Warning: Spoilers ahead for Scream 6!Scream 6 poked fun at the popular fan theories suggesting Stu Macher is still alive in the Scream universe, using a key character to reignite the big debate. Stu was played by Matthew Lillard in 1996’s Scream, serving as one half of the Ghostface team that also consisted of Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich). After being severely wounded by Billy, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) ended up finishing off Stu, pushing a large TV onto his head, electrocuting him. Still, despite his seemingly confined death, there had always been rumblings of Stu’s return each time a new Scream sequel was released.

Ahead of both Scream 2022 and Scream 6, theories spread that Stu was the mastermind behind the killings considering the new Ghostface killer left clues deeply rooted in the original murders. Many were also convinced that Stu could have survived the TV incident with possible retcon opportunities to explain that he was in jail, justifying any offscreen absence. The theories were fueled even more when Stu’s nephew appeared in Scream 2022, as well as the Macher house, the location of Scream’s climactic third act. The Stu theories ended up getting a meta response as Scream 6 incorporated the debate thanks in part to Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown).

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Mindy Has A Theory That Stu Macher Is Still Alive In Scream 6

Mindy and Kirby in Scream 6

Mindy had always been cynical when it came to the truth behind the various Ghostface killings as well as potential suspects. This didn’t change in Scream 6. In fact, she elevated her belief in horror rules, upgrading the group’s situation to the “franchise” status. Mindy got closer to the truth when she accompanied the others to Scream 6's Easter egg-filled Ghostface shrine where she examined the exact TV that killed Stu. When Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) brought up that fact, Mindy quietly replied, “if you believe he’s dead.” This essentially implied that Mindy is a believer in theories that suggest Stu could still be alive.

Scream’s creator Kevin Williamson has confirmed Stu’s death, but that hasn’t slowed the theories. With others at the helm of recent Scream 6 installments, there’s always a possibility to follow with Mindy’s suggestion that Lillard's character is alive and possibly waiting for the perfect time to return. That said, even if the real Stu is dead, there are still ways for Stu to return as teased by Williamson. The easiest option, of course, is following in Billy’s footsteps by showing Stu through visions haunting Sam. This would give future Scream movies a way to bring back another original killer while expanding on the severity of Sam’s struggle with her darker side.

How Scream 6 Still Honors Stu Macher

Ghostface Scream 6 Stu

Scream 6 may not have directly confirmed the “Stu Macher is still alive” theory, but the 2023 sequel took the time to honor Lillard’s character. All nine previous Ghostface killers were presented in the shrine, with their masks playing a large role in New York City killings. The Ghostface shrine also contained numerous Scream Easter eggs, including weapons and even the outfit Stu was wearing when he died, in addition to the aforementioned TV that killed him. Like the shrine’s presentation, Scream 6 put Stu’s legacy on display to prove how important he still is to the history of Ghostface.

Stu’s TV also played a vital role during Scream 6’s ending. After Sam killed Detective Bailey (Dermot Mulroney), she and Tara (Jenna Ortega) thought they were finally safe until Bailey’s son Ethan (Jack Champion) popped back up for another Ghostface attack. Thankfully, Kirby appeared and fittingly pushed the TV set onto Ethan, crushing his head. The Scream 6 was a clever callback to Stu and toyed with the never-ending theories regarding his fate. If Lillard does appear as the real Stu in a future Scream movie, Mindy would deserve a lot of credit, as would the dedicated theorists.

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