Scream 5 | Rebooting the Rules
- Forgotten Cinema
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
We're nearly at the end of our journey toward Scream 7, and this week on Forgotten Cinema: Lead Up, we tackle the first entry in the franchise not directed by Wes Craven: Scream — or as we argue...just call it Scream 5!
With a new creative team, a new generation of characters, and a legacy to uphold, this film had a daunting task. Fortunately, we agree that the team at Radio Silence delivers a sequel that respects the franchise’s past while carving a path forward.
A New Era Without Wes Craven
Scream (2022) is the franchise’s first film directed without Craven at the helm, and the shift in creative vision could have spelled disaster. Instead, we applaud Radio Silence for honoring the tone, style, and meta sensibilities that define the series.
The film’s kills are brutal and smartly staged, the pacing is tight, and the blending of legacy characters with a new cast feels far more seamless than many modern “requels.” It’s a careful balancing act, and this installment pulls it off with surprising confidence.
Legacy Characters, New Blood, and a Major Death That Works
One of Scream 5’s greatest strengths is the way it handles legacy characters. We agree that the film gives returning icons meaningful roles without turning them into parodies of their former selves.
And when the film does make the bold decision to kill a major returning character, the moment lands with emotional weight. It isn’t played for shock value alone, it feels carefully considered and deeply respectful of the character’s place in the franchise.
The new cast also benefits from strong writing and performances, grounding them in Woodsboro mythology without forcing connections.
The Billy Loomis Twist and Other Rough Spots in Scream 5
While we both enjoy the film, the movie isn't without criticism. We struggle with the Billy Loomis twist, finding it a bit hard to swallow even within the meta, self-aware framework of the Scream universe. Additionally, some of the logic surrounding Ghostface’s kills doesn’t hold up under careful scrutiny.
These moments don’t derail the movie, but they do prevent it from reaching the heights of the franchise’s best entries.
A Confident Revival That Proves the Franchise Can Grow
Despite those flaws, Scream 5 is a clear reminder that the series can survive, and even thrive, beyond its original creator. The people behind this movie prove they understand the DNA of the franchise while also being willing to evolve it for modern audiences.
It’s energetic, brutal, clever, and ultimately a reassuring sign that the Scream saga has room left to explore.
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