Scream 2022 Vs Matrix Resurrections: Which Meta-Sequel Is Better?
Warning: Spoilers for Scream 2022 and The Matrix Resurrections
Both Scream (2022) and The Matrix Resurrections fall into the popular category of a "meta-sequel" - a film in a series that references previous installments — but one movie succeeds in as an example of the genre more than the other. The Matrix Resurrections, directed by Lana Wachowski, is the sequel to the commercially successful Matrix trilogy, continuing the adventures of Neo, Trinity, and now a new version of Morbius. Scream 2022 is the latest film in the Scream slasher horror franchise, following Sidney Prescott and the masked killer Ghostface, who is played by different characters in each movie. Both movies make extensive references to previous installments in their respective sagas, making them an interesting meta double bill.
There has been a popular trend among Hollywood Studios to reboot iconic franchises from years past with sequels featuring a mix of older legacy characters and new characters. From Battlestar Galactica to Dexter: New Blood, appealing to an established fanbase can be lucrative. It can also be a tricky balancing act between offering what's expected and telling a fresh story. Many fans, for instance, criticized the missed opportunities to bring back original characters in The Matrix Resurrections, highlighting that playing with established franchise tropes and traditions can be risky.
Related: Resurrections' Big Matrix Design Change Ruined Its Best Conflict
In both The Matrix Resurrections and Scream 2022 a familiar line-up of returning faces features alongside a litany of new characters. Narratively, each film also shares similarities with its various franchise predecessors, calling back on key scenes and lines of dialogue in a
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