History YMMV / Scream

** The death of [[spoiler:Randy]] in ''Scream 2''. Some view it as a bold move, showing that AnyoneCanDie and thus adding tension, while others wish they kept the character alive.

* CommonKnowledge: How Maureen Prescott died. Websites and wikis, such as the ''Scream'' one, state that she was stabbed in the groin, twice in the chest, and once in the head, which is accepted by the majority as fact, even though that's just a {{Fanon}} theory that originates from the condition of Maureen's body bag (which itself was just a prop for a FilmWithinAFilm titled ''Stab 3'') in ''Scream 3.'' In reality, the exact circumstances of her death have never been revealed. She is said to have been tortured, but this is only ever brought up once, in a newscast by self-admitted sensationalist Gale Weathers. She's also said to have been raped, but this is just a misconception that stems from her having been killed immediately after having sex with Cotton, as well as Sidney (who misidentified the real killer--who personally never even hints at having sexually assaulted Maureen--as Cotton) insisting to everyone that there was nothing consensual going on between Cotton and Maureen because "she wouldn't have touched him."

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Derek's singing scene in ''Scream 2'', though it's got nothing on the out-of-nowhere cameo by [[Film/TheViewAskewniverse Jay and Silent Bob]] in ''Scream 3''.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: ''Red Right Hand'' by Music/NickCaveAndTheBadSeeds appears in the first three films, to memorable effect. Nick Cave even recorded a new version of the song specifically for the ''Scream 3'' soundtrack and later returns for the fifth film (albeit briefly).

* FirstInstallmentWins: The first movie is still the best regarded by both fans and critics, for its brilliant {{Deconstruction}} and {{Reconstruction}} of the slasher genre and renewing the genre as a whole. While ''Scream'' have a better record than most slasher movie franchises in term of sequels, as every installment has its fans (with a possible exception of ''Scream 3''), they never reached the height of the reputation that the first one got.

* FirstInstallmentWins: While the second one has a very good reputation, the first is still the best regarded, specially for renewing the slasher genre.

** The death of [[spoiler:Dewey]] in ''Scream (2022)''. [[spoiler:Half the base sees it as a good tension builder and a worthy send-off to a beloved character. The other half, however, sees it as a JumpingTheShark moment. Still, others were glad to see him finally lose his PlotArmor.]]
** The Who-killed-who debate can get pretty heated particularly with Film/Scream4 and Film/Scream2022.q

* FranchiseOriginalSin: In addition to its [[PostModernism post-modern parody]] of {{slasher movie}}s, the ''Film/{{Scream}}'' series is also known for having [[{{Soaperizing}} a surprisingly strong focus on characterization]] for its genre. Everybody has their own backstories and motivations, all the better to create {{red herring}}s and make viewers question who the killer is. In [[Film/{{Scream 3}} the third film]], however, this backfired on the series in three important ways.
** The first problem lies in how it ties everything back to [[FinalGirl the series' heroine Sidney]]. In the [[Film/{{Scream 1996}} first two]] [[Film/{{Scream 2}} films]], the lead killer out of the BigBadDuumvirate has some personal connection to Sidney, but writer Kevin Williamson made sure to tie it to information that had already been revealed or otherwise implied in the story. Furthermore, the backstory is secondary to the whodunit mystery at the center of the film; the most important question in both films always concerns Ghostface's identity. The third film's plot, on the other hand, revolves entirely around Sidney's family backstory, and the killer's motivation hinges on familial relations that aren't even hinted at for that character before TheReveal. Many fans blame new writer Ehren Kruger, who had a very different understanding of the characters, for the third film's {{sequelitis}}, as well as a TroubledProduction that saw substantial rewrites, including a different killer than originally planned.
** Next, Ghostface's identity was often played as a PlotTwist, especially when concerning the lead killer. In the first film, it is so heavily hinted that [[spoiler:Billy]] was the killer that the fact that he ''isn't'' a RedHerring was [[TheUntwist a twist in its own right]]. In the second film, the lead killer is a [[TheDogWasTheMastermind background character with a secret agenda]]. The third film uses similar tricks to better disguise the killer's identity and to better shock the audience, but it was widely criticized for using an AssPull for TheReveal.
*** A criticism of the third film's lead killer is how [[spoiler:he fakes his own death]] to [[SuspectExistenceFailure avoid suspicion]] from the protagonists and the audience. However, this criticism applies to the first film as well; in fact, the first film was praised for using this twist. The difference is that the first film has the subsequent revelation of [[spoiler:two killers]], which answers the question of how [[spoiler:Billy managed to convincingly fake his own death]]. In addition, none of the protagonists ever check [[spoiler:Billy's "dead" body]] in the first film, unlike the third film, in which Gale checks [[spoiler:the "corpse" of Roman, and confirms that the body was in fact dead]].[[note]]WordOfGod is that Roman used a special technique to stop his pulse, but this is never foreshadowed or outright stated in the film.[[/note]] Thus, when the third film revealed that [[spoiler:Roman wasn't actually dead and was the sole Ghostface]], the viewers felt cheated.
*** As mentioned before, most viewers criticized [[spoiler:Roman's]] secret familial connection to Sidney, a criticism that also applies to ''Scream 2'', since [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] has a secret familial connection to [[spoiler:Billy Loomis]], and like [[spoiler:Roman]], is in disguise. Nevertheless, [[spoiler:Debbie's]] reveal was more acceptable for several reasons. For one, [[spoiler: Debbie]] is a [[TheGhost mentioned, albeit unseen, character]] in the first film, whereas [[spoiler:Roman's existence is more of a {{Retcon}}]]. Furthermore, the second film hints multiple times that [[spoiler:Billy's mother]] is one of the killers, meaning that savvy viewers would be on the lookout for a [[spoiler:middle-aged woman, a description under which Debbie Salt falls]], not to mention that Gale does recognize [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] as a familiar face upon first glance. While the third film hints similarly that [[spoiler:Sidney's half-sibling]] is the killer, said description is unhelpful in identifying the killer, since it's so broad, and the film never gives any clues that [[spoiler:Roman]] is the [[spoiler:half-sibling in question]], which then led to AssPull accusations upon the unmasking.
** Lastly, there is the specific plot element of the murder of Maureen Prescott, Sidney's mother who had been killed a year prior to the events of the original film over her [[ReallyGetsAround promiscuous]] and adulterous ways. Even many fans regard this aspect of the backstory as carrying a strong tinge of SlutShaming, though it's generally agreed that the quality of TheReveal helps temper the UnfortunateImplications, particularly with how the lead killer is portrayed as a complete and utter psychopath who's just using Maureen as an excuse to kill people. The third film makes Maureen the focus of most of the plot, and with that film's drop in quality, her backstory is a lot harder to ignore, even with Sidney's immensely gratifying ShutUpHannibal moment during TheReveal.
** As for [[Series/ScreamTVSeries the TV adaptation]], that show returning to the well of relying on the FinalGirl's family backstory likewise became one of its most highly criticized aspects. While the Brandon James storyline in season 1 lacks the UnfortunateImplications of the Maureen Prescott storyline from the films, it was still seen as a retread of many of the most unpopular plot elements of ''Scream 3'', this time without even a decent performance from the actor playing the killer. This may be why, despite season 2 [[CutShort ending on a cliffhanger]], season 3, titled ''Series/ScreamResurrection'', was a full ContinuityReboot with a new cast and showrunners.

** And we have [[spoiler:Creator/EmmaRoberts as Jill Roberts in the fourth and Creator/MikeyMadison as Amber Freeman in the fifth]].

** Next, Ghostface's identity was often played as a PlotTwist, especially when concerning the lead killer. In the first film, it is so heavily hinted that [[spoiler:Billy]] was the killer that the fact that he ''isn't'' a RedHerring was [[TheUntwist a twist in its own right]]. In the second film, the lead killer is a [[TheDogWasTheMastermind background character with a secret agenda]]. The third film uses similar tricks to better disguise the killer's identity and to better shock the audience, but it was widely criticized for using a ShockingSwerve for TheReveal.

*** As mentioned before, most viewers criticized [[spoiler:Roman's]] secret familial connection to Sidney, a criticism that also applies to ''Scream 2'', since [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] has a secret familial connection to [[spoiler:Billy Loomis]], and like [[spoiler:Roman]], is in disguise. Nevertheless, [[spoiler:Debbie's]] reveal was more acceptable for several reasons. For one, [[spoiler: Debbie]] is a [[TheGhost mentioned, albeit unseen, character]] in the first film, whereas [[spoiler:Roman's existence is more of a {{Retcon}}]]. Furthermore, the second film hints multiple times that [[spoiler:Billy's mother]] is one of the killers, meaning that savvy viewers would be on the lookout for a [[spoiler:middle-aged woman, a description under which Debbie Salt falls]], not to mention that Gale does recognize [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] as a familiar face upon first glance. While the third film hints similarly that [[spoiler:Sidney's half-sibling]] is the killer, said description is unhelpful in identifying the killer, since it's so broad, and the film never gives any clues that [[spoiler:Roman]] is the [[spoiler:half-sibling in question]], which then led to accusations of ShockingSwerve upon the unmasking.

* NarmCharm: Of course Scream has this in spades. It comes with the territory of being a franchise of slasher media.
* OnlyTheCreatorDoesItRight: Many fans blame the problems with ''Scream 3'' on the absence of Kevin Williamson.

*** A psychotic person whose loves movies to the point where he kills people, occasionally spouting out film trivia and film quotes? There was on example of that prior to ''Scream'', and that is the 1980 psychological horror comedy ''Fade to Black''. The only difference is that in ''Fade to Black'', the killer also dressed up as characters from classic films (not just horror, but as Hopalong Cassidy and a film noir gangster for three of his kills, while dressing as Dracula and the Mummy for two other kills).

** And we have [[spoiler:Creator/EmmaRoberts as Jill Roberts in the fourth]].

** And Randy's {{expy}} Robbie in ''Scream 4'' became one of the most popular characters of the fourth film. [[spoiler:Too bad he was killed off too.]]

** Cici Cooper, the character played by Creator/SarahMichelleGellar in Scream 2.
** Sarah Darling, a minor Scream 3 character and not too developed, but who has her fans for being a decently comedic MsFanservice with an okay fight scene.

** Ditto for Kirby in ''Scream 4'', [[spoiler:to the point that a ''massive'' chunk of the fanbase believes that she's NotQuiteDead (which was confirmed in the following film via FreezeFrameBonus)]].

* BrokenBase: The death of [[spoiler:Randy]] in ''Scream 2''. Some view it as a bold move, showing that AnyoneCanDie and thus adding tension, while others wish they kept the character alive.
** The death of [[spoiler:Dewey in Scream (2022). Half the base sees it as a good tension builder, and the other half sees it as a JumpingTheShark moment. Still others were glad to see him finally lose his plot armor.]]

** Basically in all the films especially after TheReveal, they're deep down or eventually become fables about facing down and standing up to bullies, whom the Ghostfaces bare the most traits of.
** Alternatively, life is not your movie and the people around you are not characters that you can decide roles for. Thinking such leads nowhere good.
* AngstWhatAngst: Not once in the franchise does Dewey show any sadness about [[spoiler: his own sister being brutally murdered]]. It gets a brief mention in the second one, and Stone makes a quip about it in the third - but it's rather shocking. However, in the fifth, it is revealed that [[spoiler:Dewey has Tatum’s ashes on his mantle]].
* AuthorsSavingThrow: Many times, the sequels attempted to fix criticized elements of previous entries:
** The death of [[spoiler:Randy]] in the second film is easily one of the biggest regret of the writers. They even considered bringing him back, but eventually settled with giving him a [[VideoWill posthumous role via a video tape]]. He is also mentionned in the fifth film.
** [[spoiler:Tatum]] being forgotten after her death, even by her protective older brother was seen as quite jarring. The fifth film shows that Dewey keeps her ashes at his house, along with a picture of her.

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Derek's singing scene in ''Scream 2'', though it had nothing compared to the out of nowhere cameo by [[Film/TheViewAskewniverse Jay and Silent Bob]] in ''Scream 3''.
* BrokenBase: The death of [[spoiler:Randy]] in ''Scream 2''. Some view it as a bold move, showing that AnyoneCanDie thus adding tension, while others wish they kept the character alive.
** The death of [[spoiler:Dewey in Scream (2022). Half the base sees it as a good tension builder, or a jump the shark moment. Some were glad to see him finally lose his plot armor.]]

* CommonKnowledge: How Maureen Prescott died. Websites and wikis, such as the ''Scream'' one, state that she was stabbed in the groin, twice in the chest, and once in the head, which is accepted by the majority as fact, even though it is just a {{Fanon}} theory that originates from the condition of Maureen's body bag (which was just a prop for a FilmWithinAFilm titled ''Stab 3'') in ''Scream 3.'' In reality, the exact circumstances of her death have never been revealed. She is said to have been tortured, but this is only ever brought up once, in a newscast by self-admitted sensationalist Gale Weathers, and is also said to have been raped, but this is just a misconception that stems from her having been killed immediately after having sex with Cotton, and Sidney (who misidentified the real killer--who personally never even hints at having sexually assaulted Maureen--as Cotton) insisting to everyone that there was nothing consensual going on between Cotton and Maureen because "she wouldn't have touched him."

* ContestedSequel: Many fans rank the first film as a classic, the second film as a worthy sequel, and the third film as a mediocre cash-in. However, there are quite a few who feel that the third film is better than the second, and there's even a small camp (which includes, among others, Richard Roeper and WebVideo/{{Welshy}}) who feel that the second film is the best in the whole series. The fourth film, meanwhile, likewise holds a "middle" position according to fans -- not as good as the first, but stronger than the second/third (whichever one the fan in question thinks is the weaker entry of the two). Finally, you will find very few fans of the movies who will defend the TV series as anything more than SoOkayItsAverage.

** Randy gained such a following that [[spoiler: a sizable portion of the fanbase was ''furious'' when he was killed off in ''Scream 2'', so much that ''Scream 3'' explicitly lampshaded it.]]

** Jennifer Jolie from the third movie tends to rank pretty high on lists ranking the characters from across the series, being one of the highest-rated characters to only be in a single film (which she is sometimes considered to have been more entertaining in than any of the returning leads). Fans appreciate her humorous characterization, chemistry with Gale and Dewey and ([[CowardlyLion eventual]]) competence. [[spoiler:Like Kirby (until the fifth movie, see above), she has fans who think she's NotQuiteDead.]]
** Tatum Riley from ''Scream'' is often ranked as one of the franchises top characters, and one of the greatest best friend characters in a horror movie for her sense of style, attractiveness, her actress, loyalty to Sidney and the fight she puts up.
** Cici Cooper, the character played by Creator/SarahMichelleGellar from Scream 2.

* EvilIsCool: Ghostface, for his tactics to get his prey and unique plans to pull off his [[spoiler:or her]] schemes behind the killings. Subverted in TheReveal of each installment when the unmasked killers show off their despicable natures and end up as {{Hate Sink}}s.

** We have [[spoiler:Creator/SkeetUlrich as [[BeautyIsBad Billy Loomis]] in the first movie, Creator/TimothyOlyphant as Mickey Altieri in the second and Scott Foley as [[TallDarkAndHandsome Roman Bridger]] in the third]].

* FranchiseOriginalSin: In addition to its [[PostModernism post-modern parody]] of {{slasher movie}}s, the ''Film/{{Scream}}'' series was also known for having [[{{Soaperizing}} a surprisingly strong focus on characterization]] for the genre it was in. Everybody had their own backstories and motivations, all the better to create {{red herring}}s and make viewers question who the killer was. In [[Film/{{Scream 3}} the third film]], however, this turned against the series in three important ways.
** The first problem was in how it tied everything back to [[FinalGirl the series' heroine Sidney]]. In the [[Film/{{Scream 1996}} first two]] [[Film/{{Scream 2}} films]], the lead killer out of the BigBadDuumvirate had some personal connection to Sidney, but writer Kevin Williamson made sure to tie it to information that had already been revealed or otherwise implied in the story. Furthermore, the backstory was secondary to the whodunit mystery at the center of the film; the most important question in both films always concerned Ghostface's identity. The third film's plot, on the other hand, revolved entirely around Sidney's family backstory, and the killer's motivation hinged on familial relations that weren't even hinted at for that character before TheReveal. Many fans blame new writer Ehren Kruger, who had a very different understanding of the characters, for the third film's {{sequelitis}}, as well as a TroubledProduction that saw substantial rewrites, including a different killer.
** Next, Ghostface's identity was often played as a PlotTwist, especially when concerning the lead killer. In the first film, it was so heavily hinted that [[spoiler:Billy]] was the killer that the fact that he ''wasn't'' a RedHerring was [[TheUntwist a twist in its own right]]. In the second film, the lead killer was a [[TheDogWasTheMastermind background character with a secret agenda]]. The third film used similar tricks to better disguise the killer's identity and to better shock the audience, but it was widely criticized for using a ShockingSwerve for TheReveal.
*** A criticism of the third film's lead killer was how [[spoiler:he faked his own death]] to [[SuspectExistenceFailure avoid suspicion]] by the protagonists and the audience. However, this criticism applied to the first film as well; in fact, the first film was praised for using this twist. The difference was that the first film had the subsequent revelation of [[spoiler:two killers]], which answered the question of how [[spoiler:Billy managed to convincingly fake his own death]]. In addition, none of the protagonists ever checked [[spoiler:Billy's "dead" body]] in the first film unlike the third film in which Gale checked [[spoiler:the "corpse" of Roman and confirmed that the body was in fact dead]].[[note]]WordOfGod is that Roman used a special technique to stop his pulse, but this was never foreshadowed or stated in the third film.[[/note]] Thus, when the third film revealed that [[spoiler:Roman wasn't actually dead and was the sole Ghostface]], the viewers felt cheated.
*** As mentioned before, most viewers criticized [[spoiler:Roman's]] secret familial connection to Sidney, a criticism that also applied to ''Scream 2'' since [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] had a secret familial connection to [[spoiler:Billy Loomis]] and like [[spoiler:Roman]], was under a disguise. Nevertheless, [[spoiler:Debbie's]] reveal was more acceptable for several reasons. For one, [[spoiler: Debbie]] was a [[TheGhost mentioned albeit unseen character]] in the first film whereas [[spoiler:Roman's existence was more of a {{Retcon}}]]. Furthermore, the second film hinted multiple times that [[spoiler:Billy's mother]] was one of the killers, meaning that savvy viewers would be on the lookout for a [[spoiler:middle-aged woman, a description under which Debbie Salt fell]], not to mention that Gale did recognize [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] as a familiar face upon first glance. While the third film hinted similarly that [[spoiler:Sidney's half-sibling]] was the killer, said description was unhelpful in identifying the killer, and the film never gave clues that [[spoiler:Roman]] was the [[spoiler:half-sibling in question]], which then led to accusations of ShockingSwerve upon the unmasking.
** Lastly, there was the specific plot element of the murder of Maureen Prescott, Sidney's mother who had been killed a year prior to the events of the original film over her [[ReallyGetsAround promiscuous]] and adulterous ways. Even many fans regard this aspect of the backstory as carrying a strong tinge of SlutShaming, though it's generally agreed that the quality of TheReveal helped temper the UnfortunateImplications, particularly with how the lead killer was portrayed as a complete and utter psychopath who was just using Maureen as an excuse to kill people. The third film made Maureen the focus of most of the plot, and with that film's drop in quality, it was a lot harder to ignore, even with Sidney's immensely gratifying ShutUpHannibal moment during TheReveal.
** As for [[Series/ScreamTVSeries the TV adaptation]], that show returning to the well of relying on the FinalGirl's family backstory likewise became one of its most highly criticized aspects. While the Brandon James storyline in season 1 lacked the UnfortunateImplications of the Maureen Prescott storyline from the films, it was still seen as a retread of many of the most unpopular plot elements of ''Scream 3'', this time without even a decent performance from the actor playing the killer. This may be why, despite season 2 [[CutShort ending on a cliffhanger]], season 3, titled ''Series/ScreamResurrection'', was a full ContinuityReboot with a new cast and show runners.

** ''Series/SantaClaritaDiet'' is especially hilarious for fans of this series, with Drew Barrymore, the first film's [[DeadStarWalking opening victim]], as a murderous monster and Timothy Olyphant, [[spoiler:one of the second film's killers,]] as a regular guy dragged into her mess.
** Two separate Ghostface killers have mocked the idea that [[MurderSimulators violent horror movies drove them to kill]]. [[spoiler:Billy in the first film had the famous line that "movies don't create psychos, they make psychos more creative", while in the second, Mickey planned to exploit the public's disdain for horror movies by cynically using them as an excuse for his actions, guaranteeing himself a [[AttentionWhore sensational]] [[IfItBleedsItLeads trial]].]] In ''Series/ScreamResurrection'', on the other hand, [[spoiler:Beth claims that she became a [[TheSociopath sociopath]] because she watched too many horror movies]].

%%* NarmCharm: Of course.

* PoorMansSubstitute: At the time of the first film to beyond, the films' composer Marco Beltrami can be considered the franchise's [[Franchise/{{Hellraiser}} Christopher]] [[Film/{{Copycat}} Young]] (further helped that Beltrami was part of Young's music scoring team and even orchestrated his score for ''Film/{{Virtuosity}}'' a year before the first film in the franchise and how some of Young's score to ''Film/{{Copycat}}'' that was also released a year before the original film was featured in its theatrical trailer).

* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: Despite drawing parallel sensibilities with fellow horror genre composer Christopher Young as noted above, Marco Beltrami's scores for the film series can also bring in mind Music/GraemeRevell's score to ''Film/ChildsPlay2''. Beltrami's work on this SlasherMovie franchise along side other horror movie scores he was doing at the time can also be viewed as a new age SpiritualSuccessor to the underrated orchestral 80s SlasherMovie scores of fellow film composer Richard Einhorn for such works as ''Film/EyesOfAStranger'' and ''Film/TheProwler''.

*** Relatedly, the killers' MO is dependent on people being more likely to use landlines than cell phones, meaning if you answer your phone, the caller knows where you are.

** The image of horror films that the ''Scream'' series runs on is the slashers of TheEighties. While these movies were seen as dated and trite even in 1996 (the whole reason ''Scream'' was making fun of them), they were still reasonably modern at the time, the sort of films that teenagers watched at parties. With the rise of TorturePorn, FoundFootageFilms, and supernatural horror in the '00s and '10s, slashers are nowadays seen as retro, which ''Scream 4'' had to address when it came out in 2011.

** Gale Weathers may have been an old-media tabloid journalist, but the arc of her career in the first two films, in particular her IfItBleedsItLeads nature, is arguably more relevant than ever in a time when the TrueCrime genre has seen a resurgence of popularity in the form of podcasts and documentaries, especially with the films' exploration of how Sidney was affected by the media circus that Gale's books generated, and with how [[spoiler:Mickey's motive in the second film, and Jill's in the fourth, is to [[AttentionWhore chase the media attention]] that comes with such]].
** The third film got a ''major'' second look in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the [=#MeToo=] movement revealing the extent of sexual harassment and assault throughout Hollywood and many professional industries more broadly. Here, it's revealed that Maureen Prescott was an aspiring actress in TheSeventies, only to quit the industry in disgust after getting raped at a Hollywood party by a high-powered producer.
** The movies often go in-depth about how misguided it is to believe that movies cause people to become murderers and that people who are inspired by movies already wanted to commit murders to begin with or just want to find an excuse to look like the victim. Said message is still relevant 20 years later after the hysteria caused by the mainstream media believing ''Film/Joker2019'' was going to cause a mass shooting to the point they gave an inordinate amount of coverage to two guys being arrested for smoking in the theater that was showing that movie.
* TheWoobie: Just about everyone aside from the killers and a select few for obvious reasons [[Woobie/{{Scream}} check it out.]]

* AngstWhatAngst: Not once in the franchise does Dewey show any sadness about [[spoiler: his own sister being brutally murdered]]. It gets a brief mention in the second one, and Stone makes a quip about it in the third - but it's rather shocking. However, in the fifth, it is revealed that Dewey has Tatum’s ashes on his mantle.

* CatharsisFactor: Especially after the TheReveal, when the killers are not only AxCrazy, but also obnoxious {{Jerkass}} {{Hate Sink}}s, it is very satisfying to see them get theirs at the climix.

** Sarah Darling, a minor Scream 3 character and not too developed, but who has her fans for being a decently comedic MsFanservice with an ok fight scene.
* EvilIsCool: Ghostface, for his tactics to to get his prey and unique plans to pull off his [[spoiler:or her]] schemes behind the killings. Subverted in TheReveal of each installment when the unmasked killers show off their despicable natures and end up as {{Hate Sink}}s.

* FanonDiscontinuity:
** Some fans prefer to see the original movie as a standalone story and ignore the killing sprees from the sequels.

* ParanoiaFuel: ''Nowhere'' is safe enough. The killers manage to butcher people in a crowded movie theater, in a crowded campus in broad daylight (getting their merry way out before anyone notices, in both cases), get past policemen watching the victim's house, or viciously attack them in a hospital.

** The movies often go in-depth about how misguided it is to believe that movies cause people to become murderers and that people who are inspired by movies already wanted to commit murders to begin with or just want to find an excuse to look like the victim. Said message is still relevant 20 years later after the hysteria caused by the mainstream media believing {{Film/Joker2019}} was going to cause a mass shooting to the point they gave an inordinate amount of coverage to two guys being arrested for smoking in the theater that was showing that movie.

* BrokenBase: The death of [[spoiler:Randy]] in ''Scream 2''. Some views it as a bold move, showing that AnyoneCanDie thus adding tension, while other wish the kept the character alive.

** Jennifer Jolie from the third movie tends to rank pretty high on lists ranking the characters from across the series, being one of the highest-rated characters to only be in a single film (which she is sometimes considered to have been more entertaining in than any of the returning leads). Fans appreciate her humorous characterization, chemistry with Gale and Dewey and ([[CowardlyLion eventual]]) competence. [[spoiler:Like Kirby, she has fans who think she's NotQuiteDead.]]

* LoveToHate: [[spoiler:Billy Loomis, his mother, Roman Bridger and Jill Roberts are all definitely intended to be {{Hate Sink}}s, but Stu, Mickey and Charlie all fall into this due to their LaughablyEvil and quirky portrayals by their actors.]]

* TheWoobie:
** Sidney. The girl's mother was murdered, and virtually everyone she knows either dies or turns out to be a full-fledged psychopath wanting to kill her for selfish reasons including [[spoiler:her boyfriend]], [[spoiler:her half-brother]] and [[spoiler:her cousin]]. She's the ButtMonkey of the ''Scream'' Verse, and it's surprising she herself hasn't gone completely insane and/or gone on a murderous rampage. Also veers into IronWoobie considering she's able to stand her ground throughout the films, especially when the third one kicks in.
** With little exception, most victims of Ghostface fall under this category.

** With little exception any victim of Ghostface falls under this category.