Scream (1996) Ending Explained
tl;dr
The ending of Scream (1996) reveals that Sidney Prescott's boyfriend, Billy Loomis, and his friend Stu Macher are the Ghostface killers. After a brutal final confrontation, Sidney outsmarts and kills both killers with the help of surviving characters. The film subverts horror tropes by exposing the killers' motives-revenge and a twisted desire for fame-while leaving Sidney as the resilient "final girl." The ending reinforces the movie's meta-commentary on horror films, blending satire with genuine suspense.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Scream unfolds at Stu Macher's house, where Sidney Prescott, her friend Randy, reporter Gale Weathers, and Deputy Dewey Riley are lured into a trap. After Randy is attacked and Dewey is seemingly killed, Sidney is left alone to face Ghostface. The killers reveal themselves as Billy Loomis (her boyfriend) and Stu, who orchestrated the murders as revenge for Sidney's mother's affair with Billy's father. Their plan was also influenced by a desire to create their own real-life horror movie, mirroring the films they obsess over. The confrontation escalates into a chaotic fight, with Sidney using her wit to survive-first shooting Billy and then crushing Stu with a television.
The film's resolution is both satisfying and subversive. After Billy seemingly dies from his gunshot wound, he stages a final jump-scare, attacking Sidney once more before she finally kills him. Gale and Dewey, who survived their injuries, arrive just in time to witness Sidney's victory. The ending reinforces Sidney's transformation from a traumatized victim into a resilient survivor, embodying the "final girl" trope while also deconstructing it. The killers' motives-personal vengeance and a warped craving for notoriety-reflect the film's broader critique of horror movie logic, where real violence is often trivialized for entertainment.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Why did Billy and Stu target Sidney's friends instead of just her?
- To create a broader spectacle, mimicking slasher movie tropes where side characters are killed off.
- To isolate Sidney emotionally, making her suffering more profound.
- Was Billy's father truly unaware of his son's crimes?
- Likely yes, given Billy's manipulative nature, but the film leaves it ambiguous.
- How did Randy survive his attack?
- His wounds were severe but not immediately fatal, allowing Gale to help him offscreen.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
Scream's ending is a masterclass in balancing horror and satire. By revealing the killers as characters Sidney trusted, the film delivers a gut-punch twist while also critiquing the predictability of slasher villains. The final showdown is tense yet darkly humorous (especially Stu's "I'm feeling a little woozy!" line), showcasing director Wes Craven's ability to blend genres. Sidney's survival feels earned, not just because she fights back, but because she outsmarts the killers using their own obsession with horror rules against them. The film's meta-commentary remains sharp decades later, making Scream both a love letter to and a deconstruction of the horror genre.
What makes the ending particularly effective is its refusal to neatly tie up every thread. The lingering question of whether violence in media influenced Billy and Stu-or if they were just sociopaths-adds depth. The sequel bait (with Gale's news report) feels organic rather than forced, setting up future films without undermining this story's closure. Overall, Scream's ending is iconic because it respects the audience's intelligence, delivering scares, laughs, and a clever critique of horror itself.
Final Thoughts
Scream redefined slasher films by making its characters aware of horror tropes, and its ending exemplifies this brilliance. The killers' defeat doesn't just provide catharsis-it reinforces the film's thesis about the consequences of glorifying violence. Sidney's victory isn't just physical; it's symbolic, proving that understanding the "rules" can mean survival. The movie's influence is undeniable, and its ending remains one of the most memorable in horror history.