Scream
(1996)
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A hyper-intelligent serial killer preys on the teenage denizens of a small town, using their fascination with horror movie conventions to set up his diabolical doings. An intelligent, well-crafted thriller from the creator of "A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET." The deluxe version contains a behind-the-scenes featurette and running audio commentary from Craven. |
The 1990s horror revival started here, with director Wes Craven's intelligent reinvention of the slasher genre. Gleefully exploring the relationship between gore movies and their core audience, while paying clever homage to such key titles as Halloween and Friday the 13th, the elaborate script subversively keeps things scary even when sinister events are at their funniest. A sick maniac on the loose in a small suburban town murdering anyone who gets horror trivia questions wrong is all Craven needs to expose the genre's knee-jerk devices in this terrific shocker that has gasps galore and a genuinely surprising denouement.
Halliwell's Film Guide
A knowing romp through the conventions of slasher movies, but one that also manages to scare as well; it is most likely to appeal to those familiar with the genre, who will appreciate its parodies.