Eleven years after Scream 4 was released in 2011, the newest scream movie is now screening in cinemas across Northern Ireland. Scream is a sequel set to live up to the standards of its predecessors whilst meeting the expectations of its fans.

The franchise, born in the 90s, features a new storyline whereby a new killer puts on the Ghostface mask to wreak havoc in the town of Woodsboro, California. Staying true to the franchise, the new Scream film welcomes legacy characters Sidney Prescott, Dewey Riley and Gale Weathers played by Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox. Even Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) makes a reappearance as he haunts his daughter, in an unexpected twist.

To keep the storyline fresh and appealing to new viewers, new actors join the cast, and in doing so, bring the story to life. Main actors Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid and Mikey Madison star as Sam Carpenter, Tara Carpenter, Richie Kirsch and Amber Freeman. Despite these new faces, Dewey Riley’s storyline could have been extended so the audience could witness his expertise in fighting Ghostface and his developing relationship with Gale Weathers.

This new Scream pays homage to the fictional series of the Stab slasher movies by including references to the ‘newest’ Stab 8 and using it as the reason behind the bloodshed. As Stab 8 disappointed many superfans, Amber Freeman, who was obsessed with the franchise after moving into 261 Turner Lane, plotted to create a “requel”. However, as any fan of the Scream franchise knows, the killer rarely acts alone. Amber connects with another disappointed superfan, Richie Kirsch, online and together they put the plan into motion on the 25th anniversary of the Woodsboro Murders.

Riddled with satire, Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett know how to carefully revamp a franchise for a new generation of horror fans. As fans are aware of common Scream traits, the way Jack Quaid portrays the character of Richie as he cares for Sam and Tara’s safety, keeps the audience guessing until the very last minute regardless of their gut instincts.

Although the special effects create an eerie atmosphere where viewers expect the unexpected and violence is gruesomely graphic, (like in the scene of Wes Hicks’ death), the unpredictability of the 4DX viewing experience is what put the horror back into Scream.

In terms of the viewing experience, Cineworld at the SSE Arena in Belfast allows fans to watch Scream in 4DX. Described as an ‘immersive multi-sensory cinematic experience’, 4DX has stimulating effects such as water, wind, scent, and strobe lighting paired with a moving seat. For a genre like horror, built on the physical sensations of thrill and adrenaline it brings, 4DX adds a whole other element to the viewing experience.

4DX isn’t as expensive as cinema-goers may expect, considering the enhanced screening experience. For students who are not Cineworld members, the ticket price is £12.69, which is £4.70 more than the standard 2D student ticket which is priced at £7.99.

On one hand, for those die-hard fans of Scream, the 4DX can bring the element of the unexpected: especially when fans will likely know when the killer will strike. However, for viewers who aren’t as aware of the traits of this production, 4DX can be a distracting novelty that can impact their concentration on the film. Will 4DX truly change your viewing experience of Scream? The answer is completely dependent on the viewer.

Whether you are familiar with the franchise of Scream or not, this new edition is for everyone. Its smart, absorbing storyline is a homage to its roots and creates a worthy opponent to the 1996 original.

Holly Fleck is a Culture and Health and Lifestyle reporter for The Scoop and a Journalism student at Ulster University.

Scream in 4DX: a sensory homage to the beloved horror franchise