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Do you like scary movies? We do! In this episode of Drawn to Darkness, we discuss Wes Craven’s Scream, the self-aware slasher that revived the genre and was a gateway to loving horror movies for so  many of us.

From Drew Barrymore’s unforgettable 12-minute opener to the Woodsboro house party, we explore how the film subverted horror tropes, dissect Sydney Prescott’s role as trauma survivor and feminist final girl icon, and argue why Matthew Lillard’s Stu might just be the MVP of the movie.

Expect nostalgia and laughter, as we talk killer fun facts, iconic lines (“I'll be right back!”), and the twist of the Ghostface reveal. We also dig into the film’s darker undercurrents: grief, media sensationalism, and domestic partner abuse.

Content & Spoiler Warning:
This episode contains discussion of graphic violence, murder, and domestic trauma. It also includes spoilers for Scream (1996) and references to other horror classics.

Palate Cleanser

Annie’s cure for all that blood and guts? Dogs—lots of dogs. Caroline’s? A TikTok handle called The Scenic Pickle, which features a pickle chilling in nature to ’90s grunge tracks. Absurd, yet strangely soothing.

Recommendations

Films & TV:

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) — the original film
• The Craft — another ’90s cult classic with supernatural flair
• Ever After — for a softer Drew Barrymore escape
• Cabin in the Woods and Tucker & Dale vs Evil  — for brilliant horror satire
• Scary Movie because obviously.
• Scream sequels (2, 3, 4, and 5)
• Cruel Intentions
• Halloween H2O and I Know What You Did Last Summer, Urban Legend, The Faculty, Disturbing Behaviour for more nostalgic ’90s teen slashers
• Psycho — for the original early-death shocker
• Party of Five — for your Neve Campbell nostalgia
• Dawson's Creek - same writer Kevin Williamson!
• The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
• Faculty of Horror podcast — for those who like their slasher talk scholarly
• Mean Girls — because, let’s be honest, Gail Weathers is a mean girl.

Homework Assignment

Before our next episode, watch “The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel”. We’ll be examining the true-crime and media parallels that connect this haunting documentary to Rosemary’s Baby.

After that, Stranger Things Season 4, where bad Billies, horror homage, and moral panic all return in full force.

So follow the rules of a horror movie: Charge your phone, avoid the basement, no Ouija boards, and never say, "I'll be right back."

We’ll see you in two weeks—only on Drawn to Darkness.

Special thanks to Nancy Azano for our cover art (Instagram: @nancyazano) and to Harry Kidd for our opening score (Instagram: @harryjkidd)