Review | 'Scream VI' is a gore spectacle and one of the best films in the franchise

When Wes Craven brought to life the first chapter of the 'Scream' saga, no one could imagine the impact it would have within the horror genre and the slasher subgenre. After all, the iconic feature film would serve as a basis for numerous subsequent productions that not only united the classic ventures of serial killers, but also opened doors for a self-aware narrative filled with metalinguistic inferences that build a bridge between reality and fiction. It's no surprise that the franchise's popularity has yielded three direct sequels - with a venture exhibited in 2011 that deserves to be revisited and appreciated by the public.

In 2022, seven years after Craven's death, screenwriter Kevin Williamson (responsible for the narrative of the first feature films) decided to ride the revival wave to introduce 'Scream' to a new generation of both fans and victims. That's how the fifth iteration came to light, causing a box office uproar and marking a considerable return of Ghostface's gore epic to form. Now, we are invited to another season of slaughter with the highly anticipated 'Scream VI' - which can already be considered one of the best entries in the saga and a surprising and bloody spectacle that leaves the audience longing for more.

Following the events of the previous film, sisters Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) decide to leave Woodsboro behind and move to the vibrant city that never sleeps, New York, where they struggle in their own ways with the traumas that haunt them. Sam is in constant vigilance for anything that could put them in danger again, consulting with a therapist to talk about the dark past that insists on haunting her. As if that weren't enough, she became the target of rumors accusing her of orchestrating the previous murders and blaming the "innocent" Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) - in addition to dealing with harassment that would test anyone's patience. On the other hand, Tara seems to be dealing more fleetingly with almost having died, continuing a supposed normal life that includes fraternity parties, bubbling passions, and the promise of a future like any other.

But of course, things would not go as planned and, shortly after, Sam and Tara find themselves facing the same problems of a recent past: a new Ghostface has emerged and will not hesitate to ensure that the two suffer, especially Sam and the "psychotic blood" she carries (after all, she is the daughter of the famous serial killer Billy Loomis, played by Skeet Ulrich in the first chapter of the franchise). And, if they hoped that feverish Manhattan could protect them, they were very mistaken.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return to the director's chair and continue to prove that they are one of the most interesting pairs in the contemporary horror scene. After all, they lent their skills to projects such as 'V/H/S/' and 'Ready or Not' - winning over the audience and critics with original perspectives and a touch of acidic humor that is always welcome. By entering the saga immortalized by Craven and Williamson, they managed to honor the creators' legacy and ensure the return of the audience for the sequel. Here, the filmmakers know how to drive the narrative in subversive ways, throwing us on different paths and leading us to try to imagine who is guilty without providing many clues and ensuring that both long-time fans and newcomers can have fun. As if that wasn't enough, the classicism of jump-scares is set aside for a very practical suspense mystery that keeps us glued to the screen from beginning to end.

There is a gigantic puzzle to be solved and, perhaps more than ever, the audience is an active part of the unfolding of the plot. The main idea is to foster a timeless mythology that is cherished by everyone: the "legacy" motif is unique to the directors and extends to stratospheric levels, such as when the protagonists discover a sanctuary that encompasses each of the killers who have ever worn the Ghostface mask. It's no surprise, then, that we also have the illustrious presence of Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers (who, despite having less screen time than previous chapters, still causes a great stir due to her legendary status) and the more than deserved return of Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed, who survived Jill Roberts' (Emma Roberts) and Charlie Walker's (Rory Culkin) attack and now works for the FBI as a powerful agent.

The various elements agglomerate into a horror show from which we cannot divert our gaze. After all, it is notable how the technical and artistic structure is treated with care, solidifying Sam, Tara and the other characters as integral parts of a complex machinery that can be greatly explored. The performances are out of this world, with highlights to Ortega (emerging more and more as a current scream queen) and Barrera (who provides the most robust emotion with a mere glance). And of course, we couldn't fail to mention the presence of Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown as Chad and Mindy in applaudable chemistry, in addition to Liana Liberato and Dermot Mulroney as impeccable additions to the cast.

'Scream VI' is a great addition to one of the greatest sagas of all time and is established as one of its best chapters. It's notable how, little by little, the requels detach themselves from the need for legacy characters and march at their own pace - opening space for intelligent offensives and much to tell us.