Just like the Scream movies, MTV’s new TV show Scream pokes fun at itself, saying, “You can’t do a slasher TV show.” But it seems you can, and it is happening. That beautiful metacommentary about slasher TV shows is delved out on the show by the character Noah — a movie and TV expert who alludes to the original Scream‘s Randy. As an avid fan of the original Scream films, I found this little monologue fitting and perfect if this show is to be a part of the Scream franchise. In fact, it was my favorite part of the pilot.
The show opens on a YouTube video going viral, which starts off a series of murders. Some question if the murders are related to the town’s troubled past, as the town was once plagued by a disfigured serial killer by the name of Brandon James.
The mystery of the town’s past killer and whoever is currently picking off teens is very alluring. Add social media to the mix, and we have a creepy mystery show a lot like the very popular Pretty Little Liars — only with a lot more blood. Give a serial killer social media, and even your locked house becomes a dark alley when you receive a video of the back of your head from ten seconds ago.
The original Scream films centered around Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, as she is taunted over the phone by a serial killer who picks off her friends one by one. The killer dawns a mask known as the Ghostface mask and taunts victims over the phone before gutting them. The killer’s mask and cell phone have both been upgraded on the show, but the killer has the same intimidating intelligence as he now taunts our main character, Emma Duvall, over text.
It will be interesting to see if we get any cameos on the show by previous Scream actors. I would love to see at least a reference to Gale Weathers, played by Courtney Cox — perhaps even a strategically placed book written by Weathers about the Woodsboro Murders on Emma’s book shelf. I will certainly be on the lookout for any references to the originals.
MTV’s Scream isn’t just another slasher teen drama told in a weekly chunk format. The teens are intelligent and likable, and they really have to be for us to care whether they live or die. There is also a strong anti-bullying message woven throughout the show. Brandon James was heavily bullied for his deformities, and the show starts with a viral video that spreads at someone else’s expense, setting the first murders into motion.
This show really has the potential to keep us hooked. Nearly every character is a red herring. We’ll have to see how things play out as the wolf picks people off. The key to solving this mystery will be to pay attention and to keep watching.
Watch it Tuesdays at 10/9c on MTV.