This article contains spoilers for Scream VI (2023)
The Scream franchise keeps going strong after six installments, a TV series, and 27 years in the market. Whether it's due to the love for its iconic film girl, Sidney Prescott, its mockery of its own genre, or the plot twists that accompany each sequel, Scream's longevity is the result of its originality and creativity. Scream (2022) paved the way for the franchise's survival moving forward, introducing a new final girl, Sam Carpenter, a modern group of supporting characters, and an appropriate farewell for legacy survivors. Scream 6 takes the reign of what its predecessor established, and gives audiences one of the bloodiest Scream sequels ever, reintroducing legacy characters while expanding on its newest heroes. Here are Scream 6's best and worst characters.
20 Bodega Clerk - Best
Sometimes New Yorkers get a terrible reputation for being uncaring. The Bodega Clerk defies this misconception despite his short screen time. When Sam and Tara run into the bodega while being chased by Ghostface, this clerk doesn't lose any time, pulling out his shotgun meanwhile, giving Sam and Tara the cue to escape through the bodega's back exit. Unfortunately, this clerk meets his untimely demise with his own weapon when Ghostface turns the tables on him.
19 Brooks - Worst
The main problem with Brooks is that he is never fully developed past his one scene in Gale's luxurious condo, and he has perhaps two lines before Ghostface ends his life. Brooks comes across as yet another fixture in Gale's materialistic, self-serving life. Brooks is also competing against the memory of Dewey Riley, a fan-favorite and Gale's only known true love.
18 Dr. Christopher Stone - Worst
Therapists aren't usually depicted in the best light, or remotely accurate, in movies. Dr. Christopher Stone comes across as anything but a sympathetic character. After the traumatizing events of Scream (2022), Sam Carpenter decides to get professional help, seemingly going through a series of therapists before resorting to Stone. While Stone is at first attentive, his demeanor quickly changes when Sam gives him the specifics of her family history and past relationship with Richie. His inability to try to understand Sam, along with his immediate dismissal of her, makes him one of Scream 6's most unlikable and flat characters.
17 Anika - Best
Mindy's new girlfriend, Anika, manages to stand out on her own despite Mindy's bigger-than-life personality. Anika is funny, charismatic, and isn't afraid to say exactly what's on her mind for the sake of others, as so happens when she intervenes between Tara and Frankie during the Halloween costume party. Anika seems like Mindy's perfect match, and they would have been endgame had it not been for Ghostface. Nevertheless, Anika dies heroically as she forces Mindy to escape first during their Ghostface attack, sealing her own fate in the process. Anika's death hurt fans all across the board.
16 Ethan - Worst
Similarly to Brooks, Ethan's biggest setback is his underdeveloped character. Introduced as Chad's nerdy, insecure roommate, Ethan goes with the flow of everyone around him, and is constantly mistrusted by Mindy despite his bumbling behavior. Ethan seems to finally get himself off the suspect list when Mindy is attacked on the subway, making it improbable that he's Ghostface himself. In a surprise plot twist, it's revealed that Mindy's horror knowledge skills were on point after all, as Ethan is one of the three Ghostface killers bent on revenge after his brother Richie's death. Perhaps that's the most glaring problem with Ethan; unlike his older brother, who was a sinister and nuanced Ghostface killer, Ethan is simply a puppet in his father's master scheme to get revenge on Sam. In the long list of prior Ghostface killers, Ethan is as forgettable as his few one-liners to Sam and Tara during the film's final act.
15 Laura - Best
Samara Weaving is a modern Scream Queen, and she always delivers a chilling performance regardless of her screen time in a horror flick. In Scream 6, she portrays Laura, a horror film studies professor Greg and Jason have a bone to pick with. While Laura is only onscreen for a few minutes before being killed by Jason, she is a compelling character. Laura knows the horror genre like the palm of her hand, she offers a fresh take on the genre, and notably, she is relatable in her enthusiasm and nervousness over a blind date. Had she been spared instead of serving as the film's opening kill, Laura would have made an excellent addition to Scream's new wave of exciting characters.
14 Frankie - Worst
Frankie doesn't have to be a Ghostface to be terrible; he accomplishes that by simply being himself. Another student at Blackmore University, Frankie exhibits all the qualities of a predator; he strikes up a conversation with Tara during her drunken state, he preys on her lowered inhibitions, and he attempts to take advantage of her. What makes Frankie so despicable is his utter lack of remorse; Frankie sees no problem in trying to have sex with Tara while she is under the influence.
13 Danny - Best
Unlike Richie, Danny defies the expectations of horror movies as a prime suspect. First introduced as Sam and Tara's brooding neighbor who shares a strong physical attraction with Sam, it is later revealed he's Sam's secret boyfriend, and as a default, a suspect on Mindy's list of potential Ghostface killers. Nevertheless, Danny proves himself an understanding and reliable partner all throughout the film, helping Sam and Mindy escape from one of their many Ghostface attacks, and putting Sam's needs before his own every time. Danny even manages to come to the rescue one last time with reinforcements after Sam and Tara face off against Bailey, Quinn, and Ethan. It'll be exciting to see how this character is further developed in upcoming Scream installments.
12 Gale Weathers - Worst
Scream (2022) managed to humanize Gale in a way no other Scream sequel had prior; Gale experienced a significant loss for the first time in her life, Dewey, and she takes action based on her pain, avenging Dewey and seemingly learning an important lesson about ethics, promising to not write a book about Richie and Amber's rampage and potentially honoring Dewey's memory instead. All this character development is disregarded in Scream 6, reverting Gale's character arc to instead portray her usual, self-serving personality. Not only does Gale write a book about the 2021 Woodsboro murders, she also exposes Sam's family history, and seems to have exploited every angle of her near-death experience against Richie and Amber. Nevertheless, Gale has one very touching moment during her first-ever phone call with Ghostface, expressing her pain over Dewey's passing. That aside, Gale is anything but a likable character in this Scream installment.
11 Chad - Best
Mindy's twin brother and the nephew of fan-favorite, Randy Meeks, Chad was a pleasant addition to Scream (2022), and a character with potential for growth. Scream 6 delivers a developed Chad in the best of ways. Inarguably the glue of the Core Four survivors from Woodsboro, Chad is the nurturing member of the group, defying the usual characteristics of jock film characters. Notably, he is always watching out for Tara, whether it's by making a regretful decision at college parties, offering her comfort throughout their harrowing Ghostface ordeal, or risking his life to protect hers. Chad goes down as a fan-favorite by the end of Scream 6, and fortunately survives his second Ghostface attack.
10 Quinn - Worst
Unlike her brother, Ethan, Quinn gets considerably more dialogue and character development. First introduced as Sam and Tara's roommate in the big apple, Quinn comes across as a well-meaning, harmless, and sexually empowered young woman, trying to deal with the aftermath of her deceased brother and her father's overprotective nature. When Quinn suddenly dies during one of Ghostface's attacks, it seems it'll be the last she'll be seen onscreen. Lo and behold, Quinn is actually one of the three Ghostface killers targeting Sam and Tara, having staged her own death with her father's help. While Quinn's motives are no more unique than that of Mrs. Loomis, she still inspires terror as she reveals her truly sadistic nature, reveling in attacking Mindy and Gale before revealing herself as a Ghostface killer.
9 Kirby - Best
Scream 4 received a mixed reception all across the board. Some Scream fans loved its modern take on the franchise, and others found it underwhelming compared to its predecessors. Nevertheless, one unanimous opinion was the love for Kirby Reed, Jill's best friend who is left for dead after Charlie attacks her. For years, fans demanded her return in a Scream sequel, and when Scream (2022) released, this wish came true as Kirby's survival is revealed in an Easter egg. Following Scream (2022)'s box office success, Hayden Panettiere confirmed her return to the franchise in Scream 6. This adult version of Kirby is different from the 2011 character, but nonetheless still as lovable. Now part of the Georgia FBI agent unit, Kirby is skilled at her job, quickly making her way to New York City upon learning of the new string of Ghostface attacks. Kirby matches Bailey's investigative skills, all while offering moral support for Sam and Tara during their time of need. Of course, Kirby is a fan-favorite due to her survival skills, and she proves herself one step ahead of the Ghostface killers by wearing a bullet-proof vest, and lastly, delivering Ethan the final blow as he makes a last-minute reemergence in Scream fashion.
8 Richie Kirsch - Worst
Richie Kirsch isn't a fan-favorite for countless reasons. He manipulated and killed throughout all of Scream (2022) for the most absurd motive in the franchise: toxic fandom. Scream 6 expands on Richie's history, both introducing fans to his family and his filmmaking roots. Bailey elaborates on Richie's love for the Stab franchise, and how it leads to him making his own home movies to honor it. Richie's cameo reiterates that he was a psychotic, irredeemable villain from the start.
7 Mindy - Best
Mindy is the modern-day Randy, and just like her deceased uncle, her knowledge of the horror genre is on point, but Mindy is so much more than a film geek riddled with engaging monologue sequences. While Scream (2022) introduced Mindy, Scream 6 expands and humanizes her in a way that audiences are on the edge of their seats anytime Mindy is in danger; her survival is a must. Some of Mindy's most emotive moments include her relationship with Anika, which ends with a goodbye kiss as Anika sacrifices herself to give Mindy the time to escape, and the iconic subway sequence, where Ghostface blends into the shadows, lurking up to Mindy as she watches her impending attack in horror.
6 Detective Wayne Bailey - Worst
Detective Wayne Bailey really is the most unassuming Ghostface; he delivers his ruse with such credibility that audiences can easily disregard him as nothing more than a mediocre cop. Bailey orchestrates his Ghostface agenda well, transferring to the New York City branch to keep tabs on Sam and Tara, faking Quinn's death through his job influence, and lastly, by trapping the group in Richie's Ghostface shrine. While Bailey's entire execution is seemingly flawless, his big reveal comes across as underwhelming compared to Richie's. Similarly to Mrs. Loomis, Bailey is outlined as a grieving parent bent on revenge, but ends up coming across as a cartoonish villain, driven by his own insanity more than anything. Bailey lacks the nuances of other Ghostfaces before him.
5 Tara - Best
Jenna Ortega is one of the most coveted performers of her generation. Ortega has shined in horror projects such as X, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, and Netflix's Wednesday, earning her the title of a modern-day Scream Queen. In Scream 6, Jenna Ortega returns as Tara Carpenter, the deuteragonist of the film who is navigating the aftermath of her Ghostface attacks. Unlike her half-sister, Sam, Tara refuses to get therapy to cope with her trauma, instead ignoring it and trying to lead a normal life. Tara is the perfect blend of legacy characters such as Sidney and Kirby, meanwhile maintaining her own individuality. While Tara is relegated to a victim laying in a hospital bed throughout most of Scream (2022), Scream 6 has audiences following a survivor trying to move on with her life despite her troubling Woodsboro history. Just like every other Scream heroine, Tara can't outrun Ghostface for too long, and faces off against Scream 6's Ghostface trio in a battle to the death. Fortunately, Tara demonstrates that her experiences have hardened her to the point where a few stabs don't deter her from delivering her own, lethal blow to Ethan when the time comes.
4 Jason - Worst
No one likes receiving a low grade in school, especially when it's a subject close to one's heart--but Jason takes scholarly dissatisfaction to a whole new level. In what makes for one of the most creative Scream openings to date, Jason reveals himself as the Ghostface behind his professor's alleyway attack. This soon proves to be a diversion from the real Ghostface, who calls Jason and starts taunting him on the whereabouts of his roommate and accomplice, Greg. Jason's motives are contrived and borderline incredulous, but, Jason is a truly disturbing character nonetheless. Jason relishes as he recounts killing Laura, and describes the joy he felt as he saw her bleed to death; Jason definitely had the ruthlessness required to carry forward as a Ghostface killer.
3 Sam - Best
Sidney Prescott is a hard final girl to replace; she's actually irreplaceable. That doesn't mean there isn't room for a new final girl to take the torch after Neve Campbell's departure from the franchise. Melissa Barrera's Sam Carpenter is a unique take on the final girl archetype, offering a refreshing spin on the Scream franchise. The illegitimate daughter of Billy Loomis, Sam deals with hallucinations of her deceased father coupled with her troubled family history. While Sam is a victim of circumstance in Scream (2022), overshadowed by legacy and new characters alike, Scream 6 truly solidifies Sam as Scream's titular protagonist. Sam has a slew of problems to deal with as she and Tara attempt a new life in New York City; she deals with the trauma of almost being killed by her boyfriend, she deals with her turbulent relationship with Tara, and she experiences the collective harassment and hatred of conspiracy theorists online. All these problems are in addition to becoming Ghostface's prime target once again, finding herself unable to trust anyone. This time around, Sam takes charge of her situation, keeping up with Ghostface through their every attack and finally donning her father's Ghostface outfit to defeat Bailey in one of the most satisfying kills in the franchise.
2 Billy - Worst
The Scream franchise always finds a way to tie its Ghostface killers back to the original: Billy Loomis. This usually works in favor of the plot, elaborating on legacy's ill effects on impressionable fans or disturbed loved ones. Scream 6 uses Billy Loomis' legacy in a... farcical fashion. While Sam's mental illness is an established characteristic of hers, seeing her deceased father is a redundant and unnecessary part of her character; Sam's everyday actions already show how her family history had shaped her life. Billy returning as a hallucination lessens the film's credibility and overall momentum.
1 Ghostface - Best
Ghostface is as synonymous with the Scream franchise as Sidney Prescott herself. Scream 6 gives audiences the deadliest and most menacing incarnation of the character; no one seems off limits to this particular Ghostface. From breaking entries, stalking their victims on the subway, to delivering the most gruesome deaths in a Scream movie, this Ghostface is out for blood. Combined with the lethality of this Ghostface is the Ghostface masks, beaten, aged, and gritty. True to their name, this villain feels like the ghost of every Scream villain ever.