Scream 2 (1997)
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A sequel to the original slasher film follows survivors of a massacre as they are targeted by a copycat killer using the identity of Ghostface.
The story
Scream 2 follows the character of Sidney Prescott and the other survivors of the Woodsboro massacre. They gather at the fictional Windsor College in Ohio, where they are targeted by a copycat killer using the identity of Ghostface. The film blends the violence of the slasher genre with elements of comedy, satire, and a "whodunit" mystery while satirizing the cliché of film sequels. The narrative builds tension as the survivors attempt to navigate the threat of a new killer who is mimicking the events of the previous massacre.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Two Windsor College students, Maureen Evans and Phil Stevens, are at a premiere of the film 'Stab' when Phil is killed by a figure in a Ghostface costume. The news brings Sidney Prescott and other survivors of the Woodsboro massacre to the campus. Among them are Gale Weathers, Dewey Riley, and Randy Meeks. A series of murders begins, and the characters realize the killer is targeting students with names similar to the original victims. After several deaths, including Randy and a student named Cici, the truth about the killers is revealed. The culprits are revealed to be Mickey, who wants to blame movie violence for the murders, and his accomplice Debbie Salt (revealed to be Nancy Loomis). Nancy seeks revenge against Sidney for the death of her son, Billy Loomis. In the final confrontation, Sidney faces off against both Mickey and Nancy. After a struggle involving Cotton Weary, Sidney ultimately kills both villains to ensure their deaths.
- First release year
- 1997
- Runtime (minutes)
- 120
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Wes Craven
- Writers
- Kevin Williamson · writer
- Cast and characters
- David Arquette · Dewey Riley; Neve Campbell · Sidney Prescott; Courteney Cox · Gale Weathers; Sarah Michelle Gellar · Cici Cooper; Jamie Kennedy · Randy Meeks; Jerry O'Connell · Derek; Jada Pinkett · Maureen Evans; Liev Schreiber · Cotton Weary
- Genres
- slasher; comedy; satire; whodunit mystery
- Themes
- meta-commentary on horror tropes; sequel tropes
- Tone and mood
- satirical; tense
- Premise and plot tags
- slasher; mystery; sequel
- Franchise connections
- Scream
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics and was noted for its successful blend of horror and satire.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 83% · scale: percentage · review count: 133; Metacritic · score: 62 · scale: 100 · review count: 22
- Awards and nominations
- Saturn Award · Best Actress · nomination; MTV Movie Award · Best Female Performance · win; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst New Star · 1997 · nomination
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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