The review embargo for Scream VI has lifted earlier today and, for the most part, it's a hit with critics. The horror franchise was revived last year with filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett delivering a crowd-pleasing hit that grossed an impressive $140 million on a mere $24 million budget.
Needless to say, expectations for this follow-up are through the roof, and there are already rumours doing the rounds that cameras will begin rolling on Scream VII later this year.
Going back to this instalment, though, and it currently has a "Fresh" score of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes (via FearHQ.com). This is likely to fluctuate somewhat in the coming days, but if these early verdicts are any indications, it will probably land somewhere around the same place as its predecessor (Scream sits at a solid 76%).
80% also ties it with 1996's Scream, though 1992's Scream 2 is still the highest-rated instalment at 82%.
Unfortunately, our own RorMachine wasn't a fan, noting in his review that "this latest Scream movie leaps over the slyly self-aware line to become a full-on parody of itself, to the point that it really does begin to play out more like an instalment in the Scary Movie franchise."
The movie will start rolling out into theaters tomorrow evening, so you'll soon get the opportunity to make your own minds up. Looking through other reviews, the majority of critics seem to agree that longtime fans will find lots to love, anyway.
Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in Scream VI.
Melissa Barrera (Sam Carpenter), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Mindy Meeks-Martin), Mason Gooding (Chad Meeks-Martin), Jenna Ortega (Tara Carpenter), Hayden Panettiere (Kirby Reed), and Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers) return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett return to direct the action after 2022's Scream proved to be a critical and commercial hit, while the screenplay was penned by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick.
Scream VI is set to be released in theaters on March 10.