By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
There is never a dull moment in the new slasher/horror movie
"Scream VI."
This bloody thriller from directors
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett ("Scream" and "Ready or Not") and screenwriters
James Vanderbilt ("Ambulance"), Guy Busick ("Scream"/"Ready or Not") and
Kevin Williamson (TV's "Pages of the Cult"), offers plenty of jump scares, dark humor and nostalgic moments to boot.
"Scream VI," which is the sequel to "Scream" and the sixth installment in the "Scream" movie franchise, picks up about 12 months after the events of the original film.
Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera, "Bed Rest") and her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega, TV's "Wednesday Adams") are desperately trying to put the trauma of the Woodsboro, California Ghostface Killer massacre behind them. They packed up and moved to New York City.
They are looking for a fresh start alongside their twin friends, Chad (Mason Gooding, "Booksmart") and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown, "Missing") and Ethan (Jack Champion, "Avatar: The Way of Water").
Tara (Ortega), Chad (Gooding), Mindy (Brown) and Ethan (Champion) are attending Blackmore University. They seem to be adjusting to the Big Apple just fine.
Still, Sam can't help but worry about Tara and she is constantly following her wherever she goes. Sam means well, but it's annoying Tara to no end. Tara is enjoying college life and attending parties and hanging out with cute, but questionable guys.
Sam is coping as best she can and regularly sees her therapist, Dr. Christopher Stone (Henry Czerny, "Charlotte"), but a recent session and a revelation by Sam, made Dr. Stone uncomfortable. Sam decides she can't continue the sessions with him and leaves.
When a string of murders occur that are eerily similar to those in Woodsboro and masks of the Ghostface killer are found at each scene, the "Core Four" know that their nightmare is far from over.
Then, when Sam learns that Dr. Stone is one of the murdered victims and she's linked to his killing, it changes everything. Yes, the Ghostface killer is back. He's hunting them down. This Ghostface Killer is far more brutal, gory, and evil when he strikes.
All those dead bodies bring out Det. Bailey (Dermot Mulroney, "The Inhabitant"), Atlanta FBI special agent Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere, TV's "Nashville") and TV reporter/talk show host/author, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox, "Scream"/TV's "Shining Vale") to do a deep dive into the cases.
Yet two of these people have a direct connection to these killings. When that unfolds, that's when "Scream VI" really gets good. The suspense and harrowing encounters with Ghostface Killer will have you squirming in your seat.
"Scream VI" is a tightly wrapped horror movie that enjoys poking fun at itself and horror films in general. I mean how many times can you get stabbed and survive?
I did miss Neve Campbell/Sidney Prescott who didn't return this time around due to a financial disagreement. Yet, Cox and Ortega do hold their own and provide some of the film's most memorable moments.
Overall, "Scream VI" delivers enough edginess, and shockwaves to satisfy blood thirsty horror fans.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"SCREAM VI"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
