‘Scream 4’ 10 Years Later: Meta-Horror is Even Scarier

April 23, 2021

Scream was meant to be a trilogy. But seeing as we’re currently, impatiently, waiting for the hugely anticipated Scream 5, that was never going to be the case for the iconic meta slasher franchise. Scream 4 recently turned 10, so here’s looking back at arguably the second-best movie in the series (after the first movie, obvs).

While Scream 3 introduced the uber-meta, merch-inspiring, cult-following inducing Stab movies, that shock-twist ending felt a little too forced and slap-dash. Scream 4, however, brings it back around to a link with Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) that’s actually believable and makes sense, and introduces us to a new generation of Ghostface killers inspired by the events of the first movie. It’s come full circle, and it’s glorious.

Not only that, but now, ten years later, Scream 4 is even more relevant, bringing the idea of vlogging and social media into the plot. While it wasn’t as big a thing then, now, the idea of posting your murderous ways to achieve internet notoriety isn’t only plausible, it’s actually happened.

Upon its original release, though, it wasn’t so favorable amongst critics. It holds 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critical consensus reading, “The franchise is showing its age, but Scream 4 is undeniably an improvement over its predecessor, with just enough meta humor and clever kills.” Some critics just didn’t appreciate the dark comedy streak in the movie, and considered it dated and relying on cliches from its predecessors.

Pfft. What do critics know?

Scream 4 introduces horror fans to Emma Roberts, a few years before she became everyone’s favorite witch-bitch in American Horror Story, and straight-up bitch in Scream Queens (R.I.P., gone too soon). Here she’s Jill, the adorable girl-next-door cousin of our heroic protagonist (seriously, she’s been through SO much, I think I can speak for us all when I say for the love of god, can Sidney Prescott catch a break for once?!). Exactly 15 years since the original Woodsboro massacre, a new Ghostface killer strikes, and our dear ol’ Sidney – who’s in town to promote her new book – ends up a suspect. Beloved hapless cop Dewey Riley (David Arquette) is now Sheriff of Woodsboro, and after plucking up the courage to ask her to marry him in Scream 3, Gale Weathers-Riley (Courteney Cox) comes back to investigate the new murders to distract from her writer’s block.

So, we’ve got the whole gang back together again, which means sick-hilarity and gloriously gory deaths are bound to ensue!

The twisty ending mirrors the first movie fabulously, as Jill is unveiled as the killer, and she mutilates herself to frame her ex-boyfriend Trevor (Nico Tortorella) as the killer. Jill’s motive again is even more terrifying while rewatching today, as she claims it was all out of jealousy for Sidney’s fame as the survivor of the traumatic murders. Because kids these days are desperate to be famous.

Scream 4 is an often overlooked part of the franchise, despite it being (subjectively) the second-best in the series. Not only does it carry on the legacy of the original movies, it gives the series a reboot-y sequel that makes the idea of Scream in the modern-day a plausible and exciting prospect. All we can do it hope that Scream 5 does the series the justice this movie did.