Do we need to watch the first five movies to understand this one?

Ideally, yes. At the very least, you need to watch Scream (2022), as the main characters and their trauma carry directly over. Without that context, the emotional beats between the sisters won't land nearly as well.

How much gore are we talking about exactly?

It’s significantly bloodier than the original trilogy. Think multiple stabbings per kill, visible entrails in one scene, and a lot of 'finishing moves.' It's visceral, not cartoonish.

Is Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) in this one?

No. Due to a real-life salary dispute, the franchise's original 'Final Girl' is absent. The movie explains her absence by saying she's gone into hiding to keep her family safe, which actually allows the new cast more room to grow.

Are there any jump scares?

Tons. The movie uses the NYC setting to hide Ghostface in plain sight, leading to some very effective and loud jump scares in crowded places like the subway.

Scream VI – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Scream VI

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

55%

WISE Score

Ghostface takes Manhattan in a brutal, high-energy sequel that proves this franchise still has some sharp tricks up its sleeve.

7.0

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Scream VI

movie

2023

55%

WISE Score

Ghostface takes Manhattan in a brutal, high-energy sequel that proves this franchise still has some sharp tricks up its sleeve.

7.0

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7.0

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Screenwise Verdict

Scream VI is a rare sixth entry that doesn't feel like a cash grab. It moves the action to New York City, and while the 'meta' commentary is reaching its limit, the tension is real and the kills are inventive. It’s the goriest Scream yet, trading the campy vibes of the middle sequels for a grittier, more intense tone.

If your kid is into horror, this is a top-tier modern slasher. It treats its survivors with more respect than most horror movies do, focusing on their trauma and bond rather than just treating them like cannon fodder. Just be ready for a high level of stabbings—Ghostface is particularly mean in this one.

Age Fit

This is a hard R for a reason. It's best for older teens (16+) who are already fans of the genre. If they haven't seen a slasher before, starting here is like jumping into the deep end of a pool filled with sharks.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it's a bloodbath, the 'Core Four' survivors share a genuine, protective bond that serves as the emotional anchor. It's less about the kills and more about sisterhood and shared trauma.

Imaginative

The move to New York City breathes new life into the franchise tropes. The meta-commentary on 'franchise rules' remains clever, even if it's starting to feel a bit self-aware for its own good.

Safe

It's a slasher, and it's the goriest one in the series. High body count, intense stabbings, and visceral violence throughout. Definitely not for the squeamish or younger viewers.

Enriching

Offers an interesting look at how survivors process collective trauma and the ethics of true-crime obsession, though these themes often take a backseat to the next kill.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The NYC setting is used brilliantly, turning subways and bodegas into claustrophobic kill zones.
The Core Four characters (the survivors from the previous film) have great chemistry and make you actually care if they live or die.
It's a meta-lover's dream, constantly deconstructing the rules of horror sequels while playing directly into them.
The opening scene is a genuine subversion of expectations that sets a high bar for the rest of the movie.

⚠

What to Watch For

The bodega and subway scenes are incredibly tense and might be a trigger for anyone with a fear of public transit or urban violence.
The gore is significantly dialed up compared to previous entries; the kills are lingering and much more visceral.
The plot relies heavily on franchise lore, so if you haven't seen the original or the 2022 'requel,' some of the impact will be lost.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think we are so obsessed with 'true crime' stories and the people who commit them?"
"Ghostface is always a different person—does that make the 'villain' more or less scary than someone like Michael Myers?"
"How does the change from a small town to a huge city change the way the characters feel about their safety?"
"The 'Core Four' talk a lot about 'found family.' Why is that bond sometimes stronger than actual family ties?"

Deep Dive

The Manhattan Massacre

Moving the franchise out of Woodsboro was the smartest move the creators could have made. In a small town, you can lock the doors; in New York City, you're trapped in a crowd of people who are trained to mind their own business. The subway sequence, where multiple people are dressed as Ghostface for Halloween, is a masterclass in urban paranoia.

The Core Four

Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera carry the emotional weight here. The 'Core Four'—the two sisters and the twins—provide a reason to watch beyond the mystery of who is under the mask. It’s rare for a slasher to spend this much time on the 'quiet moments' between the scares, but it makes the stakes feel much higher when the knife finally comes out.

Is it too much?

For some parents, the level of violence here will be the breaking point. This isn't the 'fun' horror of the late 90s. It’s intense, the stabbings are frequent and messy, and the killers have a level of brutality that feels more grounded in modern crime than classic movie monsters. If your teen is sensitive to 'mean-spirited' violence, this might be a skip, but for seasoned horror fans, it's a solid 123 minutes of entertainment.

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