The Scream franchise is known for its opening sequence, but an overlooked sequel memorably reinvented the formula. The original Scream opened with Drew Barrymore’s Casey Becker being taunted on the phone by an unknown caller before becoming the first victim of Ghostface. It became an iconic horror movie moment and a definitive sequence in the Scream franchise.

Since then, the Scream sequels have been finding new ways to shock audiences with that opening scene, including Scream VI’s opening with Ghostface being revealed right away. While none of the opening scenes match the brilliance of the original, it was the franchise’s most forgotten entry that spun the idea most creatively.

Scream 4 Has A Creative Take On The Iconic Opening Scene

The Scream Sequel Leans Into The Meta-Commentary

Scream 4 opens like most of these movies do, with two friends, Trudi and Sherrie, sitting around talking about the current state of horror movies when they get a phone call. The iconic voice of Ghostface is heard as the girls gradually discover this is no harmless prank caller. Before they can get to safety, they are attacked and killed.

However, instead of the expected тιтle card for Scream 4, a тιтle card for Stab 6, a movie franchise within the Scream universe, appears. It is revealed that the opening was just the film that was being watched by Rachel and Chloe. However, as Rachel complains that the franchise can’t surprise fans anymore, Chloe stabs her.

Once again, it is revealed that this was also just a movie being watched by two other characters, Marnie and Jenny. Unfortunately for them, they are not in one of the Stab movies, but rather two residents of Woodsboro who are targeted by the latest copycat killer as the 15th anniversary of the original killings occurred.

Indeed, a lot of time had pᴀssed both in the Scream movies and in real life. It has been over a decade since Scream 3, and the opening’s meta-commentary acknowledges that it is hard to still shock fans with these opening scenes. Scream 4 boldly tries something new while also building moments of tension.

The opening leaves the audience unaware of what to believe and feeling that anything could happen. It also comments on the legacy of the Scream franchise itself, as this horror property has been around for a while and is perhaps not as trusted as it once was.

Scream 4 does not get as much love as some of the other sequels. However, this clever opening scene proves that it is a worthy return that deserves another look.

Scream 4’s Opening Scene Is More Star-Studded Than Most Movies

The Cameos Uphold A Scream Tradition

Along with the movie-within-a-movie twists, Scream 4 also features a collection of notable actors appearing in this opening segment. The Stab 6 sequence features Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) and Shenae Grimes-Beech (90210). The Stab 7 scene features Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) and Anna Paquin (X-Men). The real victims are Britt Robertson (Life Unexpected) and Aimeé Teegarden (Friday Night Lights).

The star-studded cast adds to the confusion of the opening while also referencing the trend started by the first Scream movie. Drew Barrymore’s casting in Scream was a brilliant twist as she was a big-name star whose death in the first scene shocked audiences. Since then, the Scream movies have continued to cast notable actors as the first victims.

Scream 4 embraces this tradition with several actors who are some of the biggest names in the cast, yet they only last a matter of minutes. The fact that Scream 4 committed to this trend, even with the kills that weren’t real, is a perfect way for the Scream sequel to play into the expectations of fans, then subvert them.