gridoon2024 Review of Scream Queens

Scream Queens (2015–2016)

Generally satisfying, if perhaps too talky, horror comedy series (season 1)

[7/10 · 3 September 2017]

"Scream Queens" is one of the three 2015-2016 attempts to make a slasher TV series; the others are "Slasher" and "Scream". None of them are quite as good as 2009's "Harper's Island", at least in their first seasons, but they all have their strengths. If "Slasher" was the most serious one (95% horror, 5% comedy) and "Scream" was self-aware in the manner of the movies (50% horror, 50% comedy), "Scream Queens" is their most openly satirical, sometimes even cartoonish cousin (30% horror, 70% comedy). Its satire of the popularity-obsessed social-media culture is spot-on, even if after three-four episodes you may get the feeling that it keeps making the same satirical points over and over; it does get excessively talky (and pop-reference-heavy) on occasion. But it does have an intricate, labyrinthine plot which is tied up in a neat little bundle by the end of the first season. The casting is excellent (Emma Roberts is brilliantly sarcastic, Skylar Samuels is really beautiful, Bilie Lourd has a great deep voice, "Chad" the stud and "Denise" the security officer-cum-chief of police are very funny, etc.), and the soundtrack features a superb collection of classic pop hits. *** out of 4.