Hollywood exhibits a recurring trend: sequels mirroring the titles of their original films. Halloween exemplifies this, and during this review of Scream (2022), I encountered the term “Requel” to describe this phenomenon. This signifies a simultaneous reboot and sequel, often featuring original cast members who primarily serve to pass the narrative baton to a new ensemble.
The inaugural film in the Scream series, released in 1996, remains a standout horror experience. While adhering to slasher genre conventions, it subverted expectations through its self-aware film references and unique humor. Subsequently, numerous films attempted to replicate its success, including, arguably, the Scream sequels. Scream 2 arrived the following year, and Scream 3 followed in 2000. Neither attained the quality of the original. Scream 3 arguably lost its way, particularly with the inclusion of characters like Jay and Silent Bob. The franchise then remained dormant until 2011, with the release of Scream 4. I’ve only viewed it once, eleven years ago, retaining only a vague memory of finding it superior to Scream 3. Director Wes Craven (Nightmare on Elm Street) helmed the first four installments. Following his passing in 2015, many presumed Scream 4 would mark the series’ conclusion.
However, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Ready or Not) assumed directorial duties, resulting in the release of Scream (2022) last winter. As previously mentioned, it eschews numerical designation, sharing its title with the original film.
A violent attack on Tara (Jenna Ortega), the sister of Sam (Melissa Barrera), compels her return to Woodsboro. The Ghostface killer has resurfaced, and the body count is rising. The original trio of survivors—Gale (Courtney Cox), Dewey (David Arquette), and Sidney (Neve Campbell)—confront a new, lethal adversary who possesses considerable knowledge of Woodsboro’s past, raising the stakes higher than ever.
Scream (2022) opens similarly to Scream (1996), triggering comparisons to Matrix Resurrections, which employs a comparable approach. Fan service can be executed effectively, as seen in Spider-man No Way Home, or awkwardly, as in Scream (2022). While the introductory scene differs in detail, a sense of unease develops early on. The film boasts stylish visuals and capable performances from the cast, including the returning legacy characters. However, the element that elevated the original is conspicuously absent. Scream (2022) alludes to the perceived redundancy and questionable quality of “Requels” and sequels, yet it fails to subvert these tropes and innovate. The original Scream distinguished itself by satirizing established conventions and presenting novel ideas. Instead, this installment relies on a collection of tired clichés, such as the predictable jump scare resulting from a character opening a door or hatch, only to reveal an assailant lurking behind it – a tactic repeated multiple times. Furthermore, the depiction of a deserted hospital, inexplicably teeming with people in subsequent scenes, introduces inconsistencies. Numerous other issues detracted from my enjoyment, but elaborating on them would necessitate revealing significant plot points.
Beyond the film’s shortcomings, the UHD release presents an even greater disappointment. The 7.1 DTS-HD track featured on the import Ultra HD version of Scream is inexplicably missing from the Swedish edition, which instead offers a lower-quality 5.1 DTS-HD track. While Ultra HD discs typically lack extras, the absence of any bonus content on the Blu-ray disc was particularly frustrating. A brief online search revealed that the import version includes documentaries, deleted scenes, and commentary tracks. Fortunately, the 4K HDR visuals are commendable, particularly in enhancing the impact of dark scenes, such as a stylishly rendered murder in a parking lot. However, justifying the full retail price for this stripped-down edition remains perplexing.
In conclusion, Scream (2022) offers a reasonably competent cinematic experience, but ultimately proves unremarkable. The deficient Swedish UHD release, however, represents a more significant letdown, considerably impacting the overall assessment.
