Scream served as a major refresher back in 1996. At a time when the slasher genre was experiencing diminishing returns and waning public interest, Scream re-invigorated public interest thanks to a winning and intelligent script. Serving as a wonderfully self-referential film, Scream impressed audiences with a delightful mixture of meta-comedy and horror.
The Scream films like to play into themselves, referencing other horror movies and the tropes that come with them. It was one of the first movies of its kind to do this, winking to the audience in a self-knowing manner while still petrifying them with effective scares.
When Stu Is Afraid Of Getting Caught
"My Mom And Dad Are Going To Be So Mad At Me!"
Many people think that Matthew Lillard stole the show as Stu. He's the most entertaining character of the original cast, bringing all the chaotic Matthew Lillard energy one would expect. It's easily one of Matthew Lillard's best roles. He really shines in the ending, after it is revealed that Stu and Billy have been working together.
Sidney chastises him on the phone, telling him that the police are coming. In return, Stu doesn't beg for forgiveness or show remorse. Rather, he reverts to a child-like state, cries, and becomes scared of the prospect of how mad his parents are going to be.
When Stu Explains The Reasons For His Actions
"Peer Pressure. I'm Far Too Sensitive."
One of the brilliant things about the original Scream is how it played with the slasher movie genre's tropes. The script (and Sidney and Billy) directly address the need for a motive. Billy has a complex motive, and Sidney inquires as to the motive of Stu.
But Stu doesn't have a motive. He makes a joke about being "sensitive" and falling victim to Billy's "peer pressure," but this is nothing but a clever, if funny, hand wave. Stu doesn't have a motive. He just wanted to cause some chaos with his good buddy. As Randy says: "Motives are incidental."
When Randy Knows The Slasher Tropes
"I Never Thought I'd Be So Happy To Be A Virgin."
It's a well-known trope that virgins survive horror movies. While going through his slasher rule book, Randy claims that people in slasher flicks can't have sex. If they do, they are liable to end up dead at the hands of the killer. Randy adheres to his own rule and hilariously reveals to Sidney, after a near-death experience, that he is still a virgin.
It seems like Randy is killed after Billy shoots him in the shoulder, but this is a mere misdirect. Randy actually survives, and it's all thanks to his lack of "experience."
When The Movie Mocks The Media's Sensationalism
"How Does It Feel To Be Almost Brutally Butchered? People Want To Know. They Have A Right To Know!"
Scream doesn't send up only the slasher genre itself. It also has a go at the media and its deep-rooted interest in violence. This is largely played through the character of Gale, who profits off true-crime book deals.
It also manifests through a glorious cameo from Linda Blair, who is best known for playing Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist. She accosts Sidney and asks her to recount her experience with Ghostface, which thoroughly satirizes the media's restless interest in carnage and blood, even if it comes from a teenager.
When Stu Acts Like A Silly Goose
"I'll Be Right Back!"
Stu is not one to take things seriously. While Randy is recounting the rules of horror movies, Stu seems more concerned with the young woman in front of him than he does the rules themselves.
Once Randy gives the rule to never say "I'll be right back," Stu stands up, asks Randy if he wants another beer, and says with a goofy, exaggerated voice, "I'll be right back!" It's more Stu goofiness to love, and there's another layer of comedy to it, as it later is revealed that Stu is the killer. He knows that he will be just fine. Sort of.
When Randy Explains Slasher Sequels
"The Death Scenes Are Always Much More Elaborate. More Blood. More Gore. Carnage Candy!"
Randy's laying down of the rules in slasher movies was one of the most popular aspects of the original Scream, so an iteration was brought back for the sequel. In it, Randy tells Dewey the rules for horror movie sequels, which includes more and gorier deaths. The use of the alliterative "carnage candy" is quite funny, as is Randy's enthusiastic delivery of the line. He is thrilled to be in a sequel.
But the humor also comes from how the movie subverts its own rule. Despite Randy saying that sequels are always bloodier and gorier, Scream 2 was significantly tamer than the original.
When Randy Says What The Audience Is Thinking
"Who Would Want To Do That? Sequels Suck!"
Scream 2 is arguably one of the best horror movie sequels, but it was smart enough to deflect potential criticism. The movie was in a precarious position, as its a widely held belief among film buffs that sequels, and horror movie sequels in particular, don't exactly do well when measuring up the originals.
Randy acknowledges that sequels suck in his film class, which serves as an knowing wink to the audience. The movie is fully aware that its very existence is a bad idea, so viewers feel much more comfortable and confident just going along for the ride.
When Gale Obfuscates The Truth
"He Wasn't Gutted. I Made That Part Up. His Throat Was Slashed."
Gale Weathers is a very literal person, and she's often prone to missing a point. For Scream 2, Gale is ed by camera man Joel Jones, who is replacing Kenny, who was killed in the first movie. Once the killings start again, Joel begins having second thoughts about being Gale's associate.
He confronts Gale about the situation and tells her that he doesn't feel comfortable around her, considering her last camera man was gutted. Gale hilariously corrects him and grossly misses the point, telling Joel that he actually died from a slashed throat.
When Carrie Fisher Has A Cameo
"I Was Up For Princess Leia. I Was This Close. So Who Gets It? The One Who Sleeps With George Lucas."
Scream 3 forgoes the typical horror jokes and instead satirizes an entire industry: the Hollywood movie-making industry. Carrie Fisher has a hilarious cameo playing a record keeper and former actress who, in-universe, bears a striking resemblance to the "real" Fisher. There are certainly some layers to this one.
Seeing Fisher is a treat, and it's nice to watch a major Hollywood celebrity make fun of herself in such a lighthearted manner. It might be one of the best movie cameos ever.
When Dewey Knows The Rules Of The Game
"I Know This One. You're Not Supposed To Say That, Are You?"
Scream 4 references not only fourth-quels, but also doubles back and repeats rules that the series has already established. Deputy Perkins makes the cardinal mistake of saying that he'll be right back, to which Dewey responds with the above quote.
It's a nice little callback to the original film, in which Randy laid down the rules and proclaimed that one should never say "I'll be right back." Hearing it referenced in the fourth movie 15 years later was a wonderful callback, indeed.
