User Reviews

Good scares, great mystery, realistic effects, scary villains, great acting, and great reveals/twists. Overall, a great slasher and horror movie.

A dated and familiar slasher that struggles to recapture its groundbreaking meta-horror spark upon a muted rewatch.130911 (2.0)Directed by Wes Craven, "Scream" (1996) is a landmark teen slasher horror film written by Kevin Williamson that revolutionized the horror genre in the late 1990s through its self-aware, meta-fictional approach to classic movie tropes. Set in the quiet suburban town of Woodsboro, California, the plot centers on Sidney Prescott, a high school student still grieving the tragic murder of her mother one year prior. The town is plunged into terror when a masked killer, wearing a ghost costume and dubbed "Ghostface," begins stalking and gruesomely murdering local teenagers. Ghostface taunts victims over the phone with trivia about horror cinema before striking with a hunting knife. As the body count rises, local news reporter Gale Weathers arrives to cover the story, while deputy sheriff Dewey Riley attempts to protect the teenagers. Sidney and her eccentric group of horror-obsessed friends must navigate the strict rules of slasher films to survive as suspicions mount and everyone becomes a suspect. Starring Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott alongside Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, and Rose McGowan, the film is widely celebrated for blending sharp satirical wit with genuine horror suspense. However, revisiting the movie in 2013 revealed how much its once-revolutionary parody mechanics have suffered from decades of imitation and changing genre standards. While Craven's direction remains sleek and the cast delivers energetic performances, the central mystery and meta-commentary lose much of their original bite and unpredictable edge on a retrospective viewing, leaving a experience that feels predictable, surprisingly sluggish, and thoroughly dated, earning a low score.

It is so good. The first death was the best death in the movie by far. I loved the character but GhostFace was so good with this one.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

I revisit 'Scream' as preparation for its latest sequel, but my perception is shaped by having seen 'Scary Movie' first, which disrupts its seriousness. I like it, but it has never fully fascinated me. Its deceptive opening, reminiscent of 'A Nightmare on Elm Street', reveals Wes Craven’s authorship as self-reference rather than imitation. The film works as a critique of the slasher genre, exposing its rules, though in a somewhat limited way. I appreciate its central contradiction: it critiques clichés while embodying them. Matthew Lillard stands out, despite issues like protagonist overprotection and unrealistic confrontations. Still, it remains a sharp, self-aware, and functional genre analysis, even if it never reaches the depth or impact it seems to aim for.

This film is another of my personal favorite horror and suspense thrillers of all time. I’m a kid from the 90’s era, the film wasn’t just a hit it was a phenomenon which isn’t something that happens all that often. What’s interesting about the film wasn’t just that it revitalized the slasher and who dunnit subgenres, but it also became its own franchise that continues to this day. There is just a lot I love about this film and series. For one thing, the characters and cast, each volume of the series had its share of familiar faces along with future stars throughout the years. Sidney Prescott played well by Neve Campbell. Neve is another of my celeb crushes as I have seen the show “Party of Five”. Sidney is one of my favorite heroines in the horror/suspense thriller genre but also one of my favorite fictional heroes. Watching this film is more interesting now as you see where she started. What I like about Sidney is that she has this spunk, charisma, energy to her; has the guts to fight back and not take crap from scum. like the small-town setting, Woodsburrow is another of the top fictionalized horror towns. Just the design of the whole place it’s obviously homaging Haddonfield from “Halloween”, or you can say any other small town you can think of depending on what kind of horror films you’ve seen. It sort of ironically funny because most horror films always do take place in small towns, but I like that because it gives it a homey feel and makes the danger feel closer, making you feel unsafe. But this along with the rest of the “Scream” series isn’t known so much for it’s kills but really for its suspense, intrigue, humor and clever nature that make the films stand out. I really love how the film plays with and even flips and parodies on certain conventions and cleches that occur in both horror and suspense.There are also a lot of comedic moments which all happen at the right places and times, and part of what makes some of them funny is because it’s true when you think about the movies. Two funny moments are with Randy in the video store, seeing that video store he’s in just makes me miss those places. Randy just says one of my favorite lines “Everyone’s a suspect!” and it’s true in the Slashers and Who Dunnit’s as there is no one you can really trust. Another of course is the famous rule scene, that scene cracked me up because just about everyone broke those rules which of course just increase the jeopardy level more. The suspense is just excellent, especially the third act where it is just a nonstop deadly game of hide and seek as we’re hoping not just will Sid and whatever company survives get far enough away from the killer/s but also find a way to defeat them. Really like the “Ghostface” killer/s whom are another of my favorite horror/suspense thriller villains. Whoever dons the costume it’s as if they been possessed by an inhuman spirit, throughout the years “Ghostface” has been a representation of the lunacy and evil within the person behind the mask. The thing that really makes “Ghostface” stand out is that he/she like to always play games and deception is his/her ultimate weapon as he constantly uses the phone. Really love that voice which just has that chilling charismatic cold vibe to him/her. The way the mystery is handled is so clever, some might be able to guess who the killer/s really are, but it still surprises us because the hints to their identity are so subtle that you might have to watch it again to uncover what you missed. They’re the kind of clues which you probably never gave a second thought to but should have. And the best thing about the reveal like as is that it makes sense giving it weight. “Scream” is a timeless classic where people are still screaming today. Rating: 4 stars

Greetings from Lithuania. "Scream" (1996) is a film that i literally grew up on - so for me it does have a nostalgia factor. I was a teen when this came out and blow me away as a movie fan. Since then i rewatch this movie nearly every year around Halloween season - it is one of those comfort movies for me. Strange to call film a comfort one were there are tons of killings, stabbings, blood and murder. But what separates "Scream" from any other horror slasher film ever made is the fact that it acknowledges itself as being a genre film. Genre that once in 80's was a king at the box office, and in 96th it was revived by no other as Wes Craven - a one of the pioneers of horror films. "Scream" is an excellent film in its genre. Sure it is flawed one - there some dialogs, acting that are questionable here and there, but overall this film works as a well oiled machine. The last act of the film is incredible, and the storytelling that leads to it always involves no matter how many times i saw it. Overall, "Scream" has great acting, smart writing, excellent directing, pacing, editing, and music - this is one of the best horror films ever made and one of my absolutely favorite ones. Great movie.

one of the best horror movies ever, the characters are interesting, the plot might seem repetitive but with the way it is told it seems original, it is not a boring movie at all, on the contrary, it is fun to watch again, it is not exaggerated, without demons, immortal men, a masterpiece

Ok! I can definitely see why this film spawned a franchise! A very good film that I don't see myself going to rewatch very often!

It's simply one of the best classics and provides an incredibly good start to this beloved horror franchise that continues to this day.

Четкий фильм очень круто выглядит убийца сюжет чуть наигранный прям видно и кровь не сильно реалистичная но это как по мне даже плюс

A horror film that dismantles and ridicules all the clichés of horror cinema. Packed with references, it alternates high suspensewith comedic irony. Enjoyable and well-crafted. Neve Campbell is convincing in her main role and Courteney Cox,the tough reporter. The opening scene with Drew Barrymore is **** killer's mask will soon become an icon of cinema and culture.

In 1996, Wes Craven reinvented horror with Scream, a film that openly acknowledges and subverts genre clichés. From its shocking opening with Casey’s murder, the story keeps viewers guessing as every character becomes a suspect. By listing the “rules” of horror—never say “I’ll be back,” never drink, stay a virgin—only to immediately break them, Craven crafted a clever meta-narrative that remained tense rather than parody. With jump scares expertly placed and a killer who is human and vulnerable rather than supernatural, the film felt revolutionary at its release, paving the way for a new era of self-aware horror.

Es interesante, pero sin mucho más que decir. Está bien, tiene sus cosas buenas pero no es la mejor película de terror que he visto

Perhaps it is true that Wes Craven breathed new life into the slasher thriller in this film. That would be fine, except that the characters are so irritating that it makes no difference who survives or not. Whether or not to see the sequels is up to the individual. What should be avoided, like a snake, are imitations and parodies.

What another great start to another good franchise. The killers in this movie were truly psychotic and they would stop at nothing to kill Sydney. Sydney was one hell of a protagonist and the lore behind the killing was absolutely insane. I always thought Ghostface was a very cool character because there were always multiple of them so it was hard to predict. The killers are actually brutal and I like how they tie in other horror movies in with this one. Overall, a very good movie and I would recommend this to anyone if they wanted a horror movie to watch.

A brilliant send of of horror movie conventions that doesn't sacrifice on the horror.

I have already watched this movie and it was very good. Although the plot sounds just like another generic slasher movie, it is totally diferent from others slashers. All of the characters of this movie are very funny and charismatic and Sindey is the best female survivor of a slasher movie. The benning of the movie is one of my favourite parts of the movie, although the rhythm of the film is a bit slow in some parts. The only problems of this movie are that it has a lot of slasher movie references causing it to fell very saturated and the final twist was a bit obvious for me. In summary, Scream is a unique slasher movie that I might have to give it an opportunity.

A piercing satire that also works as a well-formed case study, Scream fits the mold of a classic slasher movie while recognizing and celebrating the genre’s most common stereotypes. Often in winking, rambling monologues that crash straight through the fourth wall. With Wes Craven behind the camera, there’s no doubting its credibility, nor its working knowledge of those tropes. Craven had admittedly tired of horror movies at this point in his career, but the promise of sending one last love letter to his longest tenured fans, while also having a little fun at their expense, pulled him right back in. He must’ve enjoyed the experience just as much as the audience, as he’d sign on for three more installments over the course of the ensuing fifteen years. His guidance, wealth of knowledge and cheeky willingness to hold nothing sacred (not even his own body of work) are essential components that really bring this cheeky screenplay to life. Scream’s tricky mix of horror and humor doesn’t always click, but its wins outnumber its misfires. In addition to the tongue-in-cheek meta stuff, it hits the right notes as a teen comedy, a moody thriller and a crafty whodunnit. That’s an awful lot of hats, but they all fit, and they’re all necessary; the film’s diversity makes it easier to look past its weak acting and cheesy tone. Neve Campbell is nice to look at, but her stammering cadence is a huge roadblock. Jamie Kennedy’s character only exists to look us in the eye and flaunt the writer’s genre awareness. Matthew Lillard is the sole cast member who could reasonably pass as a teenager, but not necessarily for the right reasons. These all play into the ongoing game of nudging, ironic self-awareness, but that doesn’t mean they’re above critique. I’m not even sure they were intentional. Which isn’t to say it can’t do subtlety. While many such homages are spelled out in bright lights for the lesser-informed, alert viewers will catch an equal number of sly hints writhing under the surface. Both do their job admirably, serving as necessary relief for the ever-present night scares and house party stabbings. The killer’s wardrobe is similarly on-point; a simple but memorable guise that justifiably became an instant classic, right alongside Freddy, Jason and Michael. Watching this with my kids was a unique experience, given the abundance of ‘90s hallmarks like land lines, video rental stores and brick cel phones. One character is even killed by a CRT television. That it’s so firmly planted in 1996 is part of its charm, and still another connection to the old slashers with which it’s so infatuated. Imagine how many victims could’ve been saved over the years, if only there were an iPhone in their pocket.

An homage to the classics, filled with direct references to the classics, which became a classic in itself.

Scream is one that I don't want to sound argumentative but this is a cult classic in my eyes period. Scream offers meta, trivia, mind tricks and a manipulative formula that you want in a horror movie.

This is my favourite horror movie. It’s still so funny, smart and self-aware. David Arquette was born to play Dewey.

Legendary performances from Skeet Ulrich, Neve Campbell and Mrs. Cox in a time where horror needed a new terrifying icon and a genre refresh. The original Scream provides all of this.

Regrettably, it must be said that this latest installment in the franchise is quite possibly the weakest offering to date. While it is true that the Scream series has never been known for its staunch adherence to strict logic, this particular entry seems to have strayed even further from the rails than usual. The final sequence, in particular, is an unmitigated disaster, failing to deliver any satisfying conclusion to the plot. The only redeeming qualities of the film are its stunning New York City backdrop and the standout performance of Jenna Ortega.

Filme muito bom e a historia e bem boa e curiosa para você saber o assassino

Scream The movie that heralded a successful franchise of slashers, and helped reinvigorate the genre, Scream is a slasher that sees a high schooler as she tries to evade a serial killer wearing a Ghostface mask. I didn't have expectations when I decided to see this movie for the first time in 2023, but after seeing it, I've had a better appreciation for newer slashers. For its time, it was very delightful that the lead character wasn't portrayed as a damsel in distress. Scream references past slashers, and is also self-referential, but it doesn't work all the time. The cast delivers adequate performances, but the opening sequence by Drew Barrymore is very memorable. To conclude, Scream was a good slasher and it's even better that it could become a slasher franchise. 6/10

An inarguable classic of both its genre and of cinema as a whole, Wes Craven's "Scream" is an excellent horror film in its own right, as well as a truly juicy meta-analysis of the conventions and trappings that make movies like it so successful and iconic. I only wish I had seen this movie for the first time when it came out. Having grown up in the 90's and early 00's, I realize that I may have absorbed a lot of the twists in turns in this via osmosis, so not a lot of it was as impactful as I would have hoped. Not the movie's fault.

Scream was rated TV-14 on a channel, so I decided to watch it, and I think it's one of the best horror movies of all time.

A rare instance where the movie really is as genius as everyone says it is, though I’ve always thought Scream 2 further perfected the formula.

Vor einem Jahr wurde Sidney Prescotts Mutter ermordt. Sie hat es immer noch nicht verarbeitet und ist sehr schüchtern und vorsichtig. Tage vor dem Jahrestag wird die Klassenkameradin Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) umgebracht. Nun wird jetzt auch Jagd auf sie gemacht. Es ist das zweite Mal das ich Scream gesehen habe. Das erste Mal ist schon Jahre her. Trotzdem weiß ich noch wer der Mörder ist und das ist halt so bei solchen Art von Filmen, wenn man herausfinden muss wer der Killer ist. Scream ist beim zweiten Mal, trotzdem noch super und unterhaltend. Obwohl man weiß wer der Killer ist hat der Film immer noch genug zu bieten das man sich nicht langweilt. Man achtet immer bei den Tätern (die man beim zweiten mal schon kennt),wie man drauf kommen könnte wer es ist. Beim ersten Mal sehen habe ich eher überlegt wer der Mörder ist und viele Details übersehen. Die übersehenen Details kann man beim zweiten Mal gucken besser bemerken, weil man nicht die ganze Zeit nachdenkt, wer der Mörder ist. Der Film ist perfekt inszeniert und hat keine Lücken. Die Charaktere verhalten sich natürlich und die meisten sind sympatisch. Sindy und Dewey sind meine Lieblingscharaktere gefolgt von dem Nerd Randy. Für Filmfans ist der Film ein muss. Die Charaktere handeln so wie man so in einer Situation handeln würde und nicht so Klischeehaft wie in Horrorfilmen. Die Anfangsszene im Film ist perfekt und ikonisch. Dewie ist hier noch ziemlich nervös und unsicher was sich in den anderen Teilen verändert. Die Metakommetare sind witzig, aber für einige könnten sie nervig sein. Ein perfekter Film der einen der größten Filmcharaktere mit "Ghostface" geschaffen hat. Scream hat den Horrorfilmgenre stark verändert und hat ein perfektes Drehbuch, mit tollen Schauspielern. Einige Charaktere sind überdreht (Stu), aber solche Menschen gibt es auch im wahren Leben. 10/10

The first film of one of the most successful horror sagas in history, as well as one of my favorites. This feature film is, essentially, everything a Scream should be, that is a horror comedy that perculates and ironizes the horrors of that period. And it does it well.

What more can you say about an all time classic slasher. Great twist, iconic acting, great gore and kills.

A classic Horror Movie that feels more fun then actually scary at times, but that makes up a good amount of the charm of the movie, making the Ghostface mask the most iconic face of horror, if not the most iconic.

Scream is basically a Rom-Com movie with some serial killers and some murders in it and it surprisingly works good enough, Wes Craven is back making his second most iconic creation after Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare On Elm Street, Ghostface In Scream!, the film opens in i think one of the best opening scene in horror movie i've seen, and the rest of the film like i mention before, a Rom-Com movie with serial killers and some murders in it that surprisingly works good enough, it perform well by all the cast, cheesy parts here and there and the movie also known for the characters aware of real-world horror films who openly discussed the clichés that i found quite smart but sometimes overused but it's also still fine at some parts, Scream is still intense, scary, and quite terrifying, the movie is definitely there with all the classic slasher films like Halloween, A Nightmare On Elm Street, and Friday The 13th, and in terms of a movie itself it's one of the better/good one like all the films i mention except probably Friday The 13th, anyway, Scream is also a very entertaining film from the beginning till the end, it's good and i enjoyed it.

Love this move, also my favorite out of the series. None of them has come close to the first one. As a killer tracks down Sidney an tries to Kill her and all of her friends.

one of the best horror film. to watch very enjoyable. so to excited. I am sidney character fan very love

Final Thoughts: Scream is a horror movie about horror movies, making it very easy to come off as pretentious. Instead, it utilises its self-awareness in wickedly witty ways, cementing itself as a cult classic. For an in-depth look and more reviews, visit my site: ****/scream-scream-1-in-depth-review/

A perfect film that has all the aspects of an engaging film. The whodunit mystery aspect is best made use of only in this franchise.

A wonderful movie and one of the best slashers there is! Sidney is an awesome final girl.

A movie that redefines its genre, with a fresh take on tropes we grew tiresome of. "Dead teenagers" slashers were rarely special. Seldom have been done with this kind of style, intelligence, and self-awareness. By now we all know who the killer is, and who survives at the end, but the setup is consistenly strong, with characters we might even care about.

Scream. What's your favorite horror movie? Wanting to revive the horror genre, which was almost never heard of, Wes Craven decided to create his own masked monster. As a result, the monster ("Ghostface") turned out to be very recognizable and maniacally frightening, but at the same time a little funny. In the film itself, apart from the final action, there is nothing memorable. The main characters are well thought out and the actors play them well, and the gore scenes in some places look even better than the Halloween franchise. Otherwise, "Scream" is quite a typical slasher film about teenagers with a very recognizable antagonist due to the appearance.

I watched Scream after the first part of Scary Movie. And I didn't see much difference. This is a very mediocre horror film, it is not frightening at all. A typical B-level movie or even lower. The plot here is dull and linear, just one story. Even the climax does not catch the viewer in any way. Perhaps the subsequent parts are better, but the first part was completely unimpressed.

What can I say? Scream is a wonderful film, a classic of its genre and a real scream from start to finish. The production values are excellent with atmospheric photography and settings, Wes Craven's direction is to date one of his best directing jobs, the music is haunting and the sound effects unsettling. The acting from Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette is top notch, and GhostFace as a character is iconic. What struck me as truly impressive about Scream was its originality, the story is fresh and while there are some funny lines, there are some genuinely scary, jump-out-of-your-seat moments too. Overall, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Um tanto quanto superestimado? Com certeza, mas ainda sim gosto muito do filme que querendo ou não reviveu o subgênero slasher e conseguiu criar toda uma parada própria que influenciou vários outros projetos.

Легендарное и культовое творение от не менее легендарного режиссёра Уеса Крэйвена, можно даже сказать что это классика жанра. Сюжет держит всегда в приятном напряжении и ожидании что же будет дальше и чем всё обернётся для главных героев и выживут ли они все. Блестящий актёрский состав, тогда ещё молодых актёров так же заслуживает особого внимания, а то как высмеивают жанр хоррор вообще отдельная тема.

This movie changed horror. Other movies have changed the way that we are scared through film and this changed it for the teen market. The gore was there but not extreme; the stars were kids and the music for the new generation. This film also brought a self-referential nineties post-modern irony to the ball game. As a film it is very good with strong acting and some good jumps. It does lack depth although the light comedy makes up for that. This is an entertaining, if lighter than most, slick teen horror.

As One Of the most popular horror movies of the 90's and The movie that had a lot of imitators. other 90's and early 2000's imitators such as: I Know What You Did Last Summer, Bloody Valentine,And Halloween H20:20 Years Later. Basically I'm Say Saying This Movie Is Awesome I've Seen All 5 Scream Movie's. This Is One Of My Favorite Of the Series. The Ghostface Reveal Is Amazing, Great Writing Thanks To Kevin Williamson. Great Directing Thanks To Yours Truly Wesley Craven. Great Casting Thanks To The Movies Casting Director Lisa Beach. My Movie Ranking For This Series Is #!: SCREAM(1996) #2: SCREAM 4(2011) #3: SCREAM 5(2022) #4: SCREAM 2(1997) #5: SCREAM 3(2000)

Фильм гениальный, как по мне клише это фишка данного фильма. Убийцы идиоты не могут нормально убить жертву.

Scream is a perfect horror movie. Everything works, from the self aware and witty script to the well fleshed out and performed characters. The added layer of a “whodunit” creates so much tension and suspense, elevating it high above most other films in its genre. It’s sharp, focused, and filled with fun twists and turns. A must watch every Halloween!

Only horror movie that makes every character get attached to us before they die.