Wes Craven’s “Scream”: The Ultimate Cozy Horror

There's nothing I love more than “cozy horror.”

Cozy? Horror? In the same sentence?

Hear me out. Everyone has their go-to comfort movies.

They're the movies that make us feel like we're safely wrapped in our favorite blanket on a cold rainy day. 

Maybe, for you, it's Harry Potter. Or, perhaps, you find solace in a classic like Home Alone. Something wholesome and fun. A comedy, or even better, a Rom-Com. I mean, who doesn't love 13 Going On 30?

And hey, I love 'em all, too.

Do you want to know what else I love?

Scream!

That's right. Wes Craven's 1996 Slasher.

Scream is my Harry Potter. It’s the ultimate cozy horror.

But wait, horror can’t be cozy!

Yes, it absolutely can. And for many of us it is.

I know horror isn't for everyone. It's a polarizing genre, and I'm used to people telling me it sucks. 

Fair.

“Why would anyone want to be scared?”

Look, I'm no thrill seeker. You won't find me skydiving, or hopping on a rollercoaster anytime soon. I HATE feeling scared. 

But the world is a scary place. 

Before I put on my cozy horror, my mind is filled with worry about all the things that are going wrong or could go wrong. The potential dangers, endless suffering and injustice. I get dizzy. Anxious. I have no control.

So what you need to understand is, I'm already scared. Terrified, actually. 

At least with Scream, the horror is contained. I know how it ends. It’s familiar and fun. And it’ll be over soon.

I can sit back, bathe in nostalgia and enjoy the ride.

I’m safe.

Scream transports me to my childhood. A less complicated time. 

The bulky VHS tape, the local video rental shops, and the sense of adventure I'd get from popping the tape into the VCR. Then, the glow from the tube and "Dimension Films" appears on the screen. It’s a 90’s capsule.

Pure nostalgia.

And the movie has all the right ingredients.

Horror? Check.

Who dunnit mystery? Check.

Comedy? Check.

I’m all in.

Here’s the gist: Scream is about a mysterious killer named Ghostface who stalks high schooler Sidney Prescott.

The movie explores how trauma, cinematic and real world violence are often exploited. But there’s so much humor sprinkled throughout. It holds your hand through the scary parts. Sometimes, that humor fuels the horror. 

Together, the horror and comedy spark deep-seated emotions, just like in real life.

We’re forced to confront terrifying things. Deal with our fears. Lean into humor and laughter to get through it all. 

For me, the best part of Scream is how self-aware it is. It's a horror movie ABOUT horror movies. It honors, and lovingly pokes fun at them. 

The characters are familiar with the genre and the most common horror tropes are the rules for survival. 

To make it out alive: never have sex, drink or do drugs, and never ever, under any circumstances say “I’ll be right back”.

It’s one giant wink at the camera.

As a horror fan, that's my jam.

On top of that, the cast is perfection. 

Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette. The heroes.

Whenever these three appear on screen, it's like coming home to family.

I’m invested in their character's fate, and I can’t help but root for them.

Especially Campbell's character, Sidney. She’s no damsel in distress. It’s empowering to see a smart woman fight back and protect herself. 

And let's not forget the most memorable part of Scream: the epic tension-filled opening scene.

Drew Barrymore’s character Casey is home alone at night. The phone rings, while popcorn heats on the stove. She has a friendly chit-chat with the unknown caller. At first, she thinks it’s a harmless prank. Then, the call takes a menacing turn.

Casey: "Why do you want to know my name?"

Ghostface: "Because, I want to know who I'm looking at."

A sadistic game of horror trivia begins. If she answers wrong, she dies.

No matter how many times I see this scene, it ALWAYS pulls me in. It demands my attention. 

It’s terrifying. I know it’s possible. But it’s nothing compared to the harsh realities beyond my tv screen and in my mind. It’s not real and I know there’s plenty of laughs on the way. Relief. 

In the end, everything will be okay.

That’s why this movie is incredibly re-watchable. With every viewing, I love it more. 

Never bored. Always laughing. 

It’s an escape from the real world.

So I come back to my cozy horror again and again. 

Wouldn’t you?

A special thank you to Simone Silverstein and Andrew Plainview for their valuable feedback on this essay.