Scream 3

As a copycat killer begins a new string of murders in Hollywood, Sidney Prescott must confront her past and the dark secrets of the "Stab" movie franchise, which is based on her life. The Ghostface killings resurface, targeting the cast of "Stab 3," forcing Sidney and her friends to uncover the killer's identity before they all become the next victims. This installment delves into the production of the fictional film, blurring the lines between reality and the movies.

Scream 3 received mixed to negative reviews, often cited as the weakest installment in the original trilogy. While some praised its attempts at meta-commentary and humor, many critics found the plot convoluted, the scares less effective, and the shift in tone away from the franchise's signature tension and suspense. Audience reception was also divided, with many fans disappointed by the departure from the established formula.

• While the film attempts a meta-commentary on Hollywood and the "Stab" franchise, it loses much of the franchise's original tension and scares.

• The plot is often considered convoluted and less engaging than previous installments, with a less satisfying reveal of the killer.

• Some viewers appreciated the increased humor and the exploration of the "Stab" movie production, but many felt it strayed too far from what made Scream great.

Google audience: Google users generally had mixed feelings about Scream 3. Many appreciated the continuation of the Scream universe and the humor, but a significant portion felt the film lacked the scares and suspense of its predecessors and found the plot to be a letdown, especially the killer's reveal.

None notable.

During production, the cast and crew had to keep the identity of the killer a secret, even from themselves. Different scripts with fake endings were distributed to the actors to prevent leaks.