The 1996 that defined a generation is perfect for Halloween
A still from Scream, available on BBC iPlayer(Image: BBC)
Spooky season is well and truly upon us as many people will be plotting what scary films they will be watching to mark this year’s Halloween. Finding the perfect Halloween movie is a difficult ask as there are many horror movies to wade through to try and find your jump scare fix.
While there is no shortage of classic horror films to pick from, there is also a fair share of duds that could easily spoil your Halloween night. One film that definitely will not spoil your Halloween is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. Scream was released in 1996 and shaped the next generation of horror films.
The Wes Craven classic has become part of the fabric of of our pop culture with the Ghostface costume being a stable of people’s Halloween fancy dress. It’s also incredibly quotable with the line, ‘Do you like a scary movies’, in the film’s iconic opening scene when the character played by Drew Barrymore answers the phone, something often parodied.
This is an irony in itself as Scream is a parody of the traditional 1970s slasher film. Although the film is such a celebrated horror landmark, it surprisingly only boasts a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
While this is still an overall fresh rating, it could be expected a film that set the template for modern horror, and spawned many self-referential imitations afterwards, could have a better rating.
The iconic opening scene to Scream, available on BBC iPlayer now
Some of the reviews from critics are glowing as they praise Scream’s cultural impact. The Radio Times said: “With its genuinely bone-chilling opening and utterly fresh take on the genre, Scream is nothing short of a modern classic.”
Empire Magazine said in its four star review: “The once hip irony of Scream is now something of a cliche, but after all of the imitations, have another look at the real thing.
“Clever, quick and bloody funny. ‘Bloody’ being the operative word.”
Entertainment Weekly said: “Poised on the knife edge between parody and homage, Wes Craven’s Scream is a deft, funny, shrewdly unsettling tribute to such slasher-exploitation thrillers as Terror Train, New Year’s Evil, and Craven’s own A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
The Guardian said: “They’re films you can enjoy on a number of levels. They work as slasher movies. They work as commentary on slasher movies.
“Despite the murders, they are strangely comforting. You can watch one in 20-minute increments over a week. You can turn out all the lights and immerse yourself completely.
“You can put them on in the background while doing your tax or baking cookies. They’re also just a wonderful time capsule of the 90s.”
The positive write up added: “If you haven’t watched them before, now is the time. If you have watched them before, it’s time to revisit. And if you did a rewatch last week – do another one tonight.”
The Times said: “Aside from the in-jokes, Craven ensures we scream alongside his characters at the indestructible killer in the Halloween who taunts down the phone.”
Scream 1, 2 and 3 are all available to watch now on BBC iPlayer