Scream (1996) - Postmodernism

Figure 1. Movie poster (1996)

Scream is a 1996 mystery/ slasher film directed by Wes Craven. In the film a young, teenage girl is gruesomely murdered, sparking more murders throughout the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. In the film the characters are unaware that the killer has been living among them, slowly finding ways to kill the victims.

Throughout the film references to other horror movies are made such as Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. 


How does Scream relate to Postmodernism:


Aestheticization of violence - Throughout the film, Wes Craven focuses on the violence of the murders committed. A variety of shots are used throughout the film to show the murders after they have happened and during. 

Figure 2. Murder of Steve

Figure 3. Murder of Casey

Hyper realism - Scream can be seen as realistic as the film was set in the present day (1996) when it was released, but it can also be seen as hyper realistic. This is as the murders and the quantity of murders taking place would be very unlikely. The murders were also conducted by two teenagers (Stu and Billy) who are obsessed with horror movies which would make it more believable that they'd understand the ways to conduct the murders, but this does not mean that they actual would. 

Figure 4. Stu and Billy

Intertextuality - In the film references are made to a lot of other horror movies and characters also explain the steps in horror movies and what is likely to happen afterwards. Subsequently, once each step is explained from other horror movies, a scene is shown of two characters opposing what has been said. For example, in the film Randy explains that the number one rule is "Don't have sex" then a scene is shown suggesting that Sidney and Billy have just had intercourse.

Linear narrative - The film has a linear story line, meaning that I unfolds as though it is in real time and does not have flash backs or flash forwards. 

Creativity - Wes Craven uses the phone calls throughout the film very creatively. This is as using the phone has never been shown in a horror movie before so it was able to create more tension and worry in the audience. 




Illustrations:

Figure 1. (1996) Movie poster. https://www.postercollector.co.uk/scream-1996-uk-quad/

Figure 2. Murder of Steve. https://warrenisweird.com/tag/scream/

Figure 3. Murder of Casey. https://warrenisweird.com/tag/scream/

Figure 4. Stu and Billy. https://scream.fandom.com/wiki/Stu_Macher