Overview and Answer-First Summary
Scream is a 1996 American slasher film that redefined the horror genre by mixing classic slasher tropes with self-aware satire and sharp social commentary. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, the movie follows high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she becomes the target of a mysterious killer who taunts her while systematically murdering her friends and classmates. By weaponizing the rules of horror films, Scream asks why people watch scary movies and how they might behave if attacked in real life. Its blend of genre savvy, inventive kills, and pop-culture references made it both a critical success and a commercial blockbuster, establishing a long-running franchise.