Scream VI is a 2023 American slasher-horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. It is the sixth installment in the Scream film franchise and the sequel to Scream (2022).

The kids have returned, and so has Ghostface. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s most recent chapter in the Scream franchise follows the latest generation of Woodsboro survivors setting up a new life at college in New York City, far from Ghostface’s small-town shadow. Of course, this peace doesn’t last long.

As far as Scream sequels go, there have been worse, but the wear and tear of the years are starting to show on Ghostface’s mask (literally). The script, while fun, is surface-level as it introduces pretty interesting concepts but doesn’t follow through. The movie introduces the topic of trauma and very briefly discusses the ways, or lack thereof, in which the Carpenters are dealing with the trauma from Woodsboro. However, these character arcs are not explored further after Ghostface’s first kill is announced.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, often referred to as Radio Silence, are extremely talented directors. The nearly-suffocating thrill and suspense give me hope for the franchise’s future. The chase scenes in Scream VI are very up close and atmospheric, and really up the ante, intensity-wise. Scream VI doesn’t exactly innovate the genre or franchise itself, but the mystery behind who Ghostface is is very strong. The kills are as brutal as ever, but many find the Ghostface reveal too underwhelming.

The Sam Carpenter-Billy Loomis storyline is interesting especially since, as viewers, we most closely follow the state of Sam’s psyche and we have since Scream (2022). She is slowly descending into madness and is probably the most intense of the final girls when it comes to the Slasher genre.

After watching this movie twice, it’s hard to deny that the ending plays it too safe. More bodies most definitely should’ve dropped, however, this movie maintains the formula and it works in their favor every time. This movie has some of the most creative fight sequences ever seen in a Scream film, which distinguishes it from your average, modern-day Slasher film.

Radio Silence does a subtle justice to the Scream franchise by sticking true to the formula and entering yet another entertaining entry into the franchise. If you are a fan of the Slasher genre or horror movies in general, Scream VI is a very satisfying film to check out- and it deserves a 7.5 out of 10 rating.

Scream VI is currently playing in theaters and is not currently available for streaming at home.