Jimmy Tatro Steals The Show In Scream 7’s Opening Scene

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Warning! Spoilers ahead for Scream 7.

The Scream movies are famous for their strong opening scenes, and even though Scream 7 has some obvious problems, its opening is one of the best in the whole series. The first Scream movie quickly became a classic, largely because of its incredibly memorable opening sequence.

Okay, so the movie Scream starts with this really tense scene. Drew Barrymore’s character, Casey, is home by herself, waiting for her boyfriend. Then the phone rings, and at first, the guy on the other end seems pretty normal, just making small talk. But things quickly get terrifying – he starts threatening to hurt her boyfriend if she can’t answer a bunch of horror movie questions. It’s a brilliant way to kick off the whole film, honestly!

The opening scene of Scream was a brilliant introduction to everything the franchise would become. It immediately established the series’ playful, self-aware style, referencing the film When a Stranger Calls and even including a playful question about Jason Voorhees’ mother. The scene expertly mixed comedy and suspense, seamlessly blending funny lines, physical humor, and genuinely frightening moments.

The film immediately surprised viewers by introducing Drew Barrymore, a major star at the time, only to quickly kill her off, mirroring the shocking death of Janet Leigh in Psycho. This tactic of starting with a suspenseful, funny, and scary scene has become a signature of the Scream movies, though the results have varied over time.

The opening kill in Scream 2, which took place at the premiere of the movie Stab and was met with cheers from horror fans as Maureen Evans was murdered, was a strong continuation of the first film. However, the opening scene in Scream VI, where the killer uses catfishing, feels typical and isn’t very memorable. Despite its other problems, Scream 7 starts with a particularly strong and exciting scene.

Scream 7’s Opening Scene Is One Of The Franchise’s Best

While Scream 7 has a fantastic opening, the movie overall is disappointing. It lacks both humor and genuine scares, the plot twist doesn’t make much sense, and the much-anticipated return of Stu Macher doesn’t deliver.

The new movie, Scream 7, starts at the house from the original Scream, where the final, violent events took place. Now an Airbnb, the house is decorated with items from the Stab movies (the films within the Scream universe), including posters and Ghostface figures, and even has chalk outlines mimicking the murder scenes. A fan of the Stab films named Scott, played by Jimmy Tatro, is staying there with his girlfriend, Madison, played by Michelle Randolph.

A creepy prank call sets the stage, but it’s actually planned by the homeowners—leading them to request an online review. Then, the new Ghostface appears and brutally kills the couple, setting their house on fire. It’s a fantastic opening sequence with a complete story arc of its own.

Turning Stu’s House Into A Macabre Tourist Attraction Is A Classic Scream Gag

Turning Stu Macher’s house into a tourist attraction is a perfect example of what makes the Scream movies so clever. It’s a knowing nod to the original film’s ending, looking at it from a step-back perspective, and it’s also a bit of a playful joke. The Scream series has always used the murders within the story to poke fun at our real-life fascination with true crime, starting with the movie-within-a-movie preview in the first sequel.

Turning Stu Macher’s house from the Scream movies into a spooky Airbnb, where guests can live out their own horror movie experience, playfully comments on our culture’s obsession with true crime and how easily it can be turned into a profit. It’s a funny, over-the-top take on the idea of making money from morbid interests.

Jimmy Tatro Is Hilarious As A Stab Movie Fanatic

Randolph delivers a convincing performance as the terrified Ghostface victim, forced to confront her deepest fears. However, Tatro truly shines in this scene, hilariously portraying a devoted fan of the Stab movies who’s excitedly taking selfies at a famous murder site, and eagerly trying to get his girlfriend involved in the fun.

Tatro truly shines in this single scene, which isn’t surprising given his talent. He’s consistently stolen the show in films like 22 Jump Street, Theater Camp, and You’re Cordially Invited. He also memorably played a potential love interest for Alex on Modern Family, even though their relationship didn’t ultimately work out.

Scream 7’s Cold Open Is Mostly Self-Contained, But It Sets Up The Movie’s Main Mystery

The beginning of Scream 7, like many opening scenes in the Scream movies, feels like a standalone short horror film. However, it also introduces the central mystery of the movie: a suggestion that Stu, the villain from the first Scream, might have actually survived being hit with a television.

For the rest of the film, Scream 7 leads the audience to wonder if Stu, a character previously thought to be dead, might actually return. There are even reports he calls Sidney several times. However, the movie ultimately reveals that the appearances of Stu in the present were created using a highly realistic deepfake technology. While Stu doesn’t come back to life, the opening scene initially suggests this possibility.

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2026-03-04 19:10