Unmasking the Iconic Ghostface: A Ranking of the Scream Killer's Many Faces
The Iconic Ghostface: A Horror Legend's Evolution
Horror fans have long had their favorite slayers, from the iconic Freddy Krueger to the menacing Jason Voorhees. But in 1996, writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven introduced a new icon that could be anyone: Ghostface. The seventh installment of the Scream franchise, Scream 7, is set to hit theaters later this month, and we're taking a look back at Ghostface's many theatrical iterations. What makes Ghostface so captivating is that he's both a terrifying slasher and a cunning whodunit. The films keep us guessing until the very end, when the truth is finally revealed. Sometimes, it makes sense; other times, it's a bit of a head-scratcher.
6. The Family Revenge in Scream 6
In Scream 6, released just three years ago, Ghostface was played by three actors (Dermot Mulroney, Jack Champion, Liana Liberato) portraying a family seeking revenge on Sam and Tara after the sisters killed their brother, Richie, the killer in the previous film. While the idea of a family of killers is intriguing, the motivation felt weak compared to the franchise's other stories. It took three people to try and fool us, which was unique but ultimately not particularly satisfying.
5. The Super Fan and His Sidekick in Scream 5
Slightly more satisfying was the reveal that Richie (Jack Quaid), the new boyfriend of main character Sam, was Ghostface, along with his accomplice Amber, played by Anora Oscar winner Mikey Madison. The return to a mastermind and his underling, similar to the original, was a welcome twist. Richie's obsession with the Stab movies and his desire to revive them added a layer of genius to the plot. However, this entry falls just short due to its position as the fifth film in the series.
4. The Mother's Revenge in Scream 2
We're torn about this one. On the one hand, Nancy (Laurie Metcalf) wanting to kill Sidney makes almost the most sense of anyone in the franchise. As Billy's mom, she's furious about his death. However, the fact that she recruited a crazy film student, Mickey (Timothy Olyphant), who fit the franchise's framework too closely, was almost too convenient. He was essentially just Billy 2. Despite loving the reveal of her as the puppet master, this is our least favorite pairing of the original four.
3. The Clever Duo in Scream 4
Call me crazy, but I'm a sucker for this duo (https://gizmodo.com/ive-been-wrong-about-scream-4-for-10-years-1846635465). Charlie and Jill, each working from their own motivations, seem to believe they're smarter than the other. Eventually, Jill (Emma Roberts) proves she's actually the more cunning one by killing and framing Charlie (Rory Culkin). They're a clever, unexpected duo, but Jill's plan to be the killer as well as the sole survivor is one of the franchise's best reveals ever. It's devilish and fortuitous.
2. The Perfect Pair in Scream
It's hard to top the originals, but we think this duo eventually got outdone. Billy (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu (Matthew Lillard) were a perfect pair. Complimentary, brutal, and completely insane. Their motivations—getting back at Sidney for her mother's wrongdoings and just being psycho—were simple and clean. They also came up with the idea of the Ghostface mask, the voice changer, and the obsession with movies. They're great killers, but we think just slightly below the crown.
1. The Originator in Scream 3
This might be controversial, but I believe the argument is strong. Roman Bridger, played by Scott Foley, is the reason all this happened in the first place. First, we learn it was he who nudged Billy Loomis to try to kill Sidney in the first movie, revealing to him everything Maureen Prescott had done. A great tie-back. Second, the fact that his mere existence is a slap in the face gives him arguably the best motivation out of everyone: jealousy. Sidney had the family he never could have. And, most importantly, he did all the Ghostface stuff by himself while also directing a movie about himself. Talk about a multitasker. Scream 3 isn't the best of the Scream movies, but, in terms of a Ghostface, it's hard to top.
