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I’m not a big fan of horror films, but I’ve always loved the Scream series. Its slasher horror tinged with a goofy and meta rule book really stood out among a genre where every film was nearly the same. It came out at exactly the right time, too. The rebellious 90s angst was fit for skewering and no better horror film caught the feeling of the time. Which is why MTV reviving the series with a TV show is so weird.
Slasher films (or horror in general) don’t lend well to TV, so I’m wondering what the long term effects of this will be. With this first 8 minutes, the series establishes a completely different tone than the original films. Gone is the kooky humor (and pop referential killer), and replaced with faux social medias. On one hand, I’m digging the new tone. There’s still a weird sense of humor that a teenager would be in a house that lavish (and will continue walking around in a bikini despite being frightened), and the “Heads up” bit made me laugh. On the other, why take the name if you’re going to change everything about the original.
Then again, there was a time where MTV would’ve censored that gore. The kills in this opening scene are impressive, so I’ve got to admit I’m hooked. I’ll keep an eye out on this show and see if it can keep up this interesting take.
Scream premieres on MTV, Tuesday at 10/9c.