THE REWATCHABLES · October 12, 2017
A 1996 horror / slasher directed by Wes Craven, covered in the complete Rewatchables archive.
FROM THE CONVERSATION
WHY IT WORKS
WHAT DID NOT WORK
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Held up as an all-time opening that works as both a horror set piece and a masterclass in suspense.
Opening minutesThe rules monologue is treated as one of the film's signature meta-comedy scenes.
About 8 minThe double-killer reveal and the kitchen back-and-forth are described as riveting.
About 16 minMentioned as a memorable and gruesome death scene, though not the top candidate.
About 8 minUsed as a notable character beat that shows the movie's willingness to go physical and funny.
About 24 min · medium confidenceWHERE THEY DISAGREED
Sean FennesseyIt is definitely a horror movie because it pushes horror buttons and centers on killers and deaths.
Bill SimmonsIt straddles horror and thriller territory, and the genre line is blurry.
Jason ConcepcionIt feels like a horror movie, especially because of the killings and meta structure.
Bill SimmonsMatthew Lillard is the winner because of his chaotic energy.
Jason ConcepcionThe horror genre wins overall, but Lillard is the personal standout.
Speaker not identifiedThe mask is the best single element.
Shea SerranoNeve Campbell is the better fit because she can play sadness and toughness.
Bill SimmonsDrew Barrymore's star power in the opener gave the movie crucial credibility.
Bill SimmonsLandlines are the worst-aged element, though cell-phone logic is maybe defensible.
Sean FennesseyThe cell-phone usage is questionable but can be rationalized for the era.
Argues the movie revived horror after the genre had gone stale in the sequel era.
Opening minutesCalls the opening scene one of the best ever and probably the movie's most rewatchable stretch.
About 8 minUltimately crowns Lillard the movie's winner and loves his wild energy.
About 40 minLoves how perfectly the movie cast its young ensemble and thinks the movie could hardly be improved by recasting.
About 16 minValues the movie's rules-based, self-aware approach as a key reason it influenced later horror.
About 8 minThinks the opening death scene is spectacular even before the movie shifts focus.
Opening minutesThe movie is framed as the title that brought horror back into the cultural conversation after a dry period.
Opening minutesThe film's constant awareness of horror-movie rules is presented as central to its legacy.
About 8 minThe film is linked to the broader late-90s wave of high-school movies and teen social life.
About 8 minThe movie's impact is repeatedly tied to how perfectly the young cast fit their roles.
About 8 minThe film was originally titled Scary Movie during production.
About 8 minDrew Barrymore was only available for four days, which is why she plays the opening victim instead of Sidney.
About 16 minThe movie was reportedly submitted to the MPAA multiple times because of violence.
About 40 minWes Craven appears in a cameo as the character in the Ghostface costume.
About 48 minLinda Blair is cited as appearing briefly as a reporter.
About 48 minThe final scene reportedly took 21 days to shoot and used 50 gallons of fake blood.
About 48 minUsed repeatedly as a template for slasher conventions and for the opening scene's homage structure.
Opening minutesReferenced as an earlier example of killing the apparent star early.
About 8 minReferenced in the opening quiz and as part of horror-movie literacy.
About 8 minMentioned as an earlier surprise-twist example.
About 8 min · medium confidenceUsed as another example of a pre-/early-internet surprise that could not stay secret today.
About 8 min · medium confidenceCited as one of the teen-horror movies that followed in Scream's wake.
About 8 minMentioned as part of the broader late-90s high-school movie boom.
About 8 minUsed as an example of a lesser movie that rode the same teen-horror wave.
About 8 minDebated as a contemporary horror or thriller example and compared to Scream's self-awareness.
About 16 minReferenced in the horror-vs-thriller debate and again in a semen joke tangent.
About 16 minReferenced as Wes Craven's other major horror franchise and as a point of comparison for his career.
About 40 minMentioned as Craven's prior meta-Freddy attempt that failed commercially.
About 48 minUsed to explain Neve Campbell's emotional credibility and to discuss her career apex.
About 16 minUsed to frame Courteney Cox's fame level and character image at the time.
About 24 minReferenced as improving the panel's view of David Schwimmer apart from Ross.
About 32 min · medium confidenceThe opening quote exchange from the film is repeatedly imitated and referenced as a signature bit.
Opening minutesThe panel jokes about Skeet Ulrich's unusual name and a semen-related aside from another Rewatchables episode.
About 48 minA recurring Rewatchables bit used here to determine the film's standout element.
About 1:12The double-killer self-stabbing scene is replayed and mocked for its over-the-top dialogue.
About 16 minA digression about Neve Campbell's TV work turns into an emotional Party of Five callback.
About 24 min · medium confidence“Do you like scary movies?”Opening minutes
“The first 12 minutes is incredible.”About 8 min
“You better just leave or else.”About 8 min
“Your mother's a whore.”About 32 min
“Matthew Lillard is the winner.”About 1:12
MAKE IT A MOVIE NIGHT
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
Three movies to watch before Scream, and three to watch next.
ON THE MIC
Bill SimmonsThe Rewatchables
Sean FennesseyThe Rewatchables
Shea SerranoThe RewatchablesREWATCH FAVS
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