Scream VI

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Scream VI follows several characters, including Jenna Ortega’s Tara, Dermot Mulroney’s Wayne, and Courteney Cox’s Gale, as they’re pursued by the infamous Ghostface killer. Filmmakers Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett kick the proceedings off with an entertaining, elaborate pre-credits interlude that immediately (and effectively) lures the viewer into the (slightly overlong) proceedings, and although the narrative’s initial emphasis on the central characters’ melodramatic exploits is hardly as enthralling as one might’ve hoped, Scream VI progresses into a fun and propulsive midsection that benefits from a compelling mystery and several over-the-top and refreshingly brutal kill sequences – with the increasingly agreeable atmosphere perpetuated by the efforts of a uniformly charismatic, engaging cast. (The primary players are all quite good here, of course, while Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett elicit affable work from such eclectic supporting performers as Henry Czerny, Tony Revolori, and Samara Weaving.) By the time the familiar yet satisfying final stretch rolls around, Scream VI has undoubtedly cemented its place as a first-class entry within a relatively consistent horror-movie franchise. (It’s impossible not to wish that the picture’s 122 minute runtime had been streamlined just a little, however.)

*** out of ****