Directed with an expert blend of nostalgia and fresh thrills by the dynamic duo of Matt Bettinelli and Tyler Gillett, “Scream” (2022) masterfully revisits the haunting grounds of Woodsboro, a quarter of a century after the spine-chilling events orchestrated by the infamous Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. Returning to the silver screen with a star-studded ensemble, including Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette, the film also introduces us to a new generation of talent, featuring Mellisa Berrara, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, and Jenna Ortega.

The plot unfolds in the familiar landscape of Woodsboro, where our protagonist, Sam Carpenter (Mellisa Berrara), finds herself inexorably drawn back to her hometown. The catalyst for her return is a nightmarish incident: her sister Tara falls victim to an evil killer donning the iconic Ghostface mask, reigniting the town’s darkest fears. The ominous Ghostface killer starts to target the town’s residents methodically while dangling the Sword of Damocles over Sam’s sister and her biggest secret.

Scream (2022) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:

“Scream,” much like its predecessors, begins with an unsettling phone call that sends chills down the spine. The caller confronts Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) with a seemingly harmless inquiry about her roommate’s whereabouts. However, what starts innocently enough takes a nightmarish turn for Tara. Adopting a sinister tone, the caller informs Tara that he intends to kill her roommate, Amber (Mikey Madison), unless she can correctly answer three of his questions. The killer is eerily mirroring a scene from the fictional movie within the Scream Universe “Stab,” where a similarly twisted game results in a brutal murder. Tara initially dismisses the call as a cruel prank, but her doubts turn to terror when the caller provides video evidence that confirms his deadly intent. The twisted trivia game commences, and Tara successfully responds to two out of the three questions.

Unfortunately, she falls short on the final question, leaving Amber’s fate uncertain. Desperation and fear drive Tara to attempt to leave the house to save her roommate, but her escape is cut short as the killer, having already infiltrated her home, corners her. In a horrifying and brutal attack, the killer stabs Tara multiple times and then departs, believing her to be dead. Miraculously, Tara manages to survive the attack, setting the stage for a chilling and suspenseful thriller as the hunt for the elusive killer intensifies.

Tara’s sister Sam (Mellisa Berrara) arrives in Woodsboro with her boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid) to care for her sister. Seeing her sister’s body littered with stab wounds, Sara can’t contain herself and breaks down in tears. Sam and Tara were estranged and weren’t really on talking terms. Sam had left Woodsboro years ago, cutting ties with the town and its residents. Her sudden return, prompted by her sister’s dire situation, stirs mixed emotions among the locals.

While some, like Wes, welcome her presence and hope for Tara’s recovery, others, notably Amber, are wary and believe Sam’s return might do more harm than good. Tensions escalate when Vince Schneider (Kyle Gallner) falls victim to the Ghostface killer, meeting a gruesome end in the bar’s parking lot. The killer’s relentless pursuit continues, this time targeting Sam at the hospital. Luckily, Sam survives the encounter and decides it’s time to reveal a long-guarded family secret to her sister.

 Sam discloses that she is the illegitimate daughter of Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), the infamous killer from the original “Scream” movie. The revelation sets off a storm of emotions, particularly for Tara, who feels betrayed by her family’s hidden past. She demands that Sam leave her alone to process the devastating news. Unbeknownst to Tara, the Ghostface killer is privy to Sam’s secret and wants her as the next victim in his twisted quest for trophies.

The Expert Advice

Cara’s determination to track down the Ghostface killer leads her to Dewey Riley (David Arquette), the experienced law enforcement officer with a tragic history of dealing with similar horrors. She implores Riley for any information that might aid in their pursuit of the elusive killer. Riley shares that the killer is obsessively fixated on the “Stab” movies, and if Sam is to have any chance of survival, they must look within Tara’s circle of friends for the killer.

Despite Cara’s invitation for Riley to join their efforts, he declines, likely haunted by the ghosts of his past experiences. However, as Sam departs, Riley contacts Sidney Prescott, a survivor from previous Ghostface incidents, and warns her about the resurgence of terror in Woodsboro. He vehemently advises Sidney not to set foot in the town under any circumstances.

As the investigation intensifies, Riley eventually joins the team, and they visit Tara’s friends for questioning. Sam reveals herself as the true target and that Tara was attacked merely to draw her back to Woodsboro. Simultaneously, Sheriff Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton) finds herself in a horrifying predicament as the Ghostface killer threatens to murder her son, Wes (Dylan Minnette). Panic-stricken, Judy rushes home to save her child, but both mother and son fall victim to the ruthless killer, leaving the town in a state of shock and despair.

The stakes are higher than ever as the pursuit of the Ghostface killer escalates, leaving no one safe in Woodsboro. After years, reporter Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) returns to Woodsboro to cover the unfolding horror. Gale left Woodsboro to follow a lucrative job opportunity in the city. Little did she know that her new job would strain her relationship with Riley. Now back in town, Gale wants to cover the story that catapulted her into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Sam and Riley rush to the hospital upon receiving word that Tara has been left unattended. Richie also arrives, but he’s left incapacitated and unable to intervene by the killer.

Scream (2022) Movie Ending Explained
Courteney Cox in Scream (2022)

The Ghostface killer, closing in on Tara, prepares to deliver the final blow. However, Riley manages to shoot the killer, saving Tara’s life. He proceeds to help everyone else escape the hospital. But the respite is short-lived as the killer regains consciousness and retaliates. Tragically, Riley meets a heart-wrenching end at the hands of the Ghostface Killer. The unchecked carnage plunges the town of Woodsboro into terror and uncertainty, with no one truly safe from the clutches of the Ghostface killer.

Scream (2022) Movie Ending Explained:

Who was the Real Ghostface Killer?

Riley’s death brings Sidney (Neve Campbell) to Woodsboro, and she offers her condolences to Gale. The experienced survivors of previous Ghostface incidents also extend their help to Sam to eliminate the Ghostface Killer once and for all. However, Sam declines their assistance and departs. Unbeknownst to them, the killer resumes his horrifying killing spree, with Chad Martin (Mason Gooding) becoming the latest victim outside Amber’s house.

Unfortunately, Sam and Tara find themselves in a bleak circumstance, having to drive to Amber’s house to retrieve Tara’s inhaler. Sam receives a call from Sidney, who urgently warns her to leave Amber’s house. The grim reality dawns upon them – the house where Amber now resides once belonged to Stu Macher, the second killer from the original movie.

The Ghostface Killer has lured Sam and Tara into this ominous location, where the nightmare first began and where they are now trapped and vulnerable. The killer tries to kill Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and reveals herself as Amber Freeman. However, there are always two killers, and the other assailant is hiding inside the house, awaiting the right opportunity to strike. Sidney and Gale arrive at the house, but Amber shoots Gale.  Undeterred, Sidney pushes forward, drawing her own weapon, and barges into the house. Inside, she discovers Ritchie hiding in a closet. But before she can do anything, the killer appears and pushes her off the stairs.

In a tense moment, Sam seizes Sidney’s handgun, ready to shoot the Ghostface killer. However, Ritchie catches her off guard and stabs her in the stomach. All this time, Ritchie and Amber have been the masterminds behind the terror that has gripped the town, masquerading as saviors of their beloved slasher movie franchise. As the climax approaches, Sam manages to escape with Ritchie hot on her heels. Meanwhile, a brutal and relentless struggle unfolds between Sidney, Gale, and Amber.

Despite their injuries, the two women manage to overpower Amber, ultimately incinerating her. Ritchie, too, meets his deserved fate, falling victim to Sam’s barrage of stab wounds. Sam also goes to great lengths to ensure he won’t return, shooting him three times in the head. She extends her gratitude to Sidney and Gale for their help as they part ways. Sam departs in an ambulance with her sister in tow, bringing the harrowing ordeal to its conclusion. The nightmare is finally over, but the scars left behind will linger, a haunting reminder of the horrors they’ve endured.

How Did Ritchie and Amber Meet?

The backstory of Amber Freeman and Ritchie’s obsession with the “Stab” movie franchise and their twisted plan to revive it is a dark and intricate story. Amber’s obsession with the Ghostface killer began when she moved into Stu Macher’s infamous house, the site of the original Scream movie’s shocking events. Stu, alongside Billy Loomis, had been the second killer in the franchise’s first entry. Within this house’s walls, Amber delved deep into the lore of the Ghostface killer and became fixated on the story. Amber met Ritchie on an online forum dedicated to the “Stab” movies. Sharing their mutual passion for the franchise, they hatched a sinister plan to recreate or revive “Stab” by involving the past and luring all the original characters back to Woodsboro.

Their scheme was carefully orchestrated. Ritchie positioned himself in Sam’s life, strategically drawing her to Woodsboro by having Amber carry out an attack on Tara, Sam’s roommate. This series of events was meant to mimic the patterns of the original Scream movie and ensnare the original characters in their twisted narrative. Riley’s intuition and keen observations led him to suspect that the killer was someone close to Sam and with romantic intentions. Little did he know the full extent of the conspiracy orchestrated by Amber and Ritchie, who had manipulated the events to fulfill their morbid obsession with the “Stab” franchise, using the past to create a new chapter of horror in Woodsboro.

Read More: All The Scream Movies (Including Scream VI), Ranked From Worst To Best

Trailer:

Scream (2022) Movie Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, Letterboxd
The Cast of Scream (2022) Movie: Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Neve Campbell
Scream (2022) Movie Genre: Horror/Mystery & thriller, Runtime: 1h 54m
Where to watch Scream

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