It's a Scream.

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2016)

Scream (1996): Dir: Wes Craven / Cast: Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Courtney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Drew Barrymore: Horror film that mocks the idea of people reacting to these films. The characters are written into an ominous slasher atmosphere only they know the rules to horror films. Students are shocked at the news of two grisly murders. Neve Campbell stars as Sidney whose mother was murdered the year before. She is placed under police protection after an attack in which her boyfriend is arrested. Very clever with everyone looking guilty yet the film relies too much on graphic violence. Wes Craven directs with skill and insight using the creative impulses that worked well on A Nightmare On Elm Street. Neve Campbell delivers a strong performance as a teenager targeted for murder and not sure who is friend or foe although her discoveries in the third act deliver a great plot twist. Courtney Cox as reporter Gale Weathers arrives on the scene only to be punched in the face by Sidney. She further investigates until the over the top violence in the third act surface. Skeet Ulrich is the accused boyfriend struggling to reconnect with Sidney. Matthew Lillard plays a horror fanatic in what is a pivotal role. Drew Barrymore makes an effective cameo in the film's opening. Intriguing look at unhealthy media influence and the disruption of an unstable mind. Score: 8 / 10