As a seasoned horror enthusiast who’s spent countless nights huddled under the covers with only a flashlight for company, I must say that Jill’s character in Scream 4 is nothing short of intriguing. Her subtle mimicry of Sydney, her bitter resentment towards the iconic survivor, and her desire for viral fame all point to a killer who’s not just a masked maniac but a complex, driven individual.
The Scream movie series boasts numerous impressive films, standing out as one of the top horror movie franchises due to its limited number of disappointments. Among them, Scream and Scream 4 are my personal favorites, and I consider these two movies to be the finest in the entire film series. Despite having only watched Scream 4 a single time, it instantly left a lasting impression on me as one of my favorites.
For years, I’ve been contemplating whether to rewatch it again to see if it could match the enjoyment and thrill of my initial viewing experience. I am pleased to report that revisiting Scream 4 was just as engaging and even more enjoyable the second time around. Upon rewatching, I picked up on several details about the Ghostface character that I had missed before.
Warning: Scream 4 SPOILERS are ahead. Proceed with caution.
Kirby Spoils The Twist In The First Few Minutes
In the opening sequence of “Scream 4”, Kirby (played by Hayden Panettiere) arrives at Jill’s (Emma Roberts) location and expresses concern about her not slaying her, apparently a friendly remark between them given their discussion about Jill’s unfaithful ex-boyfriend, Trevor (Nico Tortorella). Looking back, it becomes clear that this was “Scream 4” subtly revealing the identity of the killer.
Not only does it hint that Jill doesn’t end up killing Kirby, but Charlie (Rory Culkin) stabs her instead, leaving her alive for a comeback in Scream 6. The revelation of Jill as the killer early on in the movie demonstrates the clever plot twists we’ve come to anticipate from the Scream series.
The Film Makes It Clear That It Will Break The Rules
In the Scream movies, many (or most) include a segment discussing the conventions of horror films. Horror movie aficionados typically deliver speeches outlining these horror movie norms. In Scream 4, Charlie and Robbie (Erik Knudsen) are the self-proclaimed connoisseurs of horror flicks. During their conversation with the film club, they discuss how a remake differs from the original film by highlighting instances where they break the rules initially set in the first movie.
As a gamer diving into Scream 4, I thought it was skillfully mimicking the original Scream, with new characters that felt reminiscent of the old crew. Charlie, for instance, gave off strong Randy (Jamie Kennedy) vibes, while Jill seemed like a fresh take on Sydney. The familiarity made me believe I had this one figured out – just more of the same Scream, but with a new cast. However, Scream 4 had a trick up its sleeve. When it came to revealing Ghostface’s identity, it threw me for a loop, leaving me questioning everything I thought I knew about the movie. It was a clever twist that reminded me why I love the Scream series – because nothing is ever quite as it seems!
In my opinion, I thought “Scream 4” might pave the way for what “Scream 5” eventually turned out to be – a reboot of the series featuring fresh characters. However, it ended up serving more as a traditional sequel since Sydney continued as the ultimate final girl.
After discovering that the rules were being flouted, I found myself less inclined to rely on my gut feelings with these characters. The movie Scream 4 seems to imply that Trevor is the murderer, as he fits into the new role of Billy Loomis (played by Skeet Ulrich). However, Jill, Charlie, and the screenwriter Kevin Williamson of Scream 4 work together to deceive both the characters within the film and the viewers. They deliberately lead us to anticipate the predictable.
It’s only when I relax the guidelines from the initial three Scream movies that I start to understand Jill’s role in everything.
Scream 4 Makes It Obvious The Killer Is A Stab Fanatic From The Beginning
In the initial instalment of this follow-up, we see three women with similar hair colors being killed off. Two of these deaths are depicted within movie scenes, while the last one takes place in reality within Woodsboro. This final murder seems to pay tribute to the two murders portrayed in the Stab films, suggesting that whoever is responsible may be attempting to mimic or honor these movies.
During their discussion with the film class, Charlie and Robbie note that the murderer appears to be a fan of the “Stab” movie series, given its widespread popularity among teenagers in this fictional world. However, it’s essential to exclude anyone who hasn’t seen these films. Those deeply invested in them, though, might seem suspicious. We know Charlie is an avid fan and Jill watches them occasionally. Thus, Charlie, Robbie, Jill, Kirby, and Trevor emerge as potential suspects due to their fondness for the “Stab” franchise.
The insights gleaned from the enthusiasts of “Stab” series could be a significant hint suggesting either Charlie or Robbie might be linked to these killings. Yet, it’s important to note that the principles governing the “Scream” franchise do not necessarily hold true for “Scream 4”. During my first watch, I instinctively believed Charlie was harmless, expecting him to follow a trajectory similar to Randy, either becoming another Ghostface victim or surviving like one of the few remaining characters.
Had I given greater heed to the “warning signs” speech, I would have harbored a stronger sense of suspicion towards individuals who appeared harmless, such as Charlie, in the seemingly innocent group of film enthusiasts.
Jill Often Mirrors Sydney
One of the most amusing parts in “Scream 4” occurs when Jill, following her self-inflicted injuries, lies on the floor in a comical manner. What makes this scene even more humorous is when she positions herself next to what she believes is the lifeless Sydney and imitates her posture. This is the moment where it becomes clear that Jill aspires to emulate Sydney in a straightforward manner.
When it’s clear that Jill is the culprit, you start noticing her frequent resemblance to Sydney. For instance, she deliberately adopts a similar style as Sydney. She even attempts to mimic Sydney’s signature innocence and demeanor. Remarkably, her speech patterns sometimes echo the way Sydney speaks.
In one particular moment, you’ll find Jill and Sydney engaged in conversation, and I catch Jill subtly mirroring Sydney’s gestures. She does this by standing a certain way, folding her arms, and making similar facial expressions. It wasn’t until my second watch of Scream 4 that I managed to spot it.
One factor contributing to Jill’s intrigue as a Ghostface killer is her relentless determination and ambition to take on the role of the new Sydney.
Ghostface Clearly Shows Resentment Towards Sydney in Scream 4
In their initial call, Sydney senses a tense atmosphere with the latest Ghostface. Previous versions of this character were often jovial during their chats with Sydney. However, this time it appears there’s a hidden animosity or even envy from this Ghostface towards Sydney, making the game less entertaining for them.
It appears that this Ghostface character seems to harbor a deep grudge, which isn’t unusual. But it’s more about malice rather than seeking revenge. This Ghostface seems offended by Sydney’s very existence, not just what she has done. Compared to other Ghostfaces, this one comes across as more immature and vindictive in their initial conversation with Sydney. This becomes clearer once we learn about Jill’s reasons for the killings.
This Ghostface’s Desire To Go Viral Eliminates Some Suspects
In simpler terms, Charlie and Robbie assist Sydney and Gale (Courteney Cox) in understanding that the murderer aims to become internet famous. This sheds light on Robbie since he records everything. Yet, the crucial insight gained is that the murderer might be one of the teenagers. At a certain point, Officer Judy Hicks (Marley Shelton) experiences being misdirected as a potential killer.
Teenagers (specifically their generation) are fixated on becoming internet sensations. Hicks, however, doesn’t appear to fit the profile of Ghostface unless she harbors secret aspirations for viral fame that have not been mentioned. This aspect led me to suspect that Ghostface in Scream 4 must be someone associated with the younger generation.
The Opening Scenes Give A Lot Away, Including That There Will Be Two Ghostface Killers
As a die-hard fan, I must say, the initial sequences, brimming with chilling murders, subtly hint at something intriguing. The primary clue lies in the fact that it appears we might be dealing with not one, but two Ghostface killers. In the first act, we witness two girls being slain, a fact that, while not entirely surprising given the dual-killer pattern common in the Scream series, still deserves mention.
In essence, these trios of murders suggest three women who appear strikingly similar. They share physical attributes and hair styles, which may imply that Jill is attempting to clone Sydney by assuming her new identity. The scene featuring Kristen Bell and Anna Paquin in Stab concludes with Bell murdering Paquin. This unexpected twist serves as a suggestion that the killer might be someone we least suspect. The humorous aspect lies in Bell’s motivation for killing – it’s due to annoyance, but it could also be another subtle hint from Kevin Williamson about the unfolding events.
In a more casual and engaging manner: “Scream 4 is hands down one of the best Scream films out there! What makes it even better is that it subtly suggests Jill as the killer, which adds an exciting layer of mystery to the movie. To top it off, Scream 4 stands tall among the greatest slasher movies ever produced.
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2024-10-14 18:07