Scream 6 Repeat Scream 2 Timeline Advantage

Scream 6 takes place just a year after 2022's Scream, similar to the gap between the first two films, which keeps the events fresh.

Spoiler Warning: This Article Contains Spoilers for Scream (2022)

Scream 6 shares a timeline advantage with Scream 2, as each film takes place just a year after its predecessor. This one-year gap is only the second time this has happened in the Scream series. The gap between Scream 2 and Scream 3 was two years, and the two subsequent entries were 11 years apart.

In Scream 2022, new protagonist Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) becomes the main survivor, joined by her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega) came in. Twin siblings Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding) also survived the encounter with Ghostface. All four return in Scream 6, along with Scream 4 survivor Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere).

Scream 6 Shares Scream 2's Real-World Timeline Benefit

Since the events of Scream in 2022 have only been a year away, the events of that film are still fresh in viewers' minds. This worked out well for Scream 2, as audiences felt like Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Gail Weathers (Courtney Cox), Dewey Riley (David Arquette) and Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) have been linked in a returning role. The timing also makes it even more shocking when Randy is suddenly killed by Ghostface and then Dewey seems to succumb to the machete before it was later discovered that he had survived.

Scream 2 is the first film in the series where it is determined that returning characters are not necessarily safe. This upped the stakes for Scream 3, but the trick didn't continue, and by Scream 4, audiences could again expect that Sidney, Gale, and Dewey might make it out alive. Dewey's death in Scream 2022 is undoubtedly influential, but it comes after Dewey has already survived multiple encounters with Ghostface.

How Scream 6 Can Use This Timeline Advantage

As audiences learn more about returning characters, the stakes will be raised again for Scream 6. The film's trailer has already suggested that Mindy Meeks-Martin may meet the same fate as her uncle Randy. However, directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Taylor Gillette may have anticipated the presumption.

One way Scream 6 could upend these expectations is by revealing that Jenna Ortega's Tara Carpenter is now the real protagonist, not Sam. After appearing on Ti West's X and Tim Burton's hugely successful Wednesday series, Ortega has grown into an even bigger star since the release of Scream 2022. As Ortega hinted, she will play a bigger role in it For a sequel, maybe Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett decide to capitalize on her new star power. Making Tara the main character could also help address the issue of Sam being Billy Loomis' daughter. The ending of Scream suggested Sam was unhinged, and Scream 6 could end up getting involved.