia The fact that Dewey never mentioned his sister Tatum or her death was an oft-criticized aspect of the prior sequels, making it seem like she had been forgotten. Here, we see that he still keeps her ashes on the mantle.
Goofs During the beginning of the film whilst Tara is walking through the house, in the window to the right of the front door the camera guy can be seen clearly during both scenes that take place during the hallway shots.

Wes Hicks : [suspecting Dewey as the killer] You got stabbed a billion times, got dumped by your famous wife, and crawled into a bottle. I think it's safe to say you're on the suspect list.

Dewey Riley : Well, maybe you're the killer. Because that cut deep.

Crazy credits There is a scene at the end of the movie that says "For Wes", then another appearance of Ghostface.
Connections Featured in Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews: Scream (2022) (2022)
Soundtracks True Love Written by Aaron Frazer (as Aaron Gabriel Frazer), Durand Jones & Blake Rhein (as Blake Jordan Rhein) Performed by Durand Jones & The Indications Courtesy of Dead Oceans

User reviews 1.7K

No screaming because i got scared, but yawning because i got bored...

Feb 17, 2022
How long is Scream? Powered by Alexa
How is this a "reboot" if the original star (Campbell) from all four movies is in it?
Who is Sydney's Unseen Husband in this Movie?
January 14, 2022 (United States)
United States
Official site
Scream. Grita
North Carolina, USA
Paramount Pictures
Spyglass Media Group
Project X Entertainment
See more company credits at IMDbPro
$24,000,000 (estimated)
$81,641,405
$30,018,805
Jan 16, 2022
$137,743,924
Runtime 1 hour 54 minutes
Dolby Atmos

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Parents' guide to, scream (2022).

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 27 Reviews
Kids Say 98 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Gory "re-quel" in meta-horror series is still wicked fun.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Extreme, over-the-top horror violence and gore. Guns and shooting. Many, many st

Frequent use of "f--k," "motherf----r," "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," "goddamn," "

Brief sequence of teens drinking at a party (shots, beer). A character is said t

Two scenes with kissing. A couple discuss "going upstairs" for sex. Sex-related

Netflix mentioned several times. Pizza Hut box visible.

Any Positive Content?

Sydney Prescott is a pretty decent role model for a horror hero: She's more than

The two new main characters are played by actors with Latino backgrounds (Mexica

Somewhat unexpectedly, primary takeaway is that glorifying violence only brings

Parents need to know that the 2022 film Scream is the fifth movie in the Scream horror franchise and is a self-described "re-quel" (i.e., mix of "remake" and "sequel") intended to send the story in a new direction while still involving "legacy" characters like Gale Weathers ( Courteney Cox ) and Sidney Prescott ( Neve Campbell ). In the hands of new filmmakers, the meta-horror idea still has enough juice to produce a lightly flawed but wickedly entertaining shocker for mature fans. Violence is extremely strong and over the top, with lots of blood: spurts, sprays, and gurgles. Expect to see guns and shooting, characters dying, repeated stabbings, fighting, kicking, and punching, etc. Language is also quite strong, with many uses of "f--k," "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," and more. There are several instances of sex-related dialogue, and two scenes with kissing, plus a discussion about "going upstairs." Teen drinking is briefly seen at a party, and there's dialogue about teen drug use and alcohol dependency (many liquor bottles are shown).

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Violence & Scariness

Extreme, over-the-top horror violence and gore. Guns and shooting. Many, many stabbings. Spurting blood, blood sprays, bleeding wounds. Characters die, dead bodies shown. Character catches on fire. Characters fight, kick, and punch the killer. Broken leg. Fall from high place. Teen girl in pain, peril. Ghost appearances. Character threatens with switchblade.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Frequent use of "f--k," "motherf----r," "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," "goddamn," "dumbass," "douche nozzle."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Brief sequence of teens drinking at a party (shots, beer). A character is said to be taking anti-psychotics. A character mentions "doing every drug I could get my hands on" when she was a teen. A variety of liquor bottles can be seen in an adult character's house; later, someone refers to him as having "crawled into a bottle." Teen girl on painkillers in hospital says "I'm so high right now!" Dialogue about teens smoking weed at a party.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Two scenes with kissing. A couple discuss "going upstairs" for sex. Sex-related dialogue. Shirtless male in shower.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Positive role models.

Sydney Prescott is a pretty decent role model for a horror hero: She's more than the traditional "final girl"; she's a true survivor, tough with sharp instincts. But she hasn't closed herself off, either; she still has room in her heart for her kids and friends. She does rely a little too heavily on firearms. Gale has overcome her earlier backstabbing ways to become an admirable, powerful person.

Diverse Representations

The two new main characters are played by actors with Latino backgrounds (Mexican and Puerto Rican), and main group of friends includes Black siblings. Secondary characters include a Chinese American police officer. Two of the three "legacy" characters are women with agency and power.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update .

Positive Messages

Somewhat unexpectedly, primary takeaway is that glorifying violence only brings about more violence. In earlier movies, Gale gained fame by publishing books about the murders; here she decides to keep the story to herself and "let it die" on its own, without inspiring any more copycats.

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

Parents say (27)
Kids say (98)

Based on 27 parent reviews

5th Scream movie holds up strongly, with some uneven pacing!

What's the story.

In SCREAM, 25 years after the Ghostface Killer first struck, teen Tara Carpenter ( Jenna Ortega ) gets a call from a stranger asking her about her favorite scary movie. Not long after, she's attacked and stabbed. Her estranged older sister, Samantha ( Melissa Barrera ), and Sam's boyfriend, Richie ( Jack Quaid ), return to Woodsboro to be with her. When the killer attacks again, Sam and Richie seek out the retired Dewey Riley ( David Arquette ), who reluctantly agrees to help, describing the rules of survival to a group of Tara's friends -- and adding that the killer is likely one of them. Horror movie buff Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) explains her theory that this is all a "re-quel." Meanwhile, Sam makes the decision to reveal her dark secret, the likely reason for the new rash of killings. Before long, Gale Weathers ( Courteney Cox ) and Sidney Prescott ( Neve Campbell ) arrive in town to hopefully put an end to the killings for good.

Is It Any Good?

In passing the torch to fresh blood, this fifth entry in the meta-horror series shows that there are still layers of meta-ness to uncover, fresh scares to experience, and wicked fun to be had. Co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (of the collective "Radio Silence") and co-writer Guy Busick previously gave us the similarly whip-smart, gory Ready or Not , and they tackle this Scream in that same fashion. They also seem to have been inspired by the late Wes Craven 's singular style of filmmaking, with his masterful use of interior spaces as the source of nightmares. One sequence, in which a character putters around in a kitchen, is filled with squeal-inducing traps and false alarms, and when the punch finally comes, it's well-earned.

The movie has lots of fun with the theory of the "re-quel," a movie that relaunches a franchise with fresh characters as well as "legacy" characters in smaller roles (see: Halloween , Star Wars: The Force Awakens , and Jurassic World ). This new Scream is also steeped in the fictional movie-within-a-movie Stab franchise, with one superb scene featuring film buff Mindy enjoying watching it (actually the original Scream ) on television. But this movie also understands and references "high-minded" horrors like The Babadook and Hereditary . Campbell, Cox, and Arquette provide a measure of emotional connection, and new character Samantha is interesting enough to go out on her own. In the final act, the filmmakers fumble their juggling act in a few small ways, but for the most part, this Scream is worth shouting about.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Scream 's violence . How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?

Is the movie scary ? Does it concentrate more on fright, suspense/mystery, or clever references? What would make the movie scarier -- or less scary?

How does the movie depict teen drinking and drug use ? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

What is a "meta movie"? Do the Scream movies benefit from being self-aware? What might be missing?

How has technology advanced since the fourth Scream movie (2011) or even the first (1996)? How is newer technology incorporated into the story?

Movie Details

In theaters : January 14, 2022
On DVD or streaming : March 1, 2022
Cast : Neve Campbell , Courteney Cox , David Arquette , Melissa Barrera
Directors : Matt Bettinelli-Olpin , Tyler Gillett
Inclusion Information : Female actors, Latino actors
Studio : Paramount Pictures
Genre : Horror
Topics : High School , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
Run time : 114 minutes
MPAA rating : R
MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, language throughout and some sexual references
Last updated : October 16, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

Halloween (2018)

Child's Play (2019)

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Neve campbell and courteney cox in ‘scream’: film review.

Ghostface returns to terrorize a new group of Woodsboro teenagers in this resurrection of the beloved ‘90s meta-slasher franchise, which also brings back David Arquette.

By David Rooney

David Rooney

Chief Film Critic

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Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”) stars in "Scream."

The Scream franchise hatched by writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven in 1996 injected new life into the slasher film by observing the rules of the genre while simultaneously subverting them. Its meta mischief and high body count spawned a voracious new generation of horror nerds and raked in $608 million in global box office. Revisiting the property 11 years after Scream 4 , the new installment — made with Williamson’s blessing and dedicated to the late Craven — goes back to the original for inspiration but seriously over-indulges in self-referential cleverness, to the point of undermining the actual scare factor.

It’s hard not to groan when imperiled Californian teens sit around contemplating who might be responsible for the bloody slaughter once again unleashed on suburban Woodsboro, along with who might be next to feel the knife, and one of them pipes up with the realization of the killer: “Oh my God, he’s making a requel!” You might be more inclined to respond positively to a legacy character telling the latest sinister voice at the end of a phone line, “You really need some new material.”

Release date : Friday, Jan. 14 Cast : Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sonia Ammar, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Neve Campbell Directors : Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Screenwriters : James Vanderbilt, Guy Busick, based on characters created by Kevin Williamson

The entire franchise was built on a knowing dissection of the slasher film and all its tropes, so it’s quite possible that some longtime fans will eagerly consume this playful new serving of constant carnage and mayhem, which climaxes with a bloodbath in the very same house where Sidney Prescott ( Neve Campbell ) faced down the original killer behind the Ghostface mask in the first finale. But meta riffs on horror are no longer a novelty, neutered by countless imitations and parodies.

The fresh twist here in James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick’s screenplay is the take on toxic fandom. “Someone has to save the franchise!” shrieks a character in perverse self-justification while busy notching up deaths. “Hollywood’s totally out of ideas.” Whether you find that amusing or so far up its own ass — to put it bluntly — that its winking humor becomes grating will be a matter of personal taste.

It’s hard to get too invested in the peril of characters whose life being at stake doesn’t stop them expounding on the differences between old-school and elevated art horror. While being threatened and quizzed on her landline by Ghostface (Roger L. Jackson returns to provide the creepy electronically manipulated phone voice), first target Tara (Jenna Ortega) begs not to be grilled about the Stab franchise that stands in for the Scream films here. “Ask me anything about It Follows or Hereditary or The Witch !” she pleads. Another teen in a discussion that follows three attacks — one of them fatal — notes, “What’s wrong with elevated horror? I mean, Jordan Peele fucking rules!”

A little of this stuff goes a long way. Unlike the first Scream , where the dissertations on the rules of horror were predominantly the domain of Jamie Kennedy’s Randy Meeks, almost everyone here offers commentary on some trope or other.

If nothing else, it’s a pleasure to see Campbell again in fine form as Sidney, striding back into Woodsboro to take care of unfinished business. Also returning is Courteney Cox ’s TV news reporter Gale Weathers, now a New York morning-show host, and David Arquette , quite touching as former sheriff Dewey Riley, who’s been kicked off the force and is stewing in alcohol to soothe his aching heart after his split with Gale. The script milks poignant moments out of Cox and Arquette’s on- and off-camera relationship in a couple of sweet reunion scenes. A handful of other characters (and their original actors) from previous installments turn up briefly, among them a major figure whose connection to one of the newcomers is a significant plot driver.

It’s too bad that crew of fresh faces leaves so little impression. After the attack on Tara, her estranged sister Sam ( Melissa Barrera ) rushes back to town, accompanied by her boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid), who professes to be unfamiliar with the Stab films but dives into a crash course of Netflix viewing and fan forums. Tara’s close-knit band of high school friends includes her best bud Amber (Mikey Madison); Randy’s twin niece and nephew, Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad (Mason Gooding); Chad’s girlfriend Liv (Sonia Ammar); and Wes Hicks (Dylan Minnette), whose mother Judy (Marley Shelton) has been promoted from deputy to sheriff since Dewey’s exit from the job.

Co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett handle the escalating terror with reasonable skill as members of the CW-esque ensemble start dropping like flies. The trouble is, they can’t stop talking about the plot mechanics of slasher movies long enough to let much nail-biting tension take hold. The first few startling appearances of Ghostface pack a jolt or two. But as the action progresses, the filmmakers start teasing us with pointed music cues and shots set up to make us anticipate the murderous, cloaked and masked antagonist behind every door. That gives Ghostface’s reappearances, when they do happen, the feel of a game rather than a life-or-death encounter.

The killer always goes back to the past, we’re told, so it’s obvious that all roads lead to Sidney, along with Sam, for reasons that won’t be revealed here. Those connections are capably established in a screenplay positively intoxicated with Scream lore; the clues as to the killer’s identity are laid with sly humor and just enough misdirection to keep it interesting, and the multiplying string of murders don’t stint on gore. But there’s not a lot of invention to reflect the passage of time since the franchise’s origins. While cellphones are omnipresent, it’s still good old landlines that deliver the biggest jumps, and a family locator app adds just a modicum of suspense to delay one inevitable knifing.

In one hairy moment, Sam tells her boyfriend, “You know that part in horror movies when you wanna yell at the characters to be smart and get the fuck out? This is that part, Richie!” You might instead find yourself wanting to yell at them to shut up about horror movies and be smarter about strategizing to avoid the killer — or killers, to be consistent with past episodes — in their midst.

The movie namechecks everything from The Babadook to Halloween , Friday the 13th to Psycho , complete with a shower scene. Sure, there’s some fun in all that meta-playfulness. But there’s also a facetiousness that wears thin and intrudes on the killing spree, making me often wish I was watching any one of the superior movies being referenced.

Full credits

Distributor: Paramount Production companies: Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Project X Entertainment, Radio Silence Cast: Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sonia Ammar, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Neve Campbell Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett Screenwriters: James Vanderbilt, Guy Busick, based on characters created by Kevin Williamson Producers: William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein Executive producers: Kevin Williamson, Chad Villella, Gary Barber, Peter Oillataguerre, Ron Lynch, Cathy Konrad, Marianne Maddalena Director of photography: Brett Jutkiewicz Production designer: Chad Keith Costume designer: Emily Gunshor Music: Brian Tyler Editor: Michel Aller Casting: Rich Delia

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