Scream 2022 Proves Scream 2 Had The Perfect Ending

Warning: Contains major spoilers for Scream 2022

Ghostface is revived for a new generation in Scream 2022, but the slasher proves Scream 2 had the perfect ending all along. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett take over directing duties from the late Wes Craven, and the fifth installment in the franchise is filled with references to the earlier movies. However, Scream 2022’s ending only strengthens the first sequel’s sadistic villain plan.

25 years after the original Woodsboro Murders, teenager Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega) is attacked by a new Ghostface killer. This encourages her older sister, Sam (Melissa Barrera), to return to Woodsboro with her supportive boyfriend, Richie (Jack Quaid). As another murder spree plagues the town and Ghostface targets people related to the original killers, Sam must confront a dark secret from her past. Scream 2022 also sees the return of legacy heroes Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Dewey Riley (David Arquette), and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox).

Although Scream 2022 contains many references to 1996’s original Scream, even calling itself a “requel”, there are also significant connections to Scream 2. The fifth movie’s Ghostface reveal effectively flips Scream 2’s ending, both honoring and improving on Mickey’s (Timothy Olyphant) plan to blame movie violence. Further, the reveal acts as a “what if” scenario that reflects a dummy ending involving Derek (Jerry O’Connell) as the killer, demonstrating the brilliance of Scream 2‘s ending.

After trapping the heroes in Stu’s (Matthew Lillard) old house, Ghostface is revealed to be Richie and Amber (Mikey Madison). Having been disgusted by the eighth installment in the Stab series, they orchestrated a new wave of killings in the hope a superior sequel will be made. Their motivation strongly resembles Scream 2’s Ghostface, as film student Mickey planned to blame his actions on the effects of cinematic violence. Even Sidney recognizes the twisted similarity. When an injured Amber begins pleading that she was influenced by her love of Stab, Sidney mockingly cuts her off with the retort, “Did the movies make you do it?”. This indirect reference to Mickey shows Sidney still doesn’t think much of his plan. Even Mickey’s accomplice, Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalf) considered it ridiculous. Except, Scream 2022 proves the opposite is true. Richie and Amber were driven solely by their devotion to Stab, thereby validating Mickey’s entire theory. Scream 2022’s commentary on toxic fandom illustrates how Mickey was ahead of his time, making Scream 2‘s ending even better.

Not only does Scream 2022’s ending reference Scream 2, but Richie’s manipulation of Sam recreates Derek’s story. Nowhere near as obvious as the sinister Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), Richie presents himself as a perfectly harmless everyman more akin to Derek. Early on, Sam advises him to leave Woodsboro for his own safety, echoing Sidney’s warning to Derek. Just like how Derek refuses to abandon his girlfriend, Richie uses his charm to win over Sam, against her better judgment. During a fateful hospital attack, Ghostface slashes Richie’s arm, again echoing Scream 2 and foreshadowing the twist reveal. Following Derek’s very similar attack, his survival was questioned by Dewey and Mickey and was all part of the latter’s subtle tormenting of Sidney. Scream 2022 even reverses Scream 2’s dummy ending, which was leaked during production and named Derek as one of the multiple killers. Richie’s Ghostface identity was an effective reveal but lacked the emotion behind Scream 2‘s gut-wrenching ending.

Derek’s death was incredibly tragic, with Sidney’s doubt about his innocence hindering any chance he had of surviving the massacre. Richie’s seemingly deliberate positioning himself as the new Derek lends a fun contrast to his crazed final attack against Sam, even if it isn’t as impactful as Billy’s original betrayal of Sidney. However, Richie’s storyline underscores how devastating it was that Mickey turned Sidney against her genuinely loving boyfriend. Scream 2022 is a worthy sequel that proves Mickey’s plan has stood the test of time, even if Scream 2‘s ending has yet to be topped.