Summary
BothScream 7andKnives Out3,which is calledWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mysteryand will be released in 2025, are two of the most highly anticipated upcoming movies. Ever sinceKnives Outwas released in 2019, the thriller has quickly become a fan favorite, and it’s no wonder it has led to two sequels. The franchises have a lot in common, withKnives Outswitching up the typical murder mystery format andScream 7likely commenting on the horror genreas previous movies have.
There is one specific way thatScream 7can be inspired by Rian Johnson’sKnives Outmovies and also his TV seriesPoker Face, which stars Natasha Lyonne and is available to stream on Peacock. This storytelling device would work well in the upcoming horror sequel.
How Scream 7 Can Copy Rian Johnson’s Knives Out And Poker Face Reveals
Rian Johnson switched up the idea of a “whodunnit” byrevealing what really happens to the murder victim at the beginningofKnives Out. Johnson’s TV seriesPoker Facealso reworksColumboby showing the murder and then forming a mystery around it as the detective figures it out.Scream 7should share who Ghostface is in the opening sequence and then create a mystery.
This would change the entire format ofScream, which would be a good thing. While fans wonderwhich actors should be in theScream 7opening killand come up withtheories about this important scene, it would be particularly impactful if audiences know who Ghostface is. SinceScreamis always about the same final girl, a Ghostface whose motives can be traced back to her, and teenagers who love theStabmovies (and don’t take the real threat seriously), this would be a surefire way to surprise audiences. It would also make for an especially entertaining movie sincefans would try to guess when Sidney and the others would figure out who Ghostface is.
IfScream 7can tell audiences who Ghostface is (whether there is one or more), it will not only be fascinating to watch but it will be a way for thehorror sequel to improve on theimpressiveScream 6opening.Scream 6almost reveals who Ghostface is in the very first few moments but then shocks everyone by having another Ghostface kill them.
Being inspired by Rian Johnson’s clever approach to storytelling would also work forScream 7because the most enjoyable parts ofScreamare always the opening scenes and when the characters investigate Ghostface. While the big reveal at the end of each movie is entertaining and memorable, the motives can sometimes be boring and fall flat. This way, the motive becomes the least important part of the movie, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Sharing Ghostface’s identity first inScream 7would alsoimpress audiences and make them excited for more potentialScreammovies. Whilefans debate ifScream 7should be the last movie, if the upcoming sequel does something different, horror fans will appreciate it.
How Else Can Scream 7 Be Inspired By Rian Johnson’s Knives Out Franchise?
Thememorable ending ofGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mysterymakes it hard to wait forKnives Out 3, andScream 7can take inspiration from theKnives Outfranchisein a few important ways.
For one thing,Scream 7should continue to lean into strong character development. Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas) stands out because she isn’t who she seems, which makes her fascinating to watch. It would be interesting if Sidney would share a big secret at the end ofScream 7that she’s been hiding. While of course Sidney shouldn’t stop being a likable character, fans assume thatScream 7will put Sidney into the spotlightmore thanScream (2022)did. It’s the perfect opportunity to do something different with Sidney’s character.
Which Movies Did Rian Johnson Write And Direct?
Scream 7can also introduce complicated family dynamicslike bothKnives OutandGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mysterydo. While Sidney’s aunt Kate and cousin Jill Roberts (Emma Roberts) are big parts ofScream 4,fans don’t learn much about Sidney’s relationship with them. IfPatrick Dempsey plays Mark Kincaid again inScream 7, then there should be at least a few significant scenes between Sidney and Mark that show they have had some conflict over the years. They should also currently be dealing with some tension. Otherwise, they might not be that compelling to watch.
Scream 7should also feature at least one big twist. Rian Johnson’s thriller moviesKnives OutandGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mysteryand his TV seriesPoker Facesurprise fans at almost every turn. This helps them stand out among more lackluster thrillers that follow paint-by-numbers kind of formula. Since audiences are so used toScreamby now and know what’s coming, this is the best way thatScream 7can impress people.
Scream
The Scream movie and TV franchise began with the release of the first film in 1996. Directed by horror master Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, the deconstruction of slasher movies was an instant cultural, critical, and financial hit. Neve Campbell, who plays ongoing final girl Sidney Prescott, has become a horror icon in her own right, along with Ghostface, the only horror villain whose identity is always changing. Nearly three decades later, the Scream franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
