#19 - Scream 4 (2011)
Alright, today we’re talking about Scream 4, and I’m gonna drop a hot take here: it’s the best movie in the franchise after the original. Yeah, I said it! And I know that might be a controversial opinion, but hear me out—Scream 4 does so many things right, and it’s honestly way better than it gets credit for.
First off, we gotta talk about how this movie basically predicted the future of horror. It came out in 2011, right when remakes and reboots were taking over the genre, and Scream 4 was way ahead of the curve in calling out the clichés and tropes of that whole era. The whole “reboot culture” thing it’s riffing on? That’s even more relevant now than it was back then! It’s like Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson saw where horror was going and said, “Alright, we’re gonna roast it before it even gets out of hand.” And they nailed it.
And speaking of Wes Craven—this was his last movie, and honestly, he went out on a high note. The direction in this one is just as sharp as it was in the original. The kills are brutal, the suspense is tight, and Craven clearly knew how to handle that self-aware tone without going too far into parody. It’s the perfect balance of meta-humor and actual tension, which is exactly what you want from a Scream movie.
SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT
Let’s talk about the characters because this is where Scream 4 really shines. They bring back the OGs—Sidney, Gale, and Dewey—and it feels earned. These characters aren’t just here for nostalgia points. Sidney, in particular, is a total badass. She’s been through all this before, and now she’s like, “Yeah, I’m done playing victim.” It’s such a satisfying evolution for her character. But the new cast? Surprisingly good! Emma Roberts as Jill is fantastic, and when we get that twist with her? That’s when I knew this movie wasn’t playing around. She’s one of the best Ghostface reveals in the whole franchise. I said what I said.
And the meta-commentary in this one? It’s on point. The whole movie is a critique of how horror had evolved—or devolved—into endless reboots and remakes. It’s not just poking fun at horror, it’s calling out the entire industry. The characters are all talking about how the rules have changed, and the movie proves it by flipping everything on its head. Plus, the way it plays with the concept of fame and social media obsession was so ahead of its time. Jill’s motive is literally that she wants to be famous like Sidney, and she’s willing to kill for it. That’s some dark commentary on our culture right there.
Also, can we talk about how this movie looks? It’s got that sleek, modern style without feeling like it’s trying too hard to be edgy. It still feels like a Scream movie, but updated for a new generation. And the kills? Oh man, they did not hold back. This one is definitely the most brutal of the sequels, and it ups the ante in a way that feels earned, not just thrown in for shock value.
Now, people like to complain that Scream 4 doesn’t live up to the original, but here’s the thing: it’s not trying to replace the original. It’s adding to the legacy, while at the same time poking fun at the fact that every franchise keeps trying to reboot itself. It’s got that same wit and charm, but it’s also a little darker, a little more cynical, which totally works for the era it came out in.
So yeah, if we’re ranking the Scream movies, Scream 4 is right up there after the first one. It’s smart, it’s brutal, and it’s way ahead of its time. I’ll say it again: it’s the best sequel in the series. It captures everything that made the original great while updating it for a new generation, and it’s got one of the best twists in the whole franchise. If you’ve been sleeping on this one, it’s time to give it the respect it deserves.