Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS for Scream (2022) ahead!
With 2022's death of David Arquette's Dewey Riley. It's a bittersweet ending to the iconic character's story, and an interesting way to subvert the Scream formula, whether it be earned or not.
The lovably goofy Dewey Riley has been a staple of the Scream series since the first entry in 1996 and has found himself in many near-death situations in each of the four films prior to 2022's latest entry in the iconic horror franchise. Dewey has been through a lot over the course of the series, from being stabbed to being beat over the head, only narrowly escaping death with each ing Scream film. It's a darkly hilarious bit of irony on the part of legendary horror director Wes Craven and was always a welcome part of the Scream formula in its own weird way.
With 2022's Scream, however, Dewey's luck has finally run out, as the fan-favorite character was slain by Ghostface for good this time. While Dewey's death does serve a purpose to Scream's narrative and commentary on the "requel" craze in Hollywood, it's somewhat odd that this choice was made, as it not only takes a beloved character off the board, but it subverts an important aspect of Craven's Scream formula. After everything that Dewey has been through, to kill him off now proves to be a bit much, despite how well the film handles his shocking end.
A major theme of 2022's Scream is that of legacy, which is woven in the narrative of the film, as well as the real-life context of the film's production. The ing of Wes Craven in 2015 is very much felt with this latest entry in the franchise, as this is the first Scream film not directed by Craven. Not only does the film honor the legacy of Craven and the beloved world that he created, but also his iconic trio of characters that have persevered through all four of his Scream films, those being Sidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, and Dewey Riley.
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet of Ready or Not fame don't take their job lightly, understanding the craftsmanship and care that needs to be applied to successfully continue the franchise. The pair do a remarkable job in making sure both Wes Craven's legacy and the Scream legacy as a whole are preserved, which makes the choice to not let Dewey survive this time around feel all the more strange. It's a subversion of formula that mostly works within the perimeters of Scream's narrative and the signature meta-commentary of the franchise, and it is thankfully handled with precision and care. So while it still feels in line with what Craven would have wanted, it does ittedly feel like a step too far in some ways.
