Scream (2022)

The 2022 entry in the Scream franchise, also known as Scream 5, is both a sequel and a soft reboot. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, it reintroduces audiences to Woodsboro while blending new blood with familiar survivors. Below, we’ll cover everything from its ending to hidden easter eggs, behind-the-scenes trivia, and why it matters for horror fans.

Detailed Summary

The Opening Kill (Or Is It?)

Tradition holds: the movie begins with a young woman receiving a creepy phone call. This time, it’s Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega). Ghostface asks her about elevated horror films like The Babadook instead of classic slashers. Tara is attacked but, unlike many Scream openings, she survives—subverting expectations and setting the tone for the new generation.

The Return to Woodsboro

Tara’s attack draws her estranged sister, Sam (Melissa Barrera), back to town with her boyfriend Richie (Jack Quaid). Sam has a dark secret: she is the daughter of Billy Loomis, the original Ghostface killer. This revelation creates tension between her and Tara, who feels abandoned.

Legacy Characters Step Back In

As murders escalate, Dewey Riley (David Arquette) emerges from his recluse lifestyle to help. He warns Sam that the killer is following requel rules: a hybrid of reboot and sequel, where legacy characters are used to legitimize a new generation. Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) eventually return to face yet another iteration of Ghostface.

The Murder Spree

One by one, teenagers connected to Tara are killed, with gory, inventive kills typical of Scream. Dewey meets a tragic end during a hospital showdown with Ghostface, finally killed after years of near misses. His death becomes the emotional core of the movie and a signal that no character is truly safe.

Unmasking Ghostface

The finale reveals that Ghostface is not one but two killers: Richie, Sam’s boyfriend, and Amber, Tara’s best friend. They are toxic fans obsessed with the original Stab movies, frustrated by the declining quality of sequels. Their motive? To create their own “requel” by staging new murders tied to the original survivors, forcing Hollywood to make a “true” Stab movie.

Movie Ending

The climax takes place in a familiar setting: the house from the original Scream (Stu Macher’s house). Sam, Tara, Gale, and Sidney face off against Richie and Amber in a bloody showdown.

• Amber is burned alive after being set on fire in the kitchen, only to reappear one last time (classic Ghostface fake-out) before being shot in the head.
• Richie confronts Sam, taunting her about her lineage. In a brutal reversal, Sam embraces her violent heritage, repeatedly stabbing Richie to death in a frenzy, echoing her father Billy Loomis.
• Tara gets the final word by shooting Amber’s corpse, ensuring she’s really gone.

By the end, Sam reconciles with Tara, and Sidney and Gale step aside, symbolically passing the torch to the new generation.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There is no traditional post-credits scene in Scream (2022). However, fans who stick around to the very end are treated to a humorous bonus: an extended Stab 8 trailer parody that pokes fun at bad franchise sequels.

Type of Movie

This is a meta slasher horror film, blending satire, gore, and commentary on fandom culture. It both continues and reboots the franchise.

Cast

• Melissa Barrera as Sam Carpenter
• Jenna Ortega as Tara Carpenter
• Jack Quaid as Richie Kirsch
• Mikey Madison as Amber Freeman
• David Arquette as Dewey Riley
• Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers
• Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott
• Dylan Minnette as Wes Hicks
• Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mindy Meeks-Martin
• Mason Gooding as Chad Meeks-Martin

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Brian Tyler, who infused classic horror suspense with fresh energy. The movie also incorporates Marco Beltrami’s iconic Scream themes to connect with earlier entries.

Filming Locations

Principal photography took place in Wilmington, North Carolina. The choice of location allowed filmmakers to recreate Woodsboro while keeping production costs controlled. The infamous Macher house was painstakingly reconstructed for the finale, a nostalgic and symbolic touch.

Awards and Nominations

While Scream (2022) didn’t rack up major awards, it earned nominations at horror-focused ceremonies like the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards and received positive recognition for Jenna Ortega’s breakout performance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• David Arquette, who is also a licensed clown and wrestler, brought levity to the set despite Dewey’s grim fate.
• The directors kept multiple fake scripts to prevent spoilers leaking.
• Neve Campbell originally hesitated to return but was convinced after reading the respectful script.
• Jack Quaid reportedly leaned into Richie’s “too-nice” persona off-set to keep fans guessing.

Inspirations and References

The film is heavily inspired by the concept of requel culture in Hollywood—franchises rebooting with younger casts while clinging to legacy characters. It also references toxic fandom trends seen in franchises like Star Wars.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Although no alternate ending was officially released, early drafts had different killers considered. Deleted footage mostly included extended character moments and kills toned down for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Scream (2022) is not based on a book, but a novelization was released that closely follows the movie. Unlike some horror franchises, the literary tie-ins stick faithfully to the script without major divergences.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Tara’s survival in the opening attack.
• Dewey’s heartbreaking hospital death.
• The kitchen finale echoing the 1996 original.
• Sam’s brutal stabbing of Richie, reclaiming her power.

Iconic Quotes

• Ghostface: “It’s an honor.”
• Mindy Meeks-Martin: “Welcome to act three.”
• Richie: “The fans are gonna love it.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• A party is thrown in honor of Wes Hicks, cleverly titled “For Wes” — a touching tribute to Scream creator Wes Craven.
• Several characters watch Stab movies within the film, a meta-layer nodding to sequels within sequels.
• Sam’s hallucinations of Billy Loomis connect her directly to the original Ghostface legacy.

Trivia

• This is the first Scream film not directed by Wes Craven (who passed in 2015).
• Courtney Cox and David Arquette reunited onscreen despite their real-life divorce.
• Jenna Ortega filmed her attack scenes in just two days.

Why Watch?

Because it balances nostalgia with new blood. If you want a slasher that isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself while still delivering tension, gore, and sharp commentary on fandom and franchise filmmaking, Scream (2022) is a perfect choice.

Director’s Other Movies

The directing duo, known as Radio Silence, also worked on:

• Ready or Not (2019)
• V/H/S (2012) – “10/31/98” segment
• Southbound (2015)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Ready or Not (2019)
• Halloween (2018)
• The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
• Happy Death Day (2017)
• Friday the 13th (2009) – remake