Scream
By Charles Cassady Jr.,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Teen slasher parody has strong violence and language.

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Scream
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Based on 63 parent reviews
Self aware, entertaining horror/comedy flick has gruesome images and violence
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I would say it’s PG-13
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What's the Story?
In SCREAM, the small town of Woodsboro, California, is shaken by the gory killings of two teens almost a year to the day after a woman was similarly murdered. When the victim's daughter, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), starts getting threatening phone calls from the "Ghostface Killer" who wants to use horror movie rules to play a deadly game, horrific memories are stirred, and she's forced to face her past and the killer head-on. With the town in chaos, its teen inhabitants celebrate the media circus -- led by fame-hungry reporter Gale Weather (Courtney Cox) -- by throwing movie viewing parties and dressing as the murderer, making it easy for them to be picked off one by one. Can Sidney identify the killer and figure out their motive before she falls victim to the same tragic fate as her mother? She'll need to keep her wits, and her horror movie knowledge, at hand.
Is It Any Good?
The film made a huge impact upon its release in 1996, cleverly playing on the horror genre rules in a way that felt smart and fresh. Directed by horror icon Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and written by Kevin Williamson (who went on to create the likes of The Faculty and Dawson's Creek), Scream brought a sharper level of intelligence, production values, and acting talent to the teen slashers that exploded in ticket sales almost 20 years earlier. The result was a hit that appealed to aficionados with its in-jokes and array of movie references and to audiences just looking for a fun teen slasher with a few good scares and a modern twist. Here, the media-savvy characters are hungry for real-life drama yet desensitized to its outcome -- a theme that runs throughout the Scream franchise.
It's a testament to the original that Scream has continued to make itself relevant to new audiences, with four more films released over the following 25 years, continuing to attract big names like Drew Barrymore, Luke Wilson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kristen Bell, David Schwimmer, and Laurie Metcalf. But don't be lulled by the star power and satire: The violence here is brutal, intense, and gory. Though the thrilling pace, high school drama, and steady jolts will likely keep young audiences watching, this movie is best for older teens and adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Scream remains so popular. What's the appeal of horror movies?
The movie seems to both parody and celebrate the "teen slasher" movie genre. How does it use humor to poke fun at horror movie clichés, and how does the violence make it a part of the very genre it parodies?
How are teens portrayed here? Is this a realistic depiction? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 20, 1996
- On DVD or streaming: December 8, 1998
- Cast: David Arquette, Jamie Kennedy, Neve Campbell
- Director: Wes Craven
- Studio: Dimension
- Genre: Horror
- Run time: 111 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: violence, profanity, sex, mature themes
- Last updated: April 5, 2023
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