Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson’s Scream Franchise is iconic for a multitude of reasons. However, one of the standout ideas to come from the films is the idea of horror movie rules. In every Scream movie, there are specific rules mentioned that horror films must follow.  However, with every sequel (including the upcoming Scream VI) new rules are added and even changed.

So, let’s go over the rules we know so far. The Rules have changed. And the rules that have been added by the cast for Scream VI.

In Scream this list is given to us at a party by Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) who states the following.

  1. You can never have sex.
  2. You can never drink or do drugs.
  3. Never, ever, ever under any circumstances say, “I’ll be right back.” Because you won’t be back.

However, just like with a sequel, that isn’t the end of the story. In the following films, there are more rules added that the films must follow.

SCREAM 2 – How to survive a horror movie sequel

  1. The body count is always bigger.
  2. The death scenes are always much more elaborate, with more blood and gore.

However, when Randy begins to describe the third rule. “If you want your films to become a successful franchise, never, ever…’ he is interrupted by Dewey. We do eventually learn the full third rule with an extended version of the rules scene.

3. Never, ever, under any circumstances assume the killer is dead.

This is also the film that begins to give the killers rules! 

Killer Rule: Killers kill people who share names with victims from the first installment

SCREAM 3 – How to survive the last chapter of a horror movie franchise

  1. You’ve got a killer who’s gonna be superhuman. Stabbing him won’t work, shooting him won’t work. Basically in the third one, you gotta cryogenically freeze his head, decapitate him, or blow him up.”
  2. Anyone, including the main character, can die. “This means you, Sid.”
  3. The past will come back to bite you in the ass. Whatever you think you know about the past, forget it. The past is not at rest! Any sins you think were committed in the past are about to break out and destroy you.

Killer Rule: The killer kills in the Stab 3 kill order and each kill leaves behind a picture of teenage Maureen Prescott.

SCREAM 4 – Rules to survive a horror franchise remake

  1. Don’t fuck with the original.
  2. The death scenes have to be way more extreme.
  3. Unexpected is the new cliche.

Rule #4 changes everything in a big way.

  1. Virgins can die now.
  2. New versions are always 2.0, so the latest technology is always involved and integral to the plot. This means the killer may start filming the murders.
  3. You have to have an opening sequence.
  4. If you want to survive in a modern-day horror movie, you pretty much have to be gay.

Killer Rule: the killer records the deaths and uploads them to the internet.

SCREAM 5  – New rules given to us by Dewey

  1. Never trust your love interest.
  2. The killer always has something to do with the past.
  3. The first victim always has a circle of friends that the killer is a part of.

There are a couple more in this film given to us by other characters. 

Gale: The movie always goes back to the original.

Sam: Never F**K with the daughter of a serial killer

Killer Rule: The killer attacks people related to the original victims or killers.

That brings us to Scream VI. In an Instagram Reel promoting the film, Jenna Ortega (Wednesday), Melissa Barerra (In the Heights), and Mason Gooding (Love, Victor) share what it takes to survive in their horror movie!

SCREAM VI RULES

  • Charge your phone in case you need to call for help, but don’t answer if it rings.
  • Check all the dark stairs, good enough.
  • Don’t leave your apartment.
  • Delete your delivery apps
  • Keep alert

What could these new rules mean for the film? Jenna Ortega has already promised this film will be the goriest of the franchise. Ghost Face will still be calling while hiding under the stairs. It also seems agoraphobia is the way to go because Ghost Face is going to be like Visa – everywhere you wanna be.

The idea that Postmates, GrubHub, and UberEats will be gateways to murder is horrifying. I use those weekly!

What other twists, turns, and surprises do you think are headed our way in Scream VI on March 10th?! Comment and let me know!