The Deeper Meaning of the Scream Movies

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Any ideas for which movie(s) I should cover next? Feel free to reply to this with your suggestions! 🎞

[@mdxiv6453]

The batman maybe?

[@tommyquinn5933]

Halloween

[@dallismurphy3802]

After the great job you did on this, I'd love to see something on Resolution and The Endless.

[@katep2485]

Midsommar

[@ThorogoodFilms]

@@tommyquinn5933 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWbYmYSVidmNqJI definitely more to say on that franchise though!

[@the_petty_crocker]

The entire presentation is brilliant, but I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your thoughtful treatment of Scream 3. It's so often derided in the fandom, but I believe it to be one of the strongest entries. Like Scream 4, it was ahead of its time and that Craven was able to pull that off with the unwitting assist of HW is more subversive than any Scream movie. Most of the complaints are trivial: Sidney isn't in it enough; Roman wasn't in it enough to justify his being GF; what about Angelina as a second killer, etc. Too often the social commentary and the characterization is completely overlooked. What Neve Campbell is able to to with Sidney in such a short about of time and dialogue is extraordinary. All of her strength and her pain is there on her face and in her eyes; it's interior work on the part of the actress. We love Sidney because we see her grow and adapt, and she's arguably at her best in 3. Roman is an interesting GF and was the perfect choice to close out this trilogy and turn the page on this chapter of Sidney's story. He was actually scary because he truly wanted to kill Sidney _because_ she's Sidney. She's not just Maureen's daughter or Billy's girlfriend (or his killer). Yes, he wants to kill her because she's the only piece of Maureen remaining. Yes, he's pathologically jealous of her. And, yes, he wants his own spotlight. He wants to extinguish the star he created, and there's an awful poetic beauty about that. He has real _motive_. When they faced off, that was the first time in three movies I believed Sidney could actually die. Sorry - I get a little passionate about 3. Again, thank you for this intelligent, insightful, and necessary deep dive into a franchise that, despite its popularity, is never adequately explored. Well done! I'm subscribing.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you so much for your warm words! I think there's so much to be commended about Scream 3. Great points, thanks for sharing!

[@alydanvers]

Hard agree. After rewatching Scream 3, I realized it was not nearly as bad as my memory has been clouded to believe.

[@MissAlmostFine]

Awesome post!!!! Scream 3 definitely is the red headed stepchild and it just has so much good in it, including what I believe is the true ending of Sidney's arc in the franchise.

[@raymondteodosbandlabvlog1676]

Scream 3 is a favourite of mine also! I don’t understand the hate towards it

[@nosticker4u862]

This comment… just… *chef’s kiss*

[@JoeyBagzPhiily0318]

Don’t forget… Wes Craven did do that.. Sidney donned the costume in the first one.. and also called the killer.. just as Sam did in vi.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Yes! Very good point. Thanks for your comment. I do address that at 33:46. The difference is that Sidney quickly takes off the costume, almost in disgust. Sam doesn't. Sam continues to wear the costume as she stabs the killer. It's a subtle but important difference.

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

yup, he's so full of himself and contradictory its hilarious. "its a horror movie where the characters know about horror movies" which isnt special in any way, Tommy Doyle and Lindsay Wallace watched horror movies in Halloween 1978. Im glad he at least, exposed his nonsense early on, now i dont have to sit through 30 mins of this rubbish

[@millyoneyedeaz1350]

@@ThorogoodFilms"he difference is that Sidney quickly takes off the costume, almost in disgust. Sam doesn't. Sam continues to wear the costume as she stabs the killer. It's a subtle but important difference." Its no important, you're just doubling down on a bad take and making an excuse for it. This is like when fans complain about Michael Myers face shown in sequels and make excuses for why Carpenter said it was important to do in the original. Cognitive dissonance is a bitch lol

[@SilverTongueScriptures]

​@@millyoneyedeaz1350Why are you calling someone full of themselves over a horror movie opinion? How does that even relate? What do you gain out of villifying a stranger over something inconsequential?

[@NationalSportsEntertainmentNSE]

Wes said you should never glorify kills. That is the bigger picture the guy is talking about.

[@featherguardian6023]

Love this Franchise as much as I love the Concept of Ghostface, in a way it’s more than a Mental but a Choice for really are, it does matter what Gender or Goal it is, the Result will always remain the Same as in the End they will become Obsessed with their Bloodlust that marks their Demise.

[@hashtagfilm]

Your first opening line about Ghostface's mask is an angle I have NEVER thought about before and has changed my outlook on the mask forever! As a hardcore Scream fan, thank you! ❤

[@creeper5051]

"Scream 4" was so ahead of its time. It was brilliant and by far my favorite Scream sequel.

[@givemeliberty700]

Never saw Jill as the killer I saw her as the next Sydney like Sam or tara, when she went ham at the end I was in love lol

[@mikethorne6938]

You don't need quotations. It's just the title

[@givemeliberty700]

@@mikethorne6938 this comment ... is just dissapointing

[@TheClosetAstrologer]

I agree

[@XvKJP2015]

I agree. The killer was so close to getting away with it and seemed legit crazy AF after the reveal

[@Marcus616]

I love the Scream franchise. It’s disappointing that we are not going to see Sam’s full story arc of falling into the dark side Joker-style. I would have liked to have seen Sam becoming paranoid by potential Ghostface killers that she begins to go after them vigilante style. Sort of justifying it as being a hero but going too far especially when a new Ghostface emerges. Sidney then can come in to help Sam but maybe in the end Sam sacrifices herself to save Sidney and Tara from the real Ghostface killer as a form of redemption. Idk, something along those lines. It would be different and there’s a lot to explore there. But, I’m not a writer or storyteller. Maybe Scream 7 will stick to the playbook which has worked or reboot the timeline.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

I agree, I think that could have been really interesting! I guess we might never know what the original plan for Sam's character was, if there was one.

[@mariannaatrash9410]

As a Palestinian, it’s even more disappointing we won’t see Sam’s arc because they were mad she posted in support of Palestine. Scream is my favorite franchise and it actually hurt to see that😢

[@XDarksoulX1129]

It would've been cool to see a movie of a ghost face killer hunting ghost face killer that's hunting Sydney or I guess Sam's friend group. And they're both trying to find out who the other is. Or both groups hunting Sam's group and keep bumping into each other.

[@connordougherty9860]

A formal apology and a solid paycheck I’m sure she’ll be back. Everyone has a right to express their emotions as it’s also okay to disagree. In the middle lies sympathy for both parties as well as apathy. I like Melissa she did an awesome job in Scream 6 and I hope she returns.

[@jojomcdodd8122]

My love for horror movies are starting to die down because of all the final fcking girls all the fcking time

[@kristi4113]

My favorite parts of Scream 3 were the interactions between Gale and Jennifer. Cox and Parker Posey made it fun and believable that shit was hitting the fan. One of the characters knew what she was doing, the other was trying to replicate that…and Gale was absolutely broken when Jennifer was killed. I think Gale resented how she had treated Jen and now she had zero chance to apologize in her own way.

[@ClassySaia]

It seems they had became friends. There was a point were they were holding hands.

[@kazverse17]

Love what he did on 26:18 - 26:25 editing the Ghostface on the Roman man persecuting Jesus but not editing Sydneys face on Christ was a very respectful move. You gained a like here sir.

[@nualahhh]

This is, quite frankly, the best video essay on Scream I have come across to date. Being a die-hard fan of the OG trio (Sid/Gale/Dewey), and being the same age as Sidney I really appreciated your thoughtful and learned approach to discussing the entire franchise, and especially 1 through 3 and how they relate to 4, 5 and 6. Considering myself very well read on the subject of Scream as a franchise, I was delighted to discover new takes on things here that I hadn’t read elsewhere or realized myself. Would love to see you do expanded takes on Sid/Gale/Dewey in other videos (as well as further videos on the Scream franchise/horror in general) if that is something that would interest you. You’ve earned my subscription. Very well done!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

So kind, thank you so much!

[@exhz]

Great video! I think the whole 'victim blaming' aspect of Maureen is because in the original script it was revealed that Maureen had sexually assaulted Billy and Stu.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you! I didn't know that.

[@davidbjacobs3598]

Wow, what?? That's wild. I'm... kinda glad they took that out. She isn't some flawless angel, but she isn't a vile rapist.

[@GideonFrost]

Is it possible neither Billy or Stu SA’ed Maureen? Evidence of any activity could have just been from her encounter with Cotton? I’m so confused 😵‍💫

[@LucyHill_1412]

WOW!! Thanks for that insight.

[@Meowdab]

...where did you hear that? because whoever told you is a liar

[@ThePhantomSafetyPin]

This is such an amazingly good retrospective on the Scream franchise and perhaps one of the most well thought out ones I've seen. It even caught some stuff I've failed to noticed, rare for me as a Scream fan who's seen all these films probably a billion times and loves them for EXACTLY what you explore here. Sidney in particular shows such an amazing character arc. We see her initial trauma, then her as a trauma survivor who loses everything and runs, then as a scared victim who eventually has to FACE her fear, the ghost that haunts her. Then 4 puts a lovely coda on her story by telling us what she is now - a survivor who used her trauma to break the cycle of abuse, unlike the various Ghostfaces that hunted her, who all let their trauma and their emotions obsess and consume them to the point of murder. This is why both Sidney and Ghostface are SUCH good characters especially together - they're perfect foils, and even though their story has been finished in 1-4, every single time we see either of them they feel a bit lost without the other. They're ALWAYS, literally always, going to continue this dance of death and stalking, because it's fate and because they are quite literally made for and by each other. And that's what Scream fans who go "oh let Sidney have her happy ending" simply don't GET. Sidney can NEVER be truly rid of Ghostface (even though the role has grown beyond her) because Ghostface functionally IS her mirror image. It's fate. She is The FInal Girl in this universe. It was never a choice. So, while you can have Ghostface without Sidney, as a symbol of trauma and peoples' suffering or annoyance or darker urges taken too far, because Ghostface is a cultural touchstone in both reality and the films, you CANNOT have Sidney without Ghostface - she is functionally DEFINED by Ghostface's existence and THAT is why she became what she is. Gale is very similar, Ghostface even touches on this in 6. Gale made Ghostface famous and in turn, Ghostface made HER famous. However it's a bit different because literally the two are tidally locked. Sidney could break free and define herself despite Ghostface, but Gale pretty much can't no matter how she tries, because she's ultimately responsible as you point out here for keeping the legend alive. It's because of her that someone somewhere can and will always pick up the mantle and become Ghostface again. When Tara and Ghostface both talk about how Gale is scared she might wither away without the story, they're kinda right - Gale is famous, but she's in a position where she's scared she could lose it all. That's why she keeps backsliding, she has her own trauma and the only thing she knows is media spin. It's incredibly tragic. Now as for Ghostface themselves, it's notable to me that Ghostface is almost always someone who is angry, feels slighted, feels like they need to take some matter into their own hands, someone who is kinda psychotic and willing to help someone get vengeance, or someone who has lost someone or been traumatized. They're also just... really clumsy and exceedingly goofy in the sense they keep making mistakes someone like Myers never would, yet still make it happen, and that's pretty damn endearing. People weirdly identify with Ghostface because Ghostface is US. Ghostface is a symbol of anger, fear, rage, obsession, and trauma. And who amongst us hasn't felt those things, hasn't felt that little voice come to us in anger and whisper, "God, don't you just want to make so and so PAY for what they did to you? Don't you just wanna go stab someone? Don't you just HATE being powerless? Don't you want... revenge?" This dark little urge and call of the void. The mask and the costume is POWER, people become mockers of fate and confident in themselves in it. People become something other, something predatory and sinister in it. People take on the mantle to adopt a power greater than themselves, it's almost shamanistic. We see ourselves in this dark character... and that's the mark of a damn good villain.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much for your comment! And thanks for sharing those reflections!

[@ThePhantomSafetyPin]

​@@ThorogoodFilms Thanks! I love these films and can see so much of myself in Sidney, and thus Ghostface. Sid is what we should be in relation to breaking the trauma cycle. Ghostface is what happens when you don't.

[@Elizabelle79]

Just found your videos. Scream is my favorite horror franchise too... at least, up until Craven's death. Fun fact: I was a teen when the first film came out. My friends and I joked about making our own home movie of Scream. I was cast as Sidney. The film was never made... because the two guys cast as the killers got WAY too into making it as realistic as possible... talking about coming to my house unannounced, and discussing at length what weapons to bring and how to allow for every possible way i could escape them. Im sure they were just enjoying getting into character... but i pulled out of the project. I got a little too close to feeling how it could feel to have your friends actually hunt you.

[@Fightingat40]

There were a number of copycats after the films release, I'd say you made the right choice to back out.

[@TheBigGangBang]

Yikes. Yeah good call. Listening to your gut is often a good way to not become a victim.

[@blondies2755]

“Where she instantly came… to regret” well played, sir 👏

[@ChairView]

Your channels going to explode. lol the research, the delivery, its all on point.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Aw that's very kind, thank you!

[@jedediahharper9092]

"an encounter in which she instantly came... to regret." That was a perfectly dry delivery, like it is just another point in your conclusion. I did not see that one coming!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

People have been pointing out the double meaning of this line, and I see it now haha. The funny thing is, I didn't even notice it when I made the video! I don't even know why I paused there, I think I was catching a breath

[@jedediahharper9092]

@@ThorogoodFilms I think it was fate. The only way to create such a perfect joke and delivery.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

@@jedediahharper9092 😂

[@RobertCliff-ml9oh]

The one thing I'd love to see is a Scream film where every character does everything 100% RIGHT... and there's still a true slasher film worthy body/kill count.

[@alexhuddleston3950]

TTG, this might be your best yet, and I can see how intelligently you're pulling together a lot of threads you've been thinking about for a while. Loved it, thank you.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much man! Very kind.

[@LifeLessons-ElderMillennial]

As a long-time fan of the Scream series - I like many who were teens in the late 90s - have deep love for the film which brought back Horror and slashers in a big way. Scream is again receiving its well earned dues from audiences and critics alike, but it hasn't always been this way. Scream 3 in particular would induce eye-rolls and groans (the Scary Movies have a lot to answer for here) and so many people were completely unaware that Scream 4 even existed. It's interesting that Scream 4 is blamed for the second planned trilogy coming to an end, but it was honestly the lack of promotion by the studio that's to blame. Scream 4 was not heavily promoted, which was the real issue - it came and went under the radar. In any event, with Scream 5 and later 6... the new team did a great job of largely sticking to theme, canon and doing justice to the original films. You've done a great job in summarizing not just the plot but the more hidden meaning. It's great to see people viewing this series with the respect it deserves. For a horror film series to have retained such a strong set of characters, ethos and cohesive story is to be honest, I think unheard of in the Horror Genre (I'm happy to be corrected) - for that alone, Scream deserves recognition, not ridicule.

[@Ohhbrittanyy]

Ived watched dozens of scream videos for years now and yours is now one of my favorites! Scream is one of my favorite franchises! And thank you for acknowledging how important scream 3 was! And also pointing out the shift between the og trilogy and the recent “trilogy”! Great video !!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Wow. Thank you so much for your kind comment.

[@VegasAceVII]

Not sure why the algorithm waited so long to show me this. As a fan of the series, thank you so much for telling the world what Scream is really about. I couldn't have done any better.

[@explorer8125]

I think too it’s how people think only the virginal pure of heart can defeat evil. And when you have sex you’ve sinned. But with how final girls are becoming more sex positive and surviving is just showing how the world is moving in a new direction. Where premarital sex isn’t as bad as it used to be

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks for sharing! Interesting that Scream still takes sex seriously, and has a strong category for it going wrong. But I agree, I think the filmmakers of today are reluctant to challenge the sex-positive vision

[@ct6852]

I think it's also that they avoid distractions and see their surroundings more clearly. So they aren't as caught off guard.

[@BansheeKing22]

Sex before marriage is still bad no matter how evil and degenerate the world and society becomes.

[@citrineshark9240]

I just watched your Black Phone video and then this one, and i think im addicted to your channel. I LOVE when people breakdown movies and media to dig for something deeper and you do it in such an entrancing way!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you! Very kind. Welcome :)

[@sillyweasel]

As much as the ending of Scream 6 leaves you with an uneasy feeling, you don't identify with Sam personally. As someone with some fairly severe mental health issues, it was refreshing to see someone with those genetically inherited problems NOT turned into the Joker for ONCE. Her illness is in no way her fault and she is so strong in overcoming the darkest parts of herself while still acknowledging that sometimes those parts make sense in survival. That she is left a strong survivor who is mentally unwell but NOT EVIL,...that's huge. She does everything she's supposed to do too. She tries to find a mental health professional to help her cope, she takes her prescriptions, she is self aware and not in denial of her darker impulses, she even tries to get her sister mental health support for the trauma they've been through. If Scream 7 was only going to throw that all away for yet ANOTHER tale of a mentally ill individual losing control or giving into the darkness, then i for one am glad we wont see it.

[@Tsukiakari-qb3tk]

This was my read too. I didn’t want Sam to become Ghostface as I felt it would fall into the trope of mentally ill people being evil.

[@nu-metalfan2654]

I think people tend to just look at the surface level of things, and not dig deeper into what things actually mean. For example the Slasher movie as a whole is a psychological and subliminal reference to Sexual Violence and Rape, the killer has a phallic knife that represents the penis, and the phallic knife goes through the female, and the final girl overcomes her monster. In the Friday The 13th franchise Jason could very well represent judgment of sin, Jason always targets the sinful youths that didn’t pay attention to him being bullied and thrown into the water, so Jason is a subliminal monster for sinful youths that indulge in Sex, Drugs and Alcohol. I mean in Jason Goes To Hell, Jason steps on a literal condom, basically saying if you don’t practice safe sex you’re in danger. For a long time the Vampire has been a subliminal monster that represents STD’s Sexually Transmitted Diseases. As for the Scream movies, the original Scream is my all time favourite movie, but most people tend to just look at the gimmick of the movie, the self aware aspect and forget about the story of the movies. The story of Scream, you don’t have to look deep to find the story of Scream though as it’s more obvious. But the story of Scream is about Sidney being haunted by her mother’s past, which is why the killers wear a ghost costume, as the writer Kevin Williamson wanted to convey that message that Sidney is being haunted by her mother’s (Maureen) past. But I hate that most people just look at the gimmick instead of the story of Scream.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Some really interesting points there, thanks for sharing! Yes, I think these films are much deeper than they're often given credit for

[@skylerringfield2337]

I remember watching Scream 5 and feeling this terrible and unflattering void where Wes Craven used to be. It’s not that the film was badly made, but rather like you mentioned how Wes’s subtly moralistic coding was just absent. I never felt that Wes would have liked these two new Scream movies all that much.

[@ethanblakley7976]

I really loved this, and so did my Scream fan friends (one of which who sent me this). Great research and insight. You've got something, sir 😉

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah so kind of you all! Glad you enjoyed it :) Have a great day!

[@darrylbrian]

This was so good! Thank you for doing this. I still remember watching Scream 1 in theaters and have been hooked to the franchise ever since. Deep dives like this keep my love for the franchise fresh. Keep up the great work!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much!

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate how well you've articulated your insights. You'll always have our support.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you!!

[@RuckBuckington]

Fantastic work, my essayist. Best look and this iconic film series by far

[@ThorogoodFilms]

That is way too kind, thank you so much!!!

[@Deseko]

Fun Fact: Funworlds employee didn't come up with the mask idea. They stole it. The origin of the mask is from another company: "The Alterian Ghost Factory" they had created a line called the "Ghost Maker" which consisted of a kit to make a costume with different masks including the origin of Ghostface, which was called the "Wailer"

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ha. Fascinating. Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherarnold6686]

I have never been so awestruck!! Amazing video!! I cannot give you enough credit for this breakdown of the Scream movies!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you so much! So kind of you to say that!

[@mariannaatrash9410]

I love that they reuse the first Stab movie in the other Scream movies. It’s fun to see how it became a classic - we see the release and the hype, then we see years later how many people have it memorized. Also, it’s my firm belief that the writers regretted killing off Randy because he has been mentioned or featured in every film since his death. They should have made it a quad, not the holy trinity, cause Randy deserved to live 😢

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Randy's death is really sad!

[@AllenGray47]

I kind of like the idea of his lessons enduring though through the other survivors. Everyone after him would likely be dead if it weren't for him initially

[@spiderquinnn]

this is such a good essay!!! you brought up a lot of things i've never even considered. very enlightening :0

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@derrismontgomery]

You gave me a whole perspective on the Franchise. awesome video!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much!

[@mariannaatrash9410]

Also - Scream 3 is my favorite by far and I know everyone hates it, but as you mentioned, we are able to see the connection between pop culture/film industry and everyday horror.

[@emmachapman1179]

I absolutely love scream 3 too

[@billysavastano119]

Same, all the fans hate it but its my favorite!! By far my favorite intro and the ending is just beautiful!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks for your comment! Scream 3 is a great closing chapter to that initial trilogy!

[@youtuber5669]

👍

[@minoru8391]

32:00 A lot of movies will bring back legacy characters in a "he's been calloused by his experiences" sort of attitude, and that's what Scream 5 tried to do with Dewey... unironically. Scream 5 loves it's meta commentary and self depreciation. But they did nothing to subvert any tropes besides the ones the Scream Franchise set up itself, and that's why Dewey's character in this one falls flat. He's not a parody or subversion of the "hardened former hero" he just is that and it's boring and unfaithful. He's a 90s boy. He's dewey eyed, optimistic, and sensitive. His experiences have just made him smarter, not a blithering, suspicious drunk. His death in 5 rings hollow, especially with such a ridiculously written scene.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Great points. Was 'dewey eyed' a deliberate pun? 😂

[@magellanthecat]

Scream was meant to be filmed at a school in Santa Rosa or Petaluma (I forget which). Everything was set and ready to get started until parents got word of what kind of film was being made in their children's high school. Parents screamed and complained. Filming permits were pulled. New locations had to be found extremely quickly. And every film that was supposed to be shot in that town suddenly upped and left. It was over 10 years before the town had any filming money again. Let that be a lesson to all concerned.

[@raymondrobinson9212]

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who sees the uncanny paralels between scream 3 plot points & the later Weinstein issues...... When I watched it recently "again for the first time" after a few years. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up........

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Watching it now, it's almost unmissable isn't it? Hard to know how those scenes were received at the time. I don't know the degree to which the public was aware of the manipulation of actors in Hollywood back in 2000

[@oskar_oskarewicz]

​@@ThorogoodFilms @raymondrobinson9212 I agree that watching Scream 3 now is even more terryfing once we all know the truth about Weinstein. I would bet that Scream creators were more or less aware of him abusing his power big time. Hell, Craven started in early 70s, when the bussiness were probably even more shady than it was in the 90s, he even did some porn to learn the craft and earn some money for living. I am sure he witnessed some f*cked up stuff within the industry over the decades. What I like about Scream 3 though that it's not preachy about it. It for sure condemns such behavior, no doubts about that. But it also acknowledges that it's not only despicable people in charge who are taking advantage of their employees. It shows that there are people who will use sex to achive their career goals as well. Wheter we like it or not, I think it lays in human nature to often treat sex as a tool, which is f*cked up, but it's happening

[@ct6852]

I wonder if Wes Craven and Kevin were privy to some of what happened with Rose McGowen. I doubt they knew the whole story...but they must've heard something.

[@AllenGray47]

​@@ct6852I'm certain there were whispers that lots of people heard, little tidbits that eventually condensed

[@ct6852]

@@AllenGray47 Would imagine Weinstein would've preferred the 'casting couch' not be brought up at all in the movie. Maybe he fought the storyline. Pretty sure they had a massive script rewrite after Columbine. Maybe they snuck it in.

[@Jackyll-x3o]

I love Sam, she's unbelievably awesome. Using the "power" of Ghostface for good, cutting down evil in the most brutal of ways, it's perfect. She's like Blade level badass💁🏻‍♀️

[@stadthaus.7266]

This was well done! Editing wise. Content. Heart. Everything there. Love it.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Aw thanks so much!

[@spc4507]

Very smart, insightful, and well presented with an intense focus that's engaging. Not mocking or dismissive like some other film theorists. I'm subscribed.

[@ThatStoryTeller1987]

I was introduced to you from your analysis of Happy Death Day and I really enjoyed that video. This is the film that got me to subscribe and bet on an idea that your perspective really frames pop culture. Curious to delve through more and interested to see what you'll find next

[@liveloudandidiotic6091]

This was an incredible introspective piece. Thank you for making this

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you! Very kind :)

[@liveloudandidiotic6091]

@@ThorogoodFilms my pleasure. I do not think I have seen a “review” video that was more thoughtful or concise

[@MoFace]

Just found your channel through your Abigail video~ Starting my binge watching now

[@BansheeKing22]

The concept of Sam going down a darker path and embracing her darker side i think is less a lacking of Wes Cravens morals and more of a step into showcasing how not everything is always so black and white. That the shades of grey exist and how anyone, no matter who they are wrestles with a side to themselves that some will never understand. Teras acceptance of Sams actions i think is what helps Sam to come to terms with her own dark side. Yes she has the same urges as her father Billy and her sister tera is essentially her grounding that keeps her stable. Had Tera rejected her i dont think Sam would have survived. The last thread holding her together was how her sister viewed her and so Teras willingness to accept that aspect of Sam was exactly what she needed to start her healing process and for her to finally accept and come to terms with her father and who he was as well as who she is.

[@AllenGray47]

Underrated comment. There are good monsters out there. Even in ancient times, our greatest heroes were ruthless, pragmatic, cold, calculating and efficient in battle, but they had redeeming qualities such as people and places they greatly cared for, even laying down their lives for them. The fact that they could do what others could not simply by virtue of having that beast in them made them dangerous, but their connections and care made them heroes

[@jack-ox9ym]

your honestly a goat u go in depth on horror movies/franchises that i dont see people talk about, i feel like so many people label some movies like scream as shallow

[@ThorogoodFilms]

That's very kind, thank you! Yes, I think there's more in these films than we tend to think :)

[@AGfireflyclass]

This has to be the best deep dive into the Scream franchise ive ever seen

[@NationalSportsEntertainmentNSE]

22:47 I seem to be the only one with this take and it outright enrages people She was 16 ish and did not have a clear view of the killer meaning she was under no legal obligation to testify. She's the one who went out of her way too swear up and down cotton was a killer. Gale simply told the truth It's established through dialogue that Gail did not harass Sid. Her first encounter is clearly when she finds her outside the police station That is why Sid refers to the book and not anything Gale said to her. The fact that she could be treated as an adult (many are at 16) and still committed perjury because She wanted to play judge jury and executioner opens her up to rightful scrutiny What kind of hard to feel bad for somebody who accuses an innocent man of murder on the record and then refuses to go on the record to correct the story. I don't understand how more people don't see how very selfish Sid was at times. This can also apply to how she treated Randy at the end of 1 and Derek in 2. Not to mention she caused Gale to crash and almost die and then didn't even check on her.

[@MissAlmostFine]

Sidney was a teenager whose mother was raped and killed. She testified to Cotton being the killer because that is what she truly believed. Gail does make her rethink her own testimony and part of the movie is Sidney reconciling who her mother was to her vs Maureen the whole woman. It's implied that at least part of Sidney's testimony is not only because of what she saw(someone leaving with Cotton's clothes on) but also the belief that her mother wasn't a cheater. Secondly, she doesn't treat Randy anyway that is bad. He has a crush on her but it's obvious she's not interested. As far as Derek is concerned, he is literally posited as a possible killer throughout the entirety of Scream 2. It would be shocking if Sidney, whose last boyfriend killed her mother and attempted to kill her, didn't have major PTSD and trust issues. That is the tragedy. That her experiences have skewed her ability to discern who to trust and who not to. That loss(among everything else) is what pushes her to self isolate in Scream 3. I say all that to say any flashes of "selfishness" can literally be explained by the fact that she goes from teen to young woman fighting her way through multiple stalker killers, deaths of friends and family and PTSD from all of it.

[@NationalSportsEntertainmentNSE]

@@MissAlmostFine You didn't address her not apologizing to Cotton. Also there's a difference between testifying and going out of your way to demand She could have pled the fifth but she demanded to be charged jewelry and executioner Also again she was a teenager almost adulting You're acting like she was 7 years old. Also also we all deal with s*** You can't hide behind PTSD for being a jerk to people. What did she gain by leaving Derek to die? Mickey already had the gun and the upper hand letting him down would not have put her in much worse of her spot But it would save him possibly if he was innocent (which he was) How about Scream 5? She wouldn't come back to woodsboro then she only came back because of her kids and then tried to force Sam and Tara(who was in a wheelchair) to stay behind to fight the killer When she herself would not come back at first. Just admit it she's a selfish character. She puts herself 1st and walks on others to get by It makes her a badass but Emma from the TV Series is WAY better because she actually put her life on the line for strangers Sid barely did it for her best friends

[@MissAlmostFine]

@@NationalSportsEntertainmentNSE I completely disagree on every level and that's really it. No need to even continue explaining why what you're saying makes no sense. We will not agree

[@issamatieh9000]

amazing video with great perspective on the movies and the genre!!!

[@Ven-zg3fj]

The Suzeam line won my heart this time around. What an incredible and vaguely terrifying concept. I love it!

[@ct6852]

I really love the scene in Scream 2 where Sidney chats with the director about fighting back in the face of trauma. And how it segues into her taking center stage as Cassandra. It was a defining moment in the franchise and in slashers in general. Just kicked the drama up a notch and gave the genre some gravitas. Also it was the only scene scored by the great Danny Elfman...for some reason. Not sure why. But the whole segment really worked.

[@blackjack7207]

I've been a fan of the Scream franchise and I really loved this video. I agree with most of your points in this video and this is not only a fantastic insight on the series, but also a great work that showcases your own love for it. Thank you

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you, really appreciate it!

[@sightsoundstuff866]

Really enjoyed this Thomas- subscribed

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much man!

[@Capricorn152]

Love this! Such a brilliant, well-considered discussion of my personal favourite horror franchise 👏👏

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you so much!

[@joechill772]

Great video! This deserves more plays and likes! 😮

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much man!

[@JediKryze]

Uhhhh….Pause on the sex negative theology. It’s more to do with the reckless abandonment of awareness and concern. The drive of social interaction with options of experiences(sex being one of them)is the advantage for the Opportunist killers. It is not sex exclusively. The scripting has allowed the mentality to establish the “sex negative = survival” as a ground rule. Tatum doesn’t have sex at all in the movie, it’s not even established if she has ever. Yet she falls victim. We as the audience know better that these “rules of survival for a horror movie” are not based within facts. So it is merely a reflection of scripting putting upon the notion art imitating life imitating art. Not a fact of life. Buffy the vampire slayer strips this philosophy away very effectively as Buffy does have sex and does not die in lieu of it. But it does have consequences. The truth about the understanding in horror movies is simply to live. It’s hard, it’s constant, it requires all of us all the time. Horror is the reality of life in its worse form.

[@Kayla-pm1eg]

This💯💕

[@vilecitizen8008]

I love this video! Currently ill and being passionate about this franchise this took that off my mind. Will definitely be following this channel more.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you! I'm sorry to hear you're unwell!

[@ezzyvvs]

watching this the day before Halloween this is actually a masterpiece of a video I loved it from start to finish amazing work

[@Cokenosrep]

Scream is just one of those movie franchises that don't need a remake at all. Sidney Prescott proves this by saying "You forgot one rule, never F**K with the original."

[@Bloodoses]

8: 05 “ movies don’t make psychos, they make psychos more creative”

[@Bloodoses]

I jumped the gun. I should’ve watched 20 sec longer. Lol

[@kendallchristoun]

Billy Loomis (as Ghostface) also said this in MK1.

[@Bloodoses]

@@kendallchristoun he does. Honestly I was skeptical at first but damn they made him fit. I’ve enjoyed him and finished in top 5%. Wasn’t hard just needed to be in the top million players. Upset that he don’t give knick names like I’ve seen in a vid or two. lol. Everything about him from comments and fighting style is from the movies. Every word and slash. We need another horror gem like Wes Craven. Bias opinion from a life long fan

[@schiffelers3944]

The way you talked about Woodsboro's need for a boogeyman and the mythos reminded me of; Candyman [1992] (the franchise) and Cabrini Green This is based on the culture coming from: Based on a true crime-event and Rescue 911. Which later spins of in; The Blair Witch Project [1999]. And its promotion as a found footage and missing teens.

[@alexandrubleu1384]

candyman died

[@jar5520]

Bro your videos are amazing! My eyes are wide opened, thanks!

[@Redinator0714]

I appreciate you letting us know about the spoilers. Not many creators do that, and I haven't watched all the scream movies and I didn't want to know who the killers were. I haven't watched the whole video but I will after I watch the movies, love the content! ❤️

[@fluffcake]

“Never heard your voice before, who are you? Who in the face are you?” - Sidneytaro Kujo

[@3SailorMartin]

Also the fact that hank loomis was just as involved in their affair as Maureen seems to be pushed aside (or is it simply a case of the "men will be men, i couldn't resist her temptation" way of thinking?)

[@swagatronog]

love your content man super well done

[@nonickels8975]

"maybe movies don't produce criminals, but there are certainly criminals that produce movies." That is an immortal quote sir.

[@bigboyskater-koi]

12:33 is an example of master screenwriting and no one can convine me otherwise

[@db7463]

Really great video. Well made. Interesting topics and respectful to all 6 movies. Thanks!

[@saintturbo12]

First time on this channel, introduction got me looking back at the screen 🍃

[@matheus71998]

Hi Thomas. I just came across your channel and I think you've done a well balanced dive-in into Scream. I would like to just bring a counterbalance to Craven's morals: his first movie, The Last House on the Left, was basically an innocent girl getting into the wrong side of town, getting roughed up, going through sexual violence, kidnapped, murdered, all just because the murderers wanted to. That was his first time directing and writing. Then we have Freddy Krueger, preying on people in their sleep, targeting kids. While he has morals, his previous experiences writing things can give space to open up an argument of how we should take his words on morals with a grain of salt. Plus, Scream needs to talk to with different audiences each time, with the velocity of how things happen - the 'true crime' genre is becoming more and more of a trend, and there's been countless examples in real life of serial killers whom recieved tons of love letters, or how a murderer was justified and pardoned by the public. Plus, the idea of Ghostface was always that 'it could be anyone'. There's no race, gender, age, weight, size, height defined. And it's been a trend to show flaws in the heroes, in those we are 'meant' to sympthize with, because that's how we are. We wish death upon an abusive boss or coworker, we wish death on our political enemies... it's a reflection of ourselves. As a cosplayer who has begun at the end of this year to cosplay Ghostface, I understand what is it about. Since i've tried to get as close as possible to the movie robe (Scream 6 version - the mask, the hood design and other details), one cannot deny you feel powerful. It's a kind of power that for an ordinary person who never held office or was just average, recieving orders and etc, is not used to. It's tantalizing. It's addictive. I've read a few books about Craven, about Scream itself, to improve my performance in my cosplay, so, it's great to see a guy like you going into detail. Congrats for your channel. You got a new subscriber!

[@pennywisethedancingclown2246]

How does this man not have 100,000 subscribers?!

[@Unkn0wingly]

Such a fantastic video and great editing! You should watch other movies/media and different genres such as Analog Horror.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much! That's very kind. Great idea, I'll look into that!

[@shinshakey612]

This is such a good channel!

[@ronanderson6837]

This is a well researched and presented master class on Scream. Bravo

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you so much! Very kind

[@spished69420]

This deserves so many views very well put together and interesting video🔥🔥

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah very kind! Thanks so much

[@brandonfindlay2249]

Wonderfully done, and subbed!

[@kznbavarians7765]

Scream 3 called it out before all of things we're called out for it

[@00Boogie]

I have a few thoughts, because there's never a returning killer even the weaker entries have the mystery of who's doing it and why. While the Stab series was intended to add another layer of commentary, I think it strains credulity because The Town That Dreaded Sundown got sued for defamation. The Stab movies gave an incentive they could get made into a sequel and more likely would have been sued into oblivion. Then again many true crime documentaries flirt with being as exploitative and perverse, so dramatizing the crimes as horror movies wouldn't raise the stink I assume they would. As for victom blaming, even without the context, people are petty and judgemental, especially in a small town. And I think it parallels nicely with the killers trying to frame the heroine in most of the movies.

[@TrippleNineSIXBandOfficial]

“A sexual encounter to where she instantly Came… …To Regret” lmfao!

[@treehouse318]

really excellent work! i'm gonna watch it again, and probably again after that...

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much!

[@connordougherty9860]

This was an awesome breakdown! I love these movies because they’re fun slasher flicks with a Scooby doo type vibe (who done it?) But I never realized how deep you could argue this franchise is. Also Scream is my favorite horror franchise as well and I’m sure that is the same for thousands of others.

[@vanzc7920]

I absolutely loved this. Scream is my all-time favourite movie. I also loved how you respect Scream 3. I love all the Scream movies.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you!!

[@TaradiseCity]

Loved this - great work!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you!

[@carterslade8771]

Your feelings about the moral core of Scream (particularly 5 and 6) match my own. Somehow I hadn't heard anyone else put it this way, but you did, and it's nice to see. I enjoyed Scream 6 quite a bit, but the ending was uncomfortable as I wasn't sure who I was supposed to be rooting for, and to what extent. If I had to guess, I think the movies were headed towards a tragedy, with Ortegas character being the stand in for Sydney Prescott (dipping her toes into the darkness only to step back out), while Sam would have been consumed entirely, the two left to do battle with eachother and the ultimate moral judgment left up to the audience. Hopefully, if there were story ideas on the page somewhere, we'll get to see them eventually.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way! Thanks so much for your comment. I have no idea what will happen with Scream 7 now.

[@carterslade8771]

@@ThorogoodFilms though I'd like to know what the plan was (if there was one) I'd be fine with it not happening.

[@crunchyfresco]

I was not a fan of Tera and Sam. I did not like after 4 but I understand the old cast cannot keep doing this movies forever. This new characters don't do it for me. They lack something the first 4 had.

[@matthewwarren6863]

One fact 2 teenage boys took this movie way too seriously when they dressed up as Ghostface in 2006 and killed a 17 year old girl who was their classmate and they had a hit list and they said the scream movies were the inspiration

[@newkoviak]

I think it may have been aol 4.0, me and a friend downloaded quick audio snippets and prank called a girl and she star 69’ed the number and the cops supposedly came looking for us.

[@seannanana84]

I love the Scream franchise a great deal and know quite a bit about it but I always appreciate a good thoightful analysis especially since 5 ans 6 haven't been out long enough to have as much content about them. This was genuinely one of the best video essays I've seen. So well thought out and it made me genuinely want to watch Scream 3 even though I never cared for that one.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you so much, that's really kind!

[@Father_of_Death]

Even with more emphasis placed on the humor "Scream 3" is the darkest film of the original trilogy.

[@codemanthe2nd343]

Fantastic video

[@oskar_oskarewicz]

Great analysis, thank you very much :)

[@schiffelers3944]

I'll be back.... Wow, what a good video essay. Got me thinking along the way, why I will be back to take some notes. Man, what a excelent writing and use of wordings/words. Also with other things and aspects you mentioned but broader than just Scream & the Edvard Much, The Scream (painting). You didn't mention Rose Mcgowen and her experience with Weinstein while producing Scream 1 - which makes Scream 3 ironic in multiple ways. Craven and the last house on the left being his first movie also. The Nightmare on Elmstreet, Patricia Arquette and the theories on why she wasn't in Nightmare 4, and Nightmare 5 = Dream child. Also Halloween, very well might be inspired by the murder of Martha Moxley october 30, 1975 and the Kennedy family trying to keep that as quiet as possible at that time as well. To me the story tellers wanted to go a different direction as Halloween 3 was explained, but fans and listening to what they want.... The curse of Thor, the Halloween traditions, Burning Man, etc. the monsters in the closet and under the beds - other plain and simple mortal human beings being immortalized.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks for your comment, that's very kind! Thanks for those insights as well

[@gameboylex1862]

Scream has always been deeper than just a slasher. It explores the depth of trust, loyalty, and misdirection in and on so many levels. The tv series expresses this so well, allowing characters to develop over a course of episodes ands seasons. Giving dynamic to characters… I think scream 5 and 6 focused more on brutality than they did in telling a story and involving the current world. Scream 7 can do two things at once though. Use Sam as the catalyst to a truly horrifying revelation.. her controlling or overprotective demeanor might push her to her worst nightmare… she enjoys killing.. only for it to be revealed later in the movie though. Whilst during the movie there are murders and she’s being haunted by a ghost face. The twist being that her own sister is out to kill Sam before she does it to her. And in classic fashion they assume each other to be the killers committing the murders assuming the other has went psycho, only to find that Sidney finally saw enough and couldn’t allow Sam and her sister to leave unscathed… whilst she battles years of loss and murder, dark shadows ands nightmares of unshakeable weight keeping her down. The perfect daughter of Billy loomis vs his first and last mistake in Sidney.

[@dj-chemicalz811]

one thing ive never seen brought up about Maureen is this simple fact. In certain cases of sexual assault victims can develop hyper sexualization as a result. This isn't to imply that they enjoyed that encounter but because by having numerous sexual encounters on their own terms its almost like a way of reclaiming the thing that was stolen from them the right to choose and to have power in an intimate encounter. Maureen more than likely wasn't just some 'slut bag whore' but a deeply traumatized woman who whether she knew it or not was trying to reclaim that sense of power, control and bodily autonomy that was ripped away from her during her time in hollywood. was this a good thing overrall? absolutely not, but its just one extra layer of tragedy for that poor girl

[@Lei-AICPhD]

The Scream franchise is my favorite! Scream is my favorite, I love watching it, them over and over. It’s like the first time, each time! I never get bored. My preferred favorite choices are: Scream OG Scream 3 Scream 4 Scream 5 Scream 2 Scream 6 My Son and I have been watching them together since he was a little and he was born in the late 00’s.

[@EclecticDD]

Not disagreeing with you, but the final girl trope. Laurie was smoking weed in the car, and we don't know that Laurie hasn't had sex ever, she just wasn't having sex that night. Anyhow, good video, it definitely has motivated me to watch more of your videos.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

That's a good point! Thanks for sharing. She is certainly framed as the most responsible of her group. And she definitely isn't racing to have sex the way her friends are

[@seanacklandauthor]

Mate, this is excellent and your view count unfortunately doesn't reflect the quality of this video. It will eventually, just keep doing what you're doing. I've watched many of these kinds of breakdowns - this is the one of the best.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much! That's really kind!

[@ghostslayer1981]

Honestly, overall, this franchise had the message both the current SpiderVerse (2018, 2023) movies put out: Anyone can wear the Mask. But unlike Spiderman, where it's more hopeful and uplifting as anyone can be a hero, Scream gives us the more haunting message: anyone can be a killer. Anyone at any point can decide to be a murderer and take lives, ruin them. Its why serial killers are always so gleeful at times like the Columbine shooters. They know someone will look up to them, and someone will want to recreate their "masterpiece." Scream 5's killers main motive is even that exactly: Richie and Amber hated how Stab treated Billy and Stus original massacre, so they set out to recreate it. Anyone can be a hero, anyone can be a killer. Thats not to say be wary of anyone. Thats how you go out with fear. It simply says to know your world, be aware of its ups and downs. Honestly, people have said it before, but it rings true here: what makes Scream so scary is the fact that unlike Jason, Freddy, Leatherface, and Micheal, is that Scream is REAL. Scream never goes away, the villian never truly dies, it just goes back in for hibernation until the next individual chooses to wake it up.

[@jawhoney]

Love it bro

[@Gurlzup123]

The conversation about the parties her mom went to hits different now with the Diddy situation going on...