Scream 4(2011)
2011 · Wes Craven · 111 min
Fifteen years after the original Woodsboro murders, Sidney Prescott returns home to promote her new book about surviving trauma, only for a new Ghostface killer to emerge, targeting a new group of teens.
Horror · Mystery
6.54.3k votes
TMDB score
3/5
Intensity
3/5
Gore
2/5
Stays with you
How Scream 4 scares
It opens with a wink at horror sequels themselves before settling into the same rhythm as the earlier films: chatty, joke-filled scenes that suddenly snap into a chase or a phone call from the killer. The fear here comes from a masked person with a knife showing up when you least expect it, not from anything otherworldly or mind-bending. There's a decent amount of stabbing and screaming, but it's shot and paced more like a fun ride than something meant to haunt you. Good for fans of the original who want a knowing, self-aware slasher rather than a heavy, disturbing watch.
On The Horror Database's 0–5 scare profile, Scream 4 rates psychological 2/5, visceral 3/5, gore 3/5, lingering effect 2/5, and overall intensity 3/5.
- Psychological: 2 of 5
- Visceral: 3 of 5
- Gore: 3 of 5
- Lingering: 2 of 5
- Intensity: 3 of 5
Slow burn vs Jump scares: 55 of 100 — balanced
Supernatural vs Real-world: 95 of 100 — leans Real-world
Fun-scary vs Disturbing: 20 of 100 — leans Fun-scary
Intensity over runtime
Shape only — no eventsReveal pacing shapeHide pacing shapeHidden by default — shows where the tension peaks and lets up.
A punchy cold open kicks things off, then it settles into a rhythm of tense build-ups and sudden jolts before piling on for a busy, frantic finish.
Intensity across the runtime, 0 to 100: 3, 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5.
How scary is Scream 4?
On The Horror Database's 0–5 intensity scale, Scream 4 rates 3/5 — solidly scary, balancing creeping dread with well-placed shocks. It works on both fronts, unsettling the mind while going for the body. Expect it to be moderately gory and fun-first. Some of it will follow you to bed, but it lets go within a day or so.
Watched it? Sign in to confirm whether this profile fits.
