Scream (1996)
Title: Scream
Released: 1996
The movie Scream was released in 1996. It is a slasher film that follows the story of Sidney Prescott, a high school student targeted by a mysterious killer. The film has become a cult classic and popularized the slasher genre in horror movies. It features an iconic mask-wearing killer named Ghostface, whose identity remains unknown until the movie's end. Scream was praised for its clever use of horror tropes and its ability to pay homage to classic horror films while introducing new elements. The franchise spawned three sequels and numerous spin-offs, making it one of the most successful horror franchises.
Scream was directed by Wes Craven, who also wrote and produced the movie. Craven drew inspiration from his own experience with being stalked, as well as the real-life Gainesville Ripper Murders of 1990. He also drew influence from classic horror films such as Halloween and Friday the 13th while introducing new elements to keep viewers interested.
The movie stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, and Matthew Lillard in prominent roles. The movie follows Sydney Prescott (Campbell), a high school student whose mother was murdered one year prior by an unknown assailant. When she is targeted by a masked killer known only as Ghostface, Sydney teams up with her friends to try and stop him before he kills again.
Scream was critically acclaimed upon its release in 1996 for its witty dialogue and clever blend of horror tropes and was successful at the box office. It spawned three sequels, two television series, numerous video games, and books and has become a cult classic since its release. The movie also made stars out of Campbell, Cox, and Arquette for their performances, helping to launch their careers in Hollywood.
Today, Scream continues to be beloved by fans for its self-awareness and meta elements that set it apart from other slasher films. For example, the characters are aware of earlier horror movies like Halloween and Friday the 13th and often joke about them. In this way, Scream paid homage to classic horror films while introducing new elements to keep viewers interested.
