The film is set in the fictional town of Woodsboro and follows the story of Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell), a high school student who becomes the target of a mysterious killer known as Ghostface.
The plot begins with the murder of Sidney’s mother, Maureen Prescott, which occurred a year prior to the events of the film. As the anniversary of her mother’s death approaches, Sidney finds herself stalked by a masked killer who taunts her with phone calls and menacing messages.
As the body count rises, Sidney and her friends, including her boyfriend Billy Loomis (played by Skeet Ulrich), her best friend Tatum Riley (played by Rose McGowan), and movie buff Randy Meeks (played by Jamie Kennedy), become embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the killer.
As the mystery unfolds, the group discovers that the killer is targeting them because of a dark secret from Sidney’s past. It is revealed that Sidney’s mother had an affair with Billy’s father, causing turmoil in both families.
In the climax of the film, the killer is unmasked as Billy and his friend Stu Macher (played by Matthew Lillard). They reveal that they are responsible for the murders and that their motive was to seek revenge on Sidney for her mother’s affair, as well as to recreate a real-life horror movie scenario.
In a dramatic showdown, Sidney manages to outsmart and ultimately defeat Billy and Stu, using her wits and resourcefulness to turn the tables on them. With the help of her friends and the local authorities, she survives the ordeal and emerges as the sole survivor of the massacre.
In the end, Sidney triumphs over the killer and begins to come to terms with the traumatic events that have unfolded. However, the terror is far from over, as the film ends with the ominous suggestion that the events in Woodsboro may inspire copycat killers in the future.
“Scream” is praised for its self-awareness, clever writing, and innovative approach to the slasher genre. It revitalized the horror genre in the 1990s and remains a beloved classic among fans for its suspenseful plot twists, memorable characters, and iconic mask-wearing killer.