Cast
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David Arquette
as Dewey Riley
Neve Campbell
as Sidney Prescott
Courteney Cox
as Gale Weathers-Riley
Emma Roberts
as Jill Roberts
Hayden Panettiere
as Kirby Reed
Anthony Anderson
as Deputy Perkins
Adam Brody
as Deputy Hoss
Rory Culkin
as Charlie Walker
Mary McDonnell
as Kate Roberts
Marley Shelton
as Deputy Judy Hicks
Alison Brie
as Rebecca Walters
Marielle Jaffe
as Olivia Morris
Nico Tortorella
as Trevor Sheldon
Erik Knudsen
as Robbie Mercer
Anna Paquin
as Rachel
Crew
Director
- Wes Craven
Producer
- Wes Craven
- Kevin Williamson
- Iya Labunka
Reviews
Nathan
**_Scream 4_ breaks the mold of the franchise, delivering brutal kills and suspenseful scenes that keep the audience engaged throughout the entire runtime.**
The story is pretty weak, requiring quite a suspension of disbelief, as is the case with the majority of the Scream sequels. The introduction of new family members of Sidney Prescott felt a little out of place, with no mention of an aunt in the previous films. But all that aside, this movie delivers on what I have been wanting throughout the entire franchise: blood, gore, and brutality. The majority of slasher films have poor plots, but that is not why you are there, you want uncensored horror. With Scream 4, the blood is cranked to a hundred, with crime scenes left with the walls repainted, intestines falling out of victims, and slits that ooze with blood with every heartbeat. Not only are the kills brutal, but our Ghostface is too. His phone calls have a tremendous amount of anger, with some lines being incredibly messed up. Overall, it was a real treat to watch. In addition, the meta-commentary worked pretty well for me unlike the previous films; I do not know if it is just a product of the times, as I was only a child when the first trilogy was released, so quite a bit of references could have flown over my head.
Much like previous films, the new characters did not do much for me. They lacked any interesting details and were merely there to be meat sacks for our killer's knife to enter, and enter they did. Hayden Panettiere was a standout, who I especially enjoyed though. Emma Roberts was okay; she never really seemed convincing in the role she was attempting to play. Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox are badasses once again; I will never get sick of seeing them kick Ghostface’s ass while attempting to avoid death. I have been pretty critical of David Arquette throughout the series, but in Scream 4, he did a great job and really added a lot to the movie.
Wes Craven did an excellent job with the direction of this film. Where Scream 3 felt generic and uninspired, Scream 4 felt like a real passion project for him, with an infusion of new ideas to keep the series fresh. It was easily my favorite directorial performance since the original.
Overall, I really enjoyed Scream 4 and think it is the first film to actually rival the original. With a slightly tighter story, this film could have easily been the best in the series.
**Score:** _70%_
**Verdict:** _Good_
Mar 9, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Mystery film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Scream 4 presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Wes Craven brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2011, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Scream 4 took approximately 15 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $40.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 111 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 167 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 400 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2011, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Scream 4 shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Red Dragon, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Scream 4 subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Scanners and Martyrs explore similar territory, Scream 4 stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 13, 2011
- Runtime: 1h 51m
- Budget: $40,000,000
- Revenue: $97,231,420
