Scream (1996)

Scream (1996), an American slasher film helmed by Wes Craven and penned by Kevin Williamson, is set in the small town of Woodsboro, California. The story begins with high school student Casey Becker who is alone at home when she receives a call from an unidentified person. The conversation starts off innocent enough, discussing horror movies, but quickly takes a dark turn as the caller becomes sadistic and threatens her life. To make matters worse, the caller reveals that Casey’s boyfriend Steve is being held captive on her patio. In order to save his life, the caller demands that Casey answer horror movie trivia questions correctly. Unfortunately, one wrong answer about Friday the 13th leads to Steve’s demise. Despite her attempts to escape, Casey falls victim to someone dressed in a ‘Ghostface’ costume. As news media swarms the town and the police open an investigation, teenager Sidney Prescott grapples with upcoming first anniversary of her mother Maureen’s brutal rape and murder at the hands of Cotton Weary.

As a result of the trauma, she is unable to consummate her relationship with Billy Loomis. With her father Neil away on business, Sidney is left home alone until her best friend Tatum Riley arrives. However, things take a terrifying turn when she receives a call taunting her about Maureen’s death and is subsequently attacked by Ghostface. Her fear intensifies when the killer disappears right before Billy enters through her window. Suspicions arise when he drops a cell phone and is promptly arrested by Deputy Sheriff Dewey Riley, Tatum’s brother. At the police station, investigative journalist Gale Weathers confronts Sidney with shocking allegations regarding Maureen’s affairs, including one with Cotton who was wrongly accused of her murder. Seeking refuge at Tatum’s residence, Sidney receives another call from the killer which ultimately leads to Neil’s phone being traced as the source. Despite this breakthrough, the police are unable to locate him.