‘Scream 2’ (1997) Review: A Smart and Suspenseful Horror Sequel
Scream 2 (1997)
Following a genre-defining original is no easy task, and Scream 2 knows it. Rather than trying to outdo Scream through sheer shock value alone, the sequel leans fully into its own premise: a slasher movie about sequels. The result is a film that’s messier, louder, and more indulgent—but still smart, entertaining, and frequently effective.
Set against the backdrop of a college campus, Scream 2 expands the scope of the original while keeping its meta sensibility intact. Kevin Williamson’s script (reworked and reshaped amid leaks and production chaos) openly interrogates sequel rules: higher body counts, bigger set pieces, and the pressure to “top” what came before. Characters debate horror sequels with the same self-awareness that defined the first film, and while the commentary isn’t always as sharp, it’s still clever enough to keep the franchise’s identity intact. One of my favorite self aware moments is when fan favorite, Randy, is sitting in film class during the sequel debate and the class begins discussing a possible sequel to the Scream World films, STAB, that is based on the events of the first movie. “Stab 2? Who would want that? Sequels suck!” Randy blurts out. It’s double funny on the commentary considering he himself is in a Scream sequel.
Where Scream 2 excels is in its ambition. The opening sequence alone, set inside a packed movie theater, transforms communal viewing into chaos, cleverly weaponizing audience participation and expectations. It’s a bold idea, and one that immediately signals the film’s interest in scale and spectacle and definite increase in budget. Throughout, the kills are more elaborate, the violence more graphic, and Ghostface more aggressive, even if some moments feel designed to impress rather than unsettle.
Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott continues to anchor the series with emotional credibility. Now a college student grappling with trauma and unwanted notoriety, Sidney feels more closed off and guarded, an evolution that adds real depth to her character, even when the plot around her becomes crowded. Courteney Cox and David Arquette provide continuity and charm, while newcomers like Jada Pinkett Smith and Timothy Olyphant inject fresh energy into the ensemble. Honestly, all of the new characters bring something valuable to the table.
What really shines this time around is the constant feeling that no one can be trusted. The film smartly places the audience in the same emotional space as Sidney. After being so thoroughly misdirected in the first film, you go into this sequel expecting anything and Scream 2 fully leans into that paranoia. It genuinely feels like it could be anyone.
The finale plays out beautifully with that uncertainty. The film convinces Sidney and even us that her new boyfriend Derek could be involved alongside Mickey. The tension builds around that suspicion, only for it to be revealed that Derek is innocent and Mickey has simply been manipulating Sidney’s fears. It’s a cruel but effective twist, reinforcing the film’s ongoing theme of psychological torment. Soon after, the true second killer is revealed: Mrs. Loomis, Billy’s mother, seeking revenge for her son’s death. Her motivation is simple yet emotionally charged, she blames Sidney for killing Billy, conveniently ignoring that Billy was trying to murder her first. It’s a sharp, ironic layer to the reveal and a smart way to tie the sequel directly back to the original. The double reveal doesn’t just shock, it plays with audience expectation, weaponizes grief, and reinforces the idea that in this franchise, trust is always a liability.
That said, Scream 2 occasionally buckles under its own weight. With multiple subplots, red herrings, and tonal shifts, the film sometimes sacrifices tension for excess. Not every joke lands, and not every twist feels fully earned. Yet even at its weakest, the film remains confident in what it is: a sequel aware of its flaws and willing to confront them head-on. It’s still a great time all around.
For this sequel, four stars feels right. Scream 2 may not have the razor-sharp precision of its predecessor, but its ambition, humor, and self-awareness make it one of the strongest horror sequels of its era and proof that this franchise understood the rules well enough to keep breaking them.
RATING:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
