Scream

| 1996

Directed by: Wes Craven

Main Plot

Scream follows a group of high school students in a small town who become the targets of a mysterious killer known as Ghostface. The film opens with a shocking murder that sets off a wave of fear among the teens. As the killer begins to stalk and eliminate victims one by one, the remaining friends must navigate their relationships and the growing paranoia surrounding them. The protagonist, a young woman named Sidney Prescott, grapples with her own trauma while trying to uncover the identity of the killer. The film cleverly references classic horror tropes, as the characters discuss the rules of surviving a horror movie. Tension escalates as the friends attempt to outsmart the killer, leading to a series of suspenseful confrontations that challenge their trust in one another and their understanding of the genre itself.

Characters

  • Neve Campbell plays Sidney Prescott, a high school student targeted by a series of brutal murders linked to her past.
  • Courteney Cox plays Gale Weathers, a tenacious reporter investigating the series of brutal murders in her town, ultimately aiding in uncovering the identity of the killer.
  • David Arquette plays Dewey Riley, a police officer who helps protect Sidney Prescott from the series' recurring masked killers.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Scream, the tension culminates in a dramatic confrontation at a house party where the masked killer, Ghostface, reveals their identity. The main characters, Sidney and her friends, face the terrifying reality that the killer is someone they know. As the night unfolds, the group is picked off one by one, heightening the sense of dread and betrayal. The climax occurs when Sidney confronts the two killers, Billy and Stu, who reveal their motives rooted in revenge and a twisted sense of horror movie logic. They believe that by killing Sidney, they can create a real-life horror story. In a tense showdown, Sidney uses her wits and resourcefulness to turn the tables on her attackers. She fights back, ultimately managing to outsmart and defeat them. The resolution of the main conflict comes as Sidney survives the ordeal, symbolizing resilience in the face of terror. The film ends with a sense of ambiguity, as the final moments suggest that the horror may not be over, leaving the door open for future threats. This conclusion ties back to the overarching narrative of subverting horror tropes, emphasizing the unpredictability of violence and the impact of trauma.

Wes Craven Horror Mystery Neve Campbell Courteney Cox David Arquette