David Arquette, known for his role in the iconic Scream franchise, recently shared an amusing anecdote involving his daughter, Coco, regarding her initial experience watching the series. The franchise, which kicked off with Wes Craven’s groundbreaking film in 1996, has since expanded to include five sequels, culminating in the release of Scream 6 in 2023. Arquette first made his mark as the lovable police officer Dewey Riley, sharing the screen with Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers. Their on-set chemistry led to a marriage in 1999, although they eventually divorced in 2013.
During a recent appearance at 90s Con, Arquette recounted the moment he watched the first Scream film with Coco, who is now 20. Her reaction? It wasn’t what he had hoped for.
“I tried to watch Scream with Coco during COVID. She’s like, ‘Dad, this is just weird.’ I was like, ‘I know.'”
However, a shift occurred when Coco attended a screening of the 2022 installment of Scream. The positive audience reception changed her perspective entirely.
“She went to one of the screenings and she saw all the fan response and she just was sweet. She was like, ‘Aww, they love you guys.'”
Implications for the Scream Franchise
A Revival of the Franchise
The original Scream movie, releasing in 1996, surprised both critics and audiences with its clever take on horror film tropes and unforgettable characters, particularly Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott. Shortly after, Scream 2 sustained this momentum, achieving critical acclaim and nearly matching the first film’s impressive box office gross of $173 million. However, Scream 3 (2000) faltered in reception, leading to a dip in the franchise’s popularity, while Scream 4 (2011) remains the lowest-grossing installment.
| Title | Rotten Tomatoes Score | Worldwide Box Office |
|---|---|---|
| Scream | 77% | $173M |
| Scream 2 | 82% | $172M |
| Scream 3 | 43% | $161M |
| Scream 4 | 60% | $97M |
| Scream (2022) | 76% | $137M |
| Scream 6 | 77% | $168M |
After an 11-year hiatus following the tepid response to Scream 4, the arrival of Scream in 2022 revitalized the franchise, skillfully intertwining legacy characters like Sidney, Gale, and Dewey with new protagonists, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) Carpenter. This installment not only restored interest in the series but also prompted positive reviews, establishing itself among the franchise’s most successful entries.
Reflections on Arquette’s Experience
An Understandable Perspective
The Scream franchise stands out as an unconventional horror series, blending humor with intense, gory sequences. This unique approach might not resonate with all viewers, particularly for Coco, who is confronted with the added complexity of watching her father portray a character in romantic relation to her mother. Furthermore, the real-life separation of Arquette and Cox might create an additional layer of discomfort for her.
Interestingly, 2022’s Scream appears to have shifted Coco’s view, a film that also marked the franchise’s return after its eight-year absence. While this outing contains remarkably graphic scenes, including a pivotal moment with Dewey, it unravels in a fictional realm, demonstrating that even within a horror narrative, personal perspectives are shaped by familial ties. With Dewey’s anticipated return in the next installment, Coco will have yet another opportunity to engage with her father’s legacy in this celebrated horror saga.
Source: 90s Con (via People)