Ghostface

Overview

Ghostface is a name used by the killers throughout the Scream franchise and is also one of the most recognizable slasher icons in horror history. Unlike many horror villains Ghostface does not have supernatural abilities. Instead the costume and identity are used by multiple killers across the films each with different motives and connections to the victims throughout the films.

Ghostface first appears in Scream (1996) created by writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven. The killers in Scream typically wear a black hooded robe and a white ghost mask inspired by the painting The Scream by Edvard Munch. Ghostface is also known for using a voice changer to disguise his or hers identity and for calling victims before attacking them often asking questions about horror movies.

Scream 1-3

1996–2000 Timeline

The Ghostface killings begin in Scream (1996) in the town of Woodsboro, California. The film follows a high school student Sidney Prescott, whose life is turned upside down when a masked killer begins murdering teenagers in the town one year after the death of her mother, Maureen Prescott.

Ghostface targets Sidney and her friends while taunting the victims with phone calls and horror movie trivia before attacking them. As fear spreads throughout Woodsboro, suspicion grows among Sidney’s friend group. The murders are eventually revealed to have been committed by Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, two teenagers obsessed with horror movies and motivated by revenge, manipulation, and thrill killing.

In the events of Scream 2, the murders are eventually revealed to be committed by Mickey Altieri, along with Nancy Loomis, Billy Loomis’s mother. Mrs. Loomis seeks revenge against Sidney for Billy Loomis's death, while Mickey is motivated by fame and plans to blame violent movies for his crimes during the trial.

Scream 3 moves the setting to Hollywood during a production, Stab 3, a film series based on the Woodsboro murders. Actors working in the movie begin getting murdered by another Ghostface killer. Sidney eventually makes a major discover that the killer is Roman Bridger, the director of the film and her secret half-brother.

Scream 4-6

2011-2023 Timeline

Scream 4 returns to Woodsboro years after the original murders in the previous three movies. Sidney returns home during the anniversary of the killings, but another Ghostface begins targeting teenagers connected to her family and past. The killers are eventually revealed to be Jill Roberts, Sidney’s cousin, and Charlie Walker.

Scream (2022) introduces a new generation of characters to the film. The story follows Sam Carpenter, who discovers she is the daughter of Billy Loomis from Scream 1. A new pair of Ghostface killers targets teenagers connected to the original Woodsboro murders while attempting to create a new "requel" for the Stab franchise. The Killers are revealed to be Amber Freeman and Richie Kirsch.

Scream 6 moves the story to New York City, where Sam, Tara, and the surviving characters attempt to escape their traumatic past. However, another Ghostface begins targeting them while investigating previous killers from throughout the franchise. The killers are revealed to be Detective Wayne Bailey, Ethan, and Quinn whose motives are to seek revenge of their sibling Richie Kirsch.