TheScreamfranchise is known for its opening sequence, but an overlooked sequel memorably reinvented the formula. TheoriginalScreamopened with Drew Barrymore’s Casey Beckerbeing taunted on the phone by an unknown caller before becoming the first victim of Ghostface. It became an iconic horror movie moment and a definitive sequence intheScreamfranchise.
Since then, theScreamsequels have been finding new ways to shock audiences with that opening scene, includingScream VI’s opening with Ghostfacebeing revealed right away. While none of the opening scenes match the brilliance of the original, it was the franchise’s most forgotten entry that spun the idea most creatively.
Scream 4 Has A Creative Take On The Iconic Opening Scene
The Scream Sequel Leans Into The Meta-Commentary
Scream 4opens like most of these movies do, with two friends, Trudi and Sherrie, sitting around talking about the current state of horror movies when they get a phone call.The iconic voice of Ghostfaceis heard as the girls gradually discover this is no harmless prank caller. Before they can get to safety, they are attacked and killed.
However,instead of the expected title card forScream 4, a title card forStab 6,a movie franchise within theScreamuniverse, appears. It is revealed that the opening was just the film that was being watched by Rachel and Chloe. However, as Rachel complains that the franchise can’t surprise fans anymore, Chloe stabs her.
The opening leaves the audience unaware of what to believe and feeling that anything could happen.
Once again, it is revealed that this was also just a movie being watched by two other characters, Marnie and Jenny. Unfortunately for them, they are not in one oftheStabmovies, but rather two residents of Woodsboro who are targeted by the latest copycat killer as the 15th anniversary of the original killings occurred.
Indeed, a lot of time had passed both in theScreammovies and in real life. It has been over a decade sinceScream 3,and the opening’s meta-commentary acknowledges that it is hard to still shock fans with these opening scenes.Scream 4boldly tries something new while also building moments of tension.
The opening leaves the audience unaware of what to believe and feeling that anything could happen.It also comments on the legacy of theScreamfranchise itself, as this horror property has been around for a while and is perhaps not as trusted as it once was.
Scream 4does not get as much love as some of the other sequels. However, this clever opening scene proves that it is a worthy return that deserves another look.
Scream 4’s Opening Scene Is More Star-Studded Than Most Movies
The Cameos Uphold A Scream Tradition
Along with the movie-within-a-movie twists,Scream 4also features a collection of notable actors appearing in this opening segment. TheStab 6sequence features Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) and Shenae Grimes-Beech (90210). TheStab 7scene features Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) and Anna Paquin (X-Men). The real victims are Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected) and Aimeé Teegarden (Friday Night Lights).
The star-studded cast adds to the confusion of the opening while also referencing the trend started by the firstScreammovie.Drew Barrymore’s casting inScreamwas a brilliant twist as she was a big-name star whose death in the first scene shocked audiences. Since then, theScreammovies have continued to cast notable actors as the first victims.
Scream 4embraces this tradition with several actors who are some of the biggest names in the cast, yet they only last a matter of minutes. The fact thatScream 4committed to this trend, even with the kills that weren’t real, is a perfect way for theScreamsequel to play into the expectations of fans, then subvert them.
