The Scariest Ghostface Phone Calls in the SCREAM Film Franchise

Following several years of recognition and evaluation, there’s little doubt that the 1996 release of Scream has firmly established itself as a timeless horror classic. This teen slasher movie skillfully revitalized familiar genre elements such as self-referential dialogue and conventional plotlines by weaving them into the poignant narrative of Sidney Prescott. From the opening sequence with Casey Becker’s tragic encounter with the infamous Ghostface, it was evident that this film transcended the usual low-budget gorefests. It left an indelible mark on audiences through its iconic phone calls, scenes, and memorable catchphrases.

A Glorious Guide to the SCREAM Universe

Ever since that chilling encounter, I’ve come to expect a certain thrill when it comes to the Scream series – the nerve-wracking tradition of characters getting a call from Ghostface. The phrase “Hello Sidney!” might seem casual, but it carries an electrifying weight. Despite their occasional humor, these phone conversations are genuinely spine-tingling and unnerving at heart.

In the movie Scream, there are numerous Ghostface phone calls, but these are the most terrifying ones within the series.

In order to maintain consistency, I’ll be referring to Ghostface as a male character throughout this discussion, even though the identity beneath the mask isn’t definitively known. This is because Ghostface functions as an individual within the storyline, and it simplifies our conversation to use one gender pronoun consistently.

If You Hang Up on Me, You’ll Die Just Like Your Mother! (Scream 1996)

As a devoted cinephile, my first brush with the chilling figure known as Ghostface sends shivers down my spine from the get-go. The casual tone of that mysterious voice on the phone sets every hair on my arm on end. While Sidney finds it somewhat appealing, I can’t help but recall the tragic tale of Casey Becker – a grim reminder of the gruesome spectacle that awaits.

The phone call veers between playful inquiries and mocking horror clichés, leaving me guessing whether my horror-loving buddy Randy is pulling a prank. However, as Sidney ponders the possibility, I can’t shake off the chilling feeling that something far from amusing lurks behind the seemingly innocent banter.

As a movie reviewer, I found myself taken aback when the playful banter between characters abruptly transformed into a chilling threat: “If you hang up on me, you’ll die just like your mother!” This stark shift in tone left me, as Sid, reeling with a whirlwind of emotions. Upon further reflection, this moment marked the beginning of an unsettling yet intriguing phone relationship between myself and Ghostface throughout the franchise. The calls were laced with taunts, threats, sarcastic remarks, and painful emotional and verbal jabs that left me feeling both terrified and connected to this mysterious figure. This chilling encounter initiated my unfortunate bond with Ghostface.

Do You Think It’s Over, Sidney?! (Scream 3)

In a surprising twist, Scream 3, initially thought to be the conclusion of the trilogy, turned out to be quite an unusual ending. On one side, it presents a whimsical mystery reminiscent of Scooby Doo, featuring Gale, Dewey, and the cast from Stab 3. However, for Sidney, it’s a heart-wrenching journey where she grapples with her mental stability, is deeply scarred by past traumas, and begins to comprehend the tragic depth of her mother’s life.

Unpacking Maureen Prescott’s Devastating Story in SCREAM 3

The reason Ghostface’s phone call to her isolated ranch is so terrifying is because he knows about the emotional distress she has experienced since the events of Scream 2. This is shown by how she chooses to live alone, away from loved ones, like an Unabomber. Ghostface skillfully manipulates her emotions, pretending to be a victim seeking help at Sid’s job. However, the tone suddenly shifts when the voice on the line switches to that of her own mother, making her unsure about what is actually taking place in the present moment.

Sidney’s discovery that the phone call is meant for her personal line and a coincidental news broadcast about additional fatalities prompt her to emerge from seclusion and step into Roman’s sinister Hollywood setting. Although the voice-changing device may seem far-fetched in a movie released in 2000, it’s worth temporarily overlooking this improbability for the sake of this scene.

Randy Will Never Get the Girl (Scream 2)

Initially, Ghostface wasn’t supposed to make a telephone call until the sixth movie. However, in “Scream 2”, this cunning killer broke protocol by calling Gale’s cell phone. Unfortunately for Randy, who answered the call, it marked the beginning of his tragic end. From the outset, Ghostface kept Randy, Gale, and Dewey on constant alert.

Although Randy occasionally injects humor reminiscent of a horror movie enthusiast, such as labeling “Showgirls” as terrifying, Ghostface prefers to penetrate deeper and expose the underlying fear. The escalating anxiety, coupled with the eerie daylight presence of Ghostface’s voice, creates an unsettling atmosphere. Moreover, informing Randy that he will never be a hero nor gain Sid’s affection is like delivering a verbal wound before the physical one takes place.

Answer the Questions, Kirby! (Scream 4)

In simple terms, the scene in “Scream 4” where Ghostface confronts Kirby, a horror enthusiast, is particularly terrifying and intense. Prior to this encounter, Kirby was already on edge after witnessing Ghostface attack Charlie. Ghostface then proposes a real-life “Stab” movie scenario instead of just watching it. The villain asks rapid-fire questions about the killer’s weapons and even presents a multiple-choice question, causing Kirby to respond hurriedly out of fear. In the climax of this third act twist, Kirby lists various horror films, and Ghostface’s silence before revealing Charlie as the murderer is shocking.

This Isn’t a Fcking Movie! (Scream 4)**

Let’s linger on “Scream 4” for a bit longer. In this movie, Sidney has undergone a significant transformation compared to her previous portrayal. This change is particularly noticeable during this phone call. The fear she once had of the Ghostface killer no longer exists now that she’s found some release through writing about her life experiences. It’s clear that Sidney has moved from seeing herself as a victim to someone who takes control of her own story, even in the face of danger, as soon as she calmly answers the phone with just “What?

The intensity of this call is Ghostface’s highly personal and toxic anger over Sidney moving away from Woodsboro. It was undoubtedly Jill on the phone. Furthermore, “I’m going to slice your eyelids in half so you won’t blink when I stab you in the face,” is a truly creative and chilling remark.

In fact, the language in this Ghostface call is so wild that most YouTube videos are flagged.

Maybe You’re Too Weak for This Franchise… (Scream 2022)

As for the “reboot” of the Scream movies, this phone call takes the top spot without a doubt. In one of the deserted Woodsboro hospital wings, Ghostface lurks behind an injured Tara, a sight that makes you wonder where everyone has vanished to. Remarkably, it’s Sam who inadvertently rings Ghostface on Richie’s phone, even though he himself is Ghostface at that particular moment.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say, the moment Ghostface activates the voice modulator and presents Sam with the agonizing decision between her sister or Richie – that’s some clever plot twisting! And when Sam plays reverse Uno by admitting she feigned panic to buy time? Brilliant stuff. The way Ghostface sneers and threatens only adds to the chilling atmosphere, making it all the more intriguing to watch.

Do You Wanna Die Tonight, Cici? (Scream 2)

In Scream 2, the movie didn’t start off with a chilling phone call. Instead, Ghostface’s menacing voice messages were reserved for Sarah Michelle Gellar’s character, Cici Cooper. She’s a dedicated sorority sister who doubts that life mirrors art, but her disbelief is shattered when the Stab film plot literally invades her ear via a phone call. She longs for it to be just her casual, on-again, off-again boyfriend/fling Ted, but unfortunately, it isn’t. Cici and Ghostface engage in a rapid-fire exchange of questions, with his taunting remarks such as the ones below:

[Ghostface’s lines]
“This is when the fun begins, Cici,” he says, “You know what they say about sequels? They’re always better.”

“I’m your biggest fan,” Ghostface tells her, “And the best part about sequels? They never disappoint.”

“Remember Rule #5: Never have sex in a horror movie!” he warns her.

“Do you wanna die tonight, Cici?”

“You wish it was Ted.”

“Don’t forget to set the alarm.”

The entire scenario maintains the suspense until he suddenly emerges from the closet. This chilling scene, where Ghostface plays no games and only delivers kills, is what makes it one of the scariest entries on every list.

Maybe It’s Time Someone Made a Buck Reporting Your Death! (Scream VI)

In various adventures, both Gale and Ghostface have engaged in escapades such as playfully chasing each other through sound studios and taking tumbles down staircases in basements. However, it wasn’t until the sixth movie that Gale received a call from Ghostface. From his brazenness to reveal himself as the murderer to her boyfriend, to her cunning retaliation by calling him back to shoot him, this scene is undoubtedly one of the highlights in Scream VI. Ghostface skillfully manipulates Gale’s emotions, bringing up her guilt over Dewey and her opportunistic tendencies. This particular Ghostface harbors a specific grudge against Gale, making their verbal exchanges all the more entertaining.

Casey Becker’s Opening Scene Fiasco (Scream 1996)

“The Original. The Iconic. Last but certainly not least in terms of terrifying phone calls – the Ghostface call from Casey Becker stands out as the scariest of all time! Casey’s chilling phone conversation set a high standard for both acting and scriptwriting, laying the groundwork for the entire series. The casual flirting, the unforgettable “I want to know who I’m looking at” line, warnings about being gutted like a fish… every second of Casey’s interaction with Ghostface is flawless.

Decades and many views later, it will still fill fans to the brim with a sense of dread as Casey goes into a deep hole of fear. In fact, we think it is one of the best horror opening scenes of all-time… and perhaps in any genre, period. Roger L. Jackson may not be famous to those outside of the fandom. But, to Scream lovers, he is the voice acting GOAT who truly made Ghostface into his separate entity from those who dare to don the mask.

2025-02-26 03:34