Every Ghostface Killer in the SCREAM Film Franchise, Ranked

1996 saw the release of “Scream,” a movie that significantly rewrote horror film history. This teen slasher was laden with self-referential wit and introduced a chilling new antagonist, Ghostface, who would later earn iconic status. Unlike characters like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Jason Voorhees, Ghostface isn’t a unique figure but rather a style and identity that can be concealed by anyone.

In the film “Scream VI,” we have a total of twelve official Ghostface killers, each with distinct motives and varying body counts. Though Ghostface can be seen as an individual character, it’s essential to remember that this enigmatic slasher is brought to life by a group of psychopathic individuals keeping the terror alive. But who among them stands out as the most formidable Ghostface? Let’

s journey back through the Scream series to evaluate each Ghostface killer and determine their ranking.

Reminder: We’re focusing on the movies, not the television shows. Also, Jason and Greg aren’t considered genuine Ghostfaces – let’s keep things realistic.

12. Ethan Landry (Scream VI)

At the base of the Ghostface hierarchy in Scream, we find Ethan Landry, played by Jack Champion, who is Richie’s biological brother. He’s somewhat unmemorable to the point that I needed to search online for his assumed surname. In general, the antagonists in Scream VI possess the least compelling motivation, which is just seeking revenge against Sam due to her justified killing of a family member and her psychopathic boyfriend Richie.

Indeed, Mrs. Loomis in Scream 2 shares a similar intent as you’ve pointed out, yet the narrative lacks the depth and subtlety found in the original storyline, with several noticeable flaws being more apparent. A hint is given that Ethan might be least favored among the Kirsch siblings, but this aspect isn’t developed enough within the movie itself. (Further analysis on these issues will follow.)

It’s unfortunate as such a situation might have fueled Ethan with the greatest drive to surpass Richie and gain his father’s recognition or appreciation. However, Ethan tends to be rather predictable and dull, even when serving as a potential distraction in the story.

11. Detective Wayne Bailey (Scream VI)

In simpler terms, at the bottom of the rankings, we find Detective Wayne Bailey, played by Dermot Mulroney, a character who portrays a father acting like a policeman but is actually seeking revenge for his troubled son’s death. On the other hand, Mrs. Loomis initially appears as a nuisance local journalist before her surprising revelation, which seems believable. However, Detective Bailey’s storyline contains several inconsistencies or plot holes.

1) It’s hard to believe that Gale, who knows everything about Ghostface, wouldn’t have discovered information about Richie’s family. Plus, it seems increasingly strange to think he created a fake identity and acted as an NYC detective. Leaving the plot aside, Bailey, the undisputed leader of the killing gang, doesn’t seem particularly smart or strategic. Most of what happens either feels like coincidence or a half-baked response to the actual plans of the film’s heroes. Granted, the killings and attacks by Bailey and his kids are brutal, but they lack the complexity and style of their earlier counterparts.

10. Amber Freeman (Scream 2022)

As a cinephile, I must admit that I would have relished seeing Amber embody Tara’s girlfriend in Scream V, sticking closer to the original narrative. However, let me clarify that Amber doesn’t disappoint as Ghostface. She delivers some of the movie’s grisly and frenetic kill scenes, providing a fresh perspective on this iconic killer. Moreover, Mikey Madison’s portrayal in the climactic act is absolutely captivating and leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Nevertheless, the script seems to have missed an opportunity by not delving deeper into Amber’s backstory or motivations, leaving her actions somewhat hollow and lacking substance. It would have been enthralling to explore what drove her to take up this deadly role in the Ghostface mask.

In the movie, the strained relationship between her and Sam often takes center stage, yet it’s seldom delved into beyond Amber briefly mentioning it. It might have been intriguing if there were subtler clues suggesting that she wasn’t just casually interested in horror films, but rather deeply passionate about them.

Reducing Amber’s character could have been more compelling if she had shown:

1. Stronger passion for the horror genre and an obsession with Billy Loomis.
2. Intense resentment towards Tara due to Sam leaving her because of his relationship with Tara.
3. A readiness to manipulate her lover as a means to get back at those who wronged her, acting as Ghostface.

9. Quinn Bailey (Scream VI)

Among the killers in “Scream VI” and the Ghostfaces from the recent series, Quinn Bailey, played by Liana Liberato, stands out as one of the more compelling characters, even though she spends much of the film feigning death. As the sex-positive roommate of Tara and Sam, she possesses a captivating presence and appears to have a genuine bond with the sisters.

In a different scenario, Quinn’s effectiveness as a killer is significantly enhanced due to her cautious and secretive personality, which is quite unusual. Despite having fewer victims compared to others, her method of unmasking and delivering brief speeches has a greater impact than that of her peers. If the world of “Scream” were just, Quinn might have been the leader or even the sole Ghostface, engaging in an epic showdown with the Carpenter sisters in a climactic final battle.

8. Charlie Walker (Scream IV)

In the eyes of Scream fans, Charlie Walker (played by Rory Culkin) often receives criticism for his portrayal as a Ghostface killer. However, upon reconsideration, it’s clear that while he might not be the best, he definitely isn’t among the worst either. In Scream 4, we do get glimpses into Charlie’s motivations. He is a big fan of horror films and tends to be socially awkward, teetering on the edge between harmlessly creepy and potentially dangerous. He yearns for the attention of the girls around him, but his lack of charm and good looks make it difficult for him to achieve that. In essence, Charlie is the opposite of Ghostface in terms of overall persona: cool, controlled, menacing yet alluring.

Via manipulation by Jill, Charlie experiences a new sense of meaning and potential authentic bonding. He’s prepared to take violent action to support Jill and solidify them as an ultimate pair, which is not completely unreasonable considering his distorted viewpoint. However, in contrast to Jill’s robust storyline and character growth, Charlie seems more like a piece on her game board rather than a fully-fledged character.

7. Richie Kirsch (Scream 2022)

In a different phrasing, it could be said that Jack Quaid’s addition of wit and friendly charm to Richie significantly boosted his position on the list. He portrays a character who seems to be Sam’s kind-hearted yet slightly timid boyfriend, challenging authority and acting as a catalyst for change, similar to Sidney Prescott, but with a greater independence in making decisions.

Watching Quaid transform from an apprehensive onlooker into a chilling fanatic murderer is intriguing, but the plot fails to connect these events logically. Moreover, his involvement in a romantic relationship with Amber Freeman, who appears to be of high school age, is unsettling and causes their violent alliance to feel awkward and uncomfortable.

6. Stu Macher (Scream)

Indeed, it might come as a surprise that Stuart (Stu) ranks so low on this list. It’s important to note that Matthew Lillard delivers an outstanding performance in his role, and he adds much more depth to the character than what was originally written for Stu. Moreover, he complements Billy perfectly, who clearly emerges as the leader of the group.

Since his connection to Sidney isn’t as immediate compared to other Ghostfaces, and he doesn’t cause as much physical or emotional harm to her, it’s hard to justify placing him higher up on the list.

5. Jill Roberts (Scream IV)

As a cinephile, I found the character of Jill Roberts, played brilliantly by Emma Roberts, to be particularly chilling in this film. Unlike Roman’s more relatable motivation, Jill’s thirst for fame as the latest survivor is downright sinister. It’s a testament to the twisted mindset that pervades our social media-obsessed era, where visibility and popularity can drive even the most normal individuals to extreme measures. In Jill’s case, this means being willing to take lives, including her own mother’s, in pursuit of internet fame. If Ghostface had a modern incarnation, I’d say it would be Jill Roberts – a truly terrifying portrayal of our warped society’s dark side.

Jill causes Jill significant emotional distress with her aunt’s death due to a family member’s betrayal. She also inflicts severe physical harm on Jill, nearly causing Jill’s death multiple times. Jill gets Charlie to do most of the hard work and manages to avoid getting her hands dirty. If not for Sidney and her annoying friends, Jill would likely have been celebrated as a survivor.

4. Roman Bridger (Scream 3)

Roman Bridger (Scott Foley), often praised as the single Ghostface killer, still manages to impress despite some actions that appear hard to execute logistically within the storyline. His motivation, among the most intricate in the series, stems from his rejection by Maureen, a woman whose life he greatly impacted through trauma. This rejection led to a deep-seated yearning for his mother’s love and acceptance, compounded by jealousy over Sidney’s relationship with her mother during his formative years as a director. This complex mix of emotions provides an excellent foundation for the chilling character of Ghostface.

There’s something slightly unsettling about him, yet he always manages to keep his intentions hidden, making him an unlikely suspect. However, his covert dealings with Billy to establish the entire franchise have resulted in a thrilling trilogy, complete with a surprising twist that caught us off guard.

His last battle scene and death while holding Sidney’s hand was quite a spectacle, especially considering the heavy symbolism of the set piece for Maureen’s life. Unfortunately, due to censorship, Roman’s killings were more toned down. Interestingly, he doesn’t engage with Sidney until the very end of the movie, but it doesn’t diminish his character development. He truly plays a fantastic Ghostface.

3. Mrs. Loomis (Scream 2)

Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalf), you will forever hold a regal place in our hearts! If there’s one surprise in the Scream series that left everyone stunned, it’s definitely yours. The concept of this seemingly insignificant character, a pesky journalist who annoys the renowned Gale Weathers, turning out to be Billy Loomis’ mother and cleverly using her job as a cover to move around undetected, is simply brilliant.

Mrs. Loomis, mourning and distraught over her son’s death, plots revenge against Sidney and other Woodsboro survivors. If she hadn’t engaged in too many conversations with Sidney on stage and instead focused more on eliminating potential witnesses, she might have escaped justice more easily. Similar to Jill, Mrs. Loomis let Mickey do most of the heavy lifting, quickly getting rid of him so he could take the blame. Her belief that her son was innocent and their climactic confrontation with Sidney are noteworthy.

2. Mickey Altieri (Scream 2)

To make a truly impactful and unforgettable villain like Ghostface, it’s crucial not just to inflict physical harm but also to cause deep psychological trauma to your victim. Characters such as Mickey (played by Timothy Olyphant) excel in both areas; they provide chilling kill scenes, for instance the opening movie theater sequence, and deliver emotional blows. Unlike Sidney’s trustworthy friends, Mickey insidiously sows doubt about her boyfriend Derek in her mind, causing her to question Derek’s loyalty to the point where she fails to save his life in the climax.

In contrast to other Ghostfaces who kill due to personal ties with Sidney, Mickey is purely motivated by his desire to stage a sensational show and orchestrate a chaotic court trial. His participation on a dark serial killer forum suggests that he was already a murderer before the film’s events took place, which makes it all the more chilling. The aftermath of this killing spree pushes Sidney into seclusion in the woods, where she encounters spectral visions of her mother. Despite his lack of foresight about the ultimate outcome, he carried out whatever was necessary.

1. Billy Loomis (Scream)

For a more casual rephrase: Billy is at the top of the Ghostface killer leaderboard for several reasons. He’s known for being ruthless, strategic, and leaving a lasting impact with his kills. He’s also the most convincing Ghostface on the phone, as proven in the opening scene of Scream featuring Casey Becker. Moreover, he designed the character of Ghostface and made all the necessary preparations to set things in motion.

Despite his strong emotions sometimes leading him astray and causing distractions in critical moments, Billy manages to inflict maximum damage on Sidney. He deceives her into believing that she’s excessively mourning her mother, manipulates situations to make her feel comfortable with a sexual relationship, only to later cruelly expose gruesome details about her mother’s violent demise.

It’s unlikely that Billy managed to avoid being caught, given his outsized ego and occasional carelessness. However, Billy remains a significant influence within the franchise, either through diehard fans idolizing him in-universe or through direct connections like his relationship with Sam Carpenter.

2025-09-03 00:09