Warning: This post contains spoilers for 2022’s Scream.
Scream (2022) director Tyler Gillett reveals an Easter egg in the film’s finale that pays homage to horror icon Freddy Krueger, the antagonist of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Scream is known for its meta-commentary and salutes to other horror movies, and Scream (2022) is no different with its dissections of modern horror tropes and fandom obsession. The film sees Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox reprising their roles and joined by new cast members Melissa Barrera, Jack Quaid, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, and Jenna Ortega.
Scream (2022) picks up 25 years after the original Scream, where serial killer Ghostface returns in an effort to draw the old characters back to Woodsboro. It’s later revealed in Scream (2022)‘s third act that Quaid and Madison’s characters are responsible for the murders in an effort to renew interest in the town and get a new installment of the Stab series, a film series within the film based on the crimes. In the end, Quaid’s character is stabbed to death, and Madison’s character is set on fire before being shot, ending their crime spree.
When talking to Bloody Disgusting, Gillett mentions that the burn makeup for Madison’s character includes a reference to Krueger, who is known for having severe burns on his face. If one looks closely at the burned ear, it appears that the cartilage is fused onto the side of the actor’s head, similar to Krueger’s design. The designers say they didn’t want to make it obvious, but included it as a treat for eagle-eyed fans. Check out the image below:
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The Easter egg was included to honor the original Scream director Wes Craven, who also directed the original A Nightmare on Elm Street as well as Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, which paved the way for the meta horror-comedy genre popularized by the original Scream. The film also pays homage to Craven by naming Minnette’s character Wes in the film. A sixth film in the franchise has been greenlit and is expected to start filming in the summer of 2022.
Scream (2022) is not the first movie that ends with Madison’s character being set on fire, with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood also featuring a similar ending where she played a member of the Manson Family. Though Madison has confirmed it’s a coincidence, it would be notable if her career trajectory kept including such a memorable way of ending each film, in a similar vein to how Sean Bean became known for dying in every movie he’s in. With Scream (2022) continuing the franchise’s legacy, it’ll be interesting to see how they keep the twists fresh while staying true to the genre that spawned it.
Source: Bloody Disgusting
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