Scream 5 Theories
Death of Sidney Prescott
Sidney Prescott is the ultimate final girl, perhaps only second to Jamie Lee Curtis. The Scream franchise is known for its gruesome opening scenes that pack a punch. The opening scene of the first movie, starring Drew Barrymore, is one of the most memorable horror movie moments of all time, and the sequels do their best to make their offerings as iconic. Scream 2 hits the nail on the head with the movie theater opening(cinema bathrooms still creep me out), 3 begins with the death of Cotton Weary, and 4 with the film within a film kill montage.
There would be no bigger and better way to open Scream 5 than with the death of the franchise’s beloved final girl, Sidney Prescott. I stan the idea of killing Sidney in an opening scene which mirrors almost shot for shot the iconic Drew Barrymore kill. It would be the ultimate throwback to the original movie, as well as very on brand for a franchise that loves to get meta.
What’s makes Scream great is that as well as belonging to the slasher genre, it’s also a gripping murder mystery. The story-line of Scream 5 could follow fan favourites Gale and Dewey as they attempt to solve the murder of Sidney Prescott.
Probability: Neve Campbell almost never signed on for the 4th and 5th installments in the franchise and her role in the 3rd installment was reduced due to scheduling conflicts, leaving co-stars Courtney Cox and David Arquette to take the reigns. If Campbell had failed to return for Scream 4, revised scripts seen Cox and Arquette play the leads. It’s possible Campbell could be ready the leave the role behind, leaving her co-stars to shine.
The Return of Kirby
If Sidney dies Scream needs a new final girl. That’s just the rules of the genre! Who better suited to the title than Kirby Reed, the stand-out character in Scream 4. Sassy horror buff Kirby’s budding romance with Charlie Walker was cut short when he stabbed her in the stomach, revealing himself to be one of the killers. The last time we saw Kirby she was bleeding out, but not yet dead, leaving the door open for her return.
Probability: This one seems unlikely as Actress Hayden Panettiere has not been announced to return Scream 5. However, it could be a case of production keeping her return under wraps.
Gale Weathers is the Killer
One theory suggests that Gale Weathers’ will be the one to wear the iconic Ghostface costume in the new installment. Her motive: To generate book sales.
Personally, I hate this theory. It goes against everything we know about Gale as a character. While cut throat and career driven, Gale ultimately has a good heart, an aspect of her personality we see grow over the course of the franchise. The motive also feels like a recycled version of Jill’s ‘doing it for the fame’ story arc in Scream 4.
Probability: In the words of Randy, “Everyone is a suspect.”
Randy is the Mastermind
Personally, I love this theory as Randy Meeks is one of my favourite characters in the franchise. Horror movie expert Randy would certainly have the know-how to pull off being a murderous mastermind. In Scream 3 it is revealed that Randy left behind a tape prior to his death correctly predicting his demise, as well as the third killing spree. Could this tape be a hint that Randy faked his death and has been the mastermind behind the Woodsboro murders all along? If executed well this theory could be a great way to link Scream 5 to the events of the original trilogy.
Probability: The original Scream 3 script saw Randy return from the dead, however it was later cut out due to being unrealistic. With clever writing, this is a theory that could be explosive if brought to life on screen.
New Nightmare
Any horror fan worth their salt knows that Wes Craven’s New Nightmare follows the cast of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street as they are terrorised by Freddy Kruger in the real world. Some theories suggest Scream 5 will take this approach and see the cast of the Scream franchise stalked and murdered by a real life copycat. I mean, the franchise isn’t afraid to get meta. The films are full of easter eggs and nods to the horror genre. There’s also the Stab movies that appear throughout the films, Randy’s ‘Rules of Horror’, and Scream 4 was basically a social commentary on Horror Reboots.
The main argument against this theory is that the genre has ‘been there, done that’ with New Nightmare. Perhaps, however, enough time has passed since the release of New Nightmare that the meta concept of the film would feel fresh and innovative to the new, younger audience Scream 5 is bound to draw in thanks to castings such as Dylan Minnette(13 Reasons Why) and Jenna Ortega(You). One thing’s for sure, if this theory is true it would certainly polarise fans.
Probability: In my opinion, this would feel like a rip-off. Many of the original cast members haven’t signed on to reprise their roles either, leading me to believe this one is just a theory
