“Scream” Delivers in Signature Scares but Lacks Originality

Remake of fan-favorite features a new cast with a routine storyline

Eager to cash in on nostalgia, Hollywood studios have ushered in a new age of filmmaking: big-budget, referenced-packed remakes.

Unlike reboots, these new films take place in the same universe, often decades after the originals, and usually feature star-studded cameos from legacy characters. Take “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park” and “Planet of the Apes” as just a few examples of this industry-wide trend. So naturally, 26 years after the original release of “Scream (1996)” comes the release of a brand-new chapter in this legendary thriller series.

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, “Scream” introduces a new set of characters and follows the all-too-familiar events in the storied town of Woodsboro, California. The story focuses on Tara and Sam Carpenter (Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera), sisters who encounter a new “Ghostface” killer. Tara’s motley crew of friends, along with several original cast members (Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette) set the backdrop for the classic whodunit storyline of prior “Scream” flicks.

From start to finish, “Scream” is hyperaware of itself; its position within the clichés of horror movies and its status as yet another sequel. Just like the first four installments, characters refer frequently to the fictional “Stab” movies, on which the methodical Ghostface killings are based.

Characters frequently joke about “elevated horror” films and reference how popular remakes always fail to live up to the originals. Added also are jabs at the occasionally toxic traits of die-hard fandoms, which in “Scream” are those of the “Stab” movies. Even though this self-aware and often witty writing permeates throughout its runtime, “Scream” ultimately falls short of crafting an original take on this narrative.

The very first scene closely recreates the iconic home-alone attack — featuring a menacing phone call and well-timed jump scares — and immediately sets the tone as a loyal rehashing of the original. Also just like the original, the climax of the film takes place at a house party, which happens to be set in the same exact house. An unsuccessful police investigation and a nebulous backstory about the protagonist’s parents also serve as similarities between the two movies.

So, while the story doesn’t follow 1996’s “Scream” exactly, this version takes many of its plot elements from it. Characters reference the many “rules” of “Stab” movies, which are stringently followed by the Ghostface killer. Even though some characters acknowledge the repetitiveness of this plot device, it does not redeem the story from its lack of originality.

Considering this is the 5th “Scream” film, the continual revisiting of this chain of events starts to fall flat. In an effort to remedy this emulation, the movie ends up spending more time cracking jokes to this effect rather than telling a truly “new” story.

However, the film’s lack of originality does not make the scares any less surprising or frightening. Even when the audience can sense a death about to take place, the expertly placed jump scares (and fakeouts) keep viewers on their toes.

Although the acting performances throughout “Scream” can at times come off as overly animated, both Jenna Ortega, portraying Tara Carpenter, and Jack Quaid, who plays Sam’s boyfriend Richie, contribute standout performances. Ortega, who is the focal point of the very first scene, plays a prominent and convincing role in establishing the stakes for the subsequent attacks. Quaid offers a gawkish though soft portrayal of Sam’s boyfriend, who also gets caught up in the mysterious Ghostface murders.

While the focus remains on the new Woodsboro characters, “Scream” does continue injecting nostalgia through the addition of legacy characters Sidney, Gale and Dewey, who offer advice and warnings to the new band of suspects. These familiar faces deliver solid performances and a few laughs, but their inclusion ultimately does not add much to the story at large and could have been done without.

So, while “Scream” made sure to hit all of its trademark moments, the story itself is missing new perspectives and personality.