“Scream” was the first slasher film I ever watched at the age of 12. Ever since I witnessed the infamous killings at the hands of Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), the “Scream” series has held a special place in my heart. When “Scream VI” hit theaters March 10, I knew I couldn’t stop myself from going to watch the latest installment in the franchise.

“Scream VI” follows sisters Tara (Jenna Ortega) and Sara Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and their friends Mindy Meeks (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Chad Meeks (Mason Gooding) as they navigate college life in New York City after surviving the Ghostface murders in Woodsboro, California. However, just as they begin to find comfort in their new lives, the murders of a couple students at their school remind the group that they cannot truly escape their past. 

When “Scream VI” was in its initial stages, it was announced that Neve Campbell, who played the original final girl of the series, Sidney Prescott, wouldn’t be returning for this movie. At that point, I had no doubt that this film would easily be the worst movie in the series — I could not fathom continuing the series without the original character fans have been following throughout the movies. Yet, from the moment the opening kill took place, I realized that this “Scream” wouldn’t be like the rest in all aspects, it would be better.

Though Campbell’s character was missed, the nostalgia from the past movies remained present through the returning characters of Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere). The change of atmosphere from a small town to a bustling city unexpectedly heightened the intensity and tension of all scenes. Even though I saw all the ads for the movie, I still found myself surprised and nervous whenever Ghostface would do something out of the ordinary — such as trade in his usual weapon for something far more disastrous, a gun. As blatantly mentioned by Mindy, “Scream VI” followed almost none of the rules of the past movies — each character was expendable, and not even the most trustworthy could be trusted. I was so sure I knew who Ghostface was from the second the movie started and, yet, I was met with plot twist after plot twist, causing my jaw to drop and remain on the floor. 

“Scream VI” has taken the franchise in a totally different direction, providing a much needed plot twist and amping up all its usual key factors: humor, nostalgia and violence. Although I was originally nervous for what the movie would hold, it only made me wish for a seventh part to the series. If you are hesitant on whether “Scream VI” is worth the watch, I can 100% vouch for all its greatness — “Scream VI” is easily one of the best in the series.