Ghostface inScream(2022).Photo: BROWNIE HARRIS/ Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group
Everyone’s familiar with the infamous Ghostface mask, but who’s behind it is the constant question at the heart of theScreamfranchise.
Since the widely-successful slasher film debuted in 1996, the five installments that followed kept its classic whodunnit format. InScream’s case — that is — a plot that chronicles a murder mystery surrounding a disguised killer who causes havoc in the California town of Woodsboro.
While the murderer identities behind the mask are different in each film, there are a few factors that always remain the same. Notably, Ghostface’s black-hooded-cloak ensemble paired with its synonymous rubber white mask with blacked-out facial features.
In addition to Ghostface’s ghoulish garb, the creepy voice also remains a constant. Voice actor Roger L. Jackson has been the man behind the murdering monster in every film within theScreamfranchise, despite the revolving actors physically playing the character on screen.
Most recently, the duo have teamed up once again to bring Ghostface to Manhattan forScream VI— who “isn’t like any other Ghostface,” according to anew trailerreleased on Jan. 19.Jenna OrtegaandMelissa Barreraare reprising their roles in the upcoming film, whileScreamstapleCourteney Coxalso makes her return.
Here’s a look back at every Ghostface killer revealed to date.
Warning: This post contains spoilers for the entire ‘Scream’ franchise, including the sixth installment.
Scream 1(1996)
Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock
Billy is the main antagonist of the firstScreamfilm. A horror film fanatic, he recruits his teenage best friend Stu to assist him on his killing spree in the small fictional town of Woodsboro, California. Despite Billy’s admittance that it’s “scarier when there is no motive” to kill, his intent ultimately becomes clear.
Maureen is the first Ghostface kill of theScreamfranchise and the only murder to take place off screen. While both Billy and Stu were involved in this death, itremains a mystery as to who’s responsible for the six other murdersin the first film of the franchise.
Scream 2(1997)
Miramax/courtesy Everett Collection, Dimension Films/Kobal/Shutterstock
Mickey, a film student and Sidney’s best friend at Windsor College, is the first killer revealed inScream 2. Unlike the rest of the murderers in theScreamfranchise, Mickey is the only killer who turns himself in with the intent of getting caught and gaining infamy.
In a copycat Ghostface killing spree, Nancy and Mickey target two of the Woodsboro survivors (Billy’s former girlfriend Sidney and author Gale Weathers) and torment them in Ohio. Her intent was to seek revenge for the death of her son, in addition to frame Mickey as the sole murderer.
Scream 3(2000)
Roman is a music video director, tasked with the gig of helmingStab 3: Return to Woodsboro. The fictional film is the concluding film in the trilogy and is based on the true events of the 1996 Woodsboro and 1998 Windsor College Murders that went down in theScreamfranchise’s first two installments.
It is revealed that Roman is Sidney’s older half-brother, first born of Maureen Prescott. Not only is he her secret maternal sibling, but he is her arch-nemesis. Jealous of her successes, he seeks revenge against her.
Additionally, it is revealed that Roman was the architect behind the aforementioned killing sprees. He wanted to avenge those who wronged him, like his mother who rejected him and her secret affair with Hank.
Thus, he is indirectly responsible for the previous Ghostface murders, despite only appearing inScream 3. Also, Roman holds the record for the most kills in the franchise to date.
Scream 4(2011)
As for Jill, her jealousy of Sidney’s fame as the survivor of the 1996 Woodsboro Murders and her successes that followed were among her leading causes to kill. In honor of the 15th anniversary of the Woodsboro Murders, she teamed up with Charlie to recreate the harrowing happenings in a real-life film.
Jill and Charlie would play the millennial counterparts to Sidney and Randy Meeks in the killing spree that Billy and Stu started. Their plan was to kill and frame her ex-boyfriend, Trevor, for the murders. But Jill secretly intended on framing Charlie as an accomplice, and she would come out on top as the sole survivor.
Meanwhile, Jill’s goal of gaining fame ultimately turned into infamy in the end with seven kills to her name. As for Charlie, his kill game was weak from the start, ultimately leading to his demise far sooner than Jill’s.
Scream 5(2022)
Brownie Harris / © Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
Amber was a super fan of theStabfilms, though she didn’t care for its sequels, particularly the eighth installment. She took her opinions to subreddit where she met Richie. They decided to recreateStab 8themselves, calling it a “requel” (a reboot sequel).
Their intent is to kill sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter, using them as basis of the film. Sam is the long-lost daughter of Billy, who Richie attempts to cozy up as part of his plan before ultimately turning on her in the end. Meanwhile, Amber gets Tara to become her best friend.
Amber’s most notable claim to fame is slashing the long-lasting Dewey Riley, who she murders in self defense. As for Richie, he falls victim to Sam, nearly 25 years after the original massacre.
Scream 6(2023)
Paramount Pictures
There’s no denying that the horror franchise follows a trend of having more than one killer behind the Ghostface mask (with the exception ofScream 3) — andScream 6is no different. In fact, the latest installment is even more ruthless than its predecessors.
Why? Because not two, but three murderers are revealed! The unmasked identities include Wayne Bailey, Quinn Bailey and Ethan Landry.
Wayne is a detective who is investigating the Ghostface murders in New York City, an essential part of the sixth installment’s plot which picks up whereScream 5left off. It follows Tara, Mindy and Chad as they head to N.Y.C. to attend the fictional Blackmore University with Sam tagging along to protect her younger sister. In New York, the gang adds three new members to their crew: Tara’s roommate Quinn, Mindy’s girlfriend Anika and Chad’s roommate Ethan.
The family of killers marked the first time theScreamfranchise unveiled a trifecta of Ghostface identities — but like the murderers who came before them, none of the three made it out of the film alive.
source: people.com
