Everything We Know About Scream VI

Everything We Know About Scream VI

When you’ve already done five increasingly meta and self-referential horror movies, where do you have left to go? Well, New York City, apparently. Just as Jason Voorhees did 34 years ago, the Scream franchise takes Manhattan in the upcoming Scream VI , a direct sequel to 2022’s Scream (which was technically Scream V, but opted not to have the Roman numeral designation to play into the whole “requel” theme that was so integral to the story).
By now, we all know that the point of any Scream movie is that it’s part whodunit and part commentary on the cliches and...

When you’ve already done five increasingly meta and self-referential horror movies, where do you have left to go? Well, New York City, apparently. Just as Jason Voorhees did 34 years ago, the Scream franchise takes Manhattan in the upcoming Scream VI , a direct sequel to 2022’s Scream (which was technically Scream V, but opted not to have the Roman numeral designation to play into the whole “requel” theme that was so integral to the story).
By now, we all know that the point of any Scream movie is that it’s part whodunit and part commentary on the cliches and tropes of the horror genre, so its movies are always going to go in for a little misdirection and some knowing winks at the fact that it knows that you know where this is all going, but getting there is 90% of the fun. The first trailer sets the stage. We’re not in Woodsboro anymore.
So without knowing what twists and turns await us, here’s what we know so far about Scream VI. The Survivors of Scream (2022) Are Back for More (Photo by Philippe Bosse/Paramount Pictures)
The new movie follows sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter (Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega) who, obviously, made it out of the last movie in once piece (despite Tara seemingly being earmarked for a Drew Barrymore-esque quick exit right in the beginning). Sam’s bloodline connection to original Scream (1996) killer Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) will once again be a major story point this time around as well – is she just a victim, or will her father’s dark side manifest itself? (Note she says, “There’s a darkness inside of me” in the trailer). Twins Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding) also follow the Carpenter sister to the big city, and tabloid TV journalist-turned-best-selling-author Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) returns to her NYC home turf to once again get caught up in the mayhem. The Team Behind the Scenes Returns As Well (Photo by Brownie Harris/Paramount Pictures)
The entire crew behind Scream (2022) are back, too. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett ( Ready or Not ) are once again at the helm, alongside producers William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein. Vanderbilt also co-wrote the script with Guy Busick, like they did for the last installment. The whole creative team returning combined with the fact that these sequels are coming out in much quicker succession than previous Scream films (which usually had a few years’ gap time in between) gives Scream VI the feeling of being a more direct and urgent continuation of the story. Unfortunately, Neve Campbell Has Tapped Out (Photo by Brownie Harris/Paramount Pictures)
Despite returning for Scream V, original star Neve Campbell won’t be making the trek to the Big Apple. Sidney Prescott is still very much alive, but Campbell has cited contractual drama as the reason she won’t be joining the hunt for the latest Ghostface. The actress released a statement explaining the situation to fans, saying, “Sadly I won’t be making the next Scream film. As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise. It’s been a very difficult decision to move on. To all my Scream fans, I love you. You’ve always been so incredibly supportive to me. I’m forever grateful to you and to what this franchise has given me over the past 25 years.” …But Hayden Panettiere Is Back In (Photo by Philippe Bosse/Paramount Pictures)
What’s something horror movies have always taught us? If you don’t see a character’s final breath, you can’t ever assume they’re actually dead. Despite appearing to be killed in Scream 4, we never got conclusive proof that Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby Reed was a goner. An Easter Egg in Scream V teased her fate – While Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) is...