The Scream series is known for combining humor with slasher film tropes well. It isn’t a laugh-out-loud comedy fest from start to finish. The jokes in these movies are smarter. They are meta, breaking the fourth wall and analyzing the deeper meanings behind these clichés.
The same is true for the new film, Scream 5. It might have some of the funniest setups in the series which is saying a lot. However, it does have two decades' worth of material to reference, so maybe it isn’t that odd to say. These are just ten of the best in Scream 5 and there are spoilers within for the whole series.
10 “It Sounds A Lot Like Halloween”
This quote is said by Richie to Sam while they are driving to Woodsboro. She is trying to explain to him the various Ghostface killings of the past. The way she words it does make it sound like the movies in the Halloween franchise.
Those films feature a man in a white mask, Michael Myers killing people. It’s easy to see why Richie would joke about the setup to Woodsboro then. The Scream series is a bit more sophisticated though.
9 “That’s A Terrible Reason For Me To Talk To You”
Sam and Richie are looking for help to figure out how to stop the Ghostface killer/killers that are after Sam’s sister, Tara. They go to Dewey who at this point has retired from the police. He seemingly doesn’t get a lot of company nor does he want it.
He’s hesitant to let Sam and Richie inside at first until Sam tells Dewey she is the daughter of Billy. That’s when Dewey says this line but opens the door anyway. He certainly has a past with Billy from the firstScream.
8 “I’m Sidney F***ing Prescott, Of Course I Have A Gun”
After Sam and Richie leave, Dewey calls Sidney to make sure she is okay. She’s far away from Woodsboro now. She even has kids and is married. The children and husband are never shown face to face though.
On this call, Dewey asks if she has a gun which she replies thusly. It’s a funny line, but it’s not a given. In the following three films after the original, Sidney doesn’t have a gun of her own at all times. This line may be cheeky in referencing the fact that she should have had a gun after the first attacks.
7 “Maybe You’re The Killer Because That Cut Deep”
Eventually, Dewey comes out of his hole, or trailer in this case. He follows Sam and Richie to Sam’s friend’s house. This happens to belong to Chad and Mindy who are the nephew and niece of Randy from the first two films. In this sit-down, Dewey goes over the facts about the past attacks.
He goes over the rules as well. This prompts the others to put in their two cents about the meta language of this horror franchise. The biggest rule, that has persisted since the first Scream, is that anyone can be a killer. Wes accuses Dewey which prompts him to reply as if Wes’ words were a knife. Poor Dewey.
6 “Watch Your Tone New Girl”
Why don’t you just leave? That is seemingly the thought going through the minds of any horror fan whenever they watch films like this. The easiest way to escape a killer is to drive away from the town. It can be that simple.
That is what Sam wants to do, but Sidney doesn’t think it will work. Sam tells Sidney and Gale to blow off which causes Gale to put Sam in her place. Don’t mess with the original, or in this case, the originals.
5 “That Was A Test And You Failed”
Another fun rule that was established in the original Scream is to never go off alone. Specifically, no one should ever say, “I’ll be right back.” That’s essentially what Amber says when she decides to go into the basement for more beer for Mindy.
That’s why Mindy follows her to scold Amber for listening. Mindy was testing her on the horror rules, and she failed. This causes them to have a fun exchange on who could be the killer.
4 “How Can Fandom Be Toxic?”
This might be the funniest line in the film because it is so poignant today. This was said by Richie after he reveals that he, along with Amber, are the killers. Their goal was to write a better Stab sequel. It is essentially fan fiction.
They think this franchise belongs to the fans, so that’s why it is up to the fans to fix it. This can be applied to fans of anime, games, comics, and so many other sects of fandom besides movies. Not all fans are radicalized like Richie and Amber. However, there are enough bad eggs to spoil the whole fun for everyone which is exactly what this line is sarcastically pointing at.
3 “Enjoy That Torch”
While Sam is dealing with Richie, Sidney and Gale are trying to keep Amber at bay. Amber seems like she has the upper hand. She reveals that she wants the torch as the lead seemingly passed to her from Sidney.
This sets up a final blow delivered by Gale after she and Sidney light Amber on fire. It’s about as cheesy as a one-liner can get. It sounds like it came from an 80s film, horror or otherwise, but it is funny regardless of that fact. The Scream series is full of cheesy material.
2 “Never F*** With The Daughter Of A Serial Killer”
This great line is delivered by Sam right before she finishes Richie off. Richie knew she was the daughter of Billy, so he should have seen this coming. Even though she isn’t a weirdo like her father, Richie should know the potential was there.
He knows Sam sees Billy already and is taking medication for her visions. Setting up this elaborate fan plot in Woodsboro was like poking a bear with salmon and honey. Of course, the bear, being Sam, was going to destroy Richie after the fact. It is the basics of horror films.
1 “I Still Prefer The Babadook”
Tara stopping anyone after her injuries, in the end, is one of the biggest holes in the movie. She was stabbed seemingly beyond repair but somehow survived. Then she gets attacked in the hospital and opens up old wounds again.
There is no way she could take down Amber or Richie in her condition in the house. However, this could be thanked the adrenaline in her body. Whatever the case may be, Tara has enough power to take a final potshot. She does this while referencing her earlier line in the film about The Babadook. It’s a good way to close out Scream 5.
