Scream 6's early reactions reveal that the slasher sequel is as intense as ever. The sixth overall film in the franchise that began with Scream in 1996 and the direct sequel to the fifth film Scream 2022, Scream 6 follows the core group of surviving characters from the previous film to New York City, where a new Ghostface killer descends upon the town. The film was helmed by returning directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who were handed the directorial reins for the 2022 sequel after the death of franchise stalwart Wes Craven in 2015.

Today, critics and various pop culture figures around the Internet have been allowed to share their first spoiler-free reactions to the film one week ahead of the official premiere of Scream 6. They seem unanimous in their enthusiastic praise for the film, saying that it doubles down on the gore and the scares. Many of them have also praised the core cast of returning characters in Scream 2022, saying they really come into their own here. Read select reactions below:

Related: 6 Ways Scream 6's Ghostface Is Already Different

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Is Scream 6's Core 4 Ready to Carry the Franchise Into the Future?

Mason Gooding and Cast in Scream 6

The Scream franchise is rather unique in the slasher world for featuring a cadre of returning survivors that come back through the years. For the first five films, the backbone of the franchise was formed by consummate final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), hardnosed reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), and hapless deputy - eventually turned sheriff - Dewey Riley (David Arquette). However Scream 2022 killed off Dewey's character and Campbell isn't returning for Scream 6 due to a contract dispute, so only Gale Weathers and Scream 4's Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) are on hand to represent legacy characters in Scream 6.

This absence puts a lot more of the weight of the franchise on the shoulders of the core 4 characters introduced in Scream 2022, who are both pairs of siblings. First, there are formerly estranged sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter, played by Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. They are accompanied by a set of twins whose uncle is Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy), who died in Scream 2: the horror movie buff Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and her jock brother Chad (Mason Gooding).

According to these early reactions, these Scream 6 stars are fully capable of holding their own in the franchise. While a potential Scream 7 hasn't been announced yet, it seems entirely likely thanks to the new film's strong box office projections. While audiences have yet to decide for themselves if they love this new group as much as the original trio, their rising stars combined with their strong chemistry will hopefully help propel the franchise forward into a new era.

More: Scream 2022 Proves Friday the 13th’s Reboots Missed A Clever Trick

Source: Various (see above)

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