Scream VI (2023) takes the beloved slasher franchise to terrifying new heights, proving that even after decades, the Ghostface mask still has the power to shock, thrill, and entertain. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, this sequel continues the legacy of the iconic series while carving out fresh territory, introducing a darker, more relentless Ghostface than ever before. The film embraces its meta roots while delivering visceral horror and a tense, high-stakes narrative that keeps viewers on edge from start to finish.

The story follows the survivors of Scream V—Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera), her sister Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega), and twins Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown)—as they leave Woodsboro behind in an attempt to rebuild their lives in New York City. However, their hopes for a fresh start are shattered when a new Ghostface emerges, stalking them in the sprawling urban jungle. The shift from Woodsboro’s suburban horror to the chaos of New York provides a fresh, dynamic setting, utilizing the city’s anonymity and claustrophobia to amplify the terror.

Sam, still grappling with the psychological scars of her connection to original killer Billy Loomis, becomes the focal point of the new Ghostface’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅly game. The killer’s attacks are more brutal and methodical than ever, targeting not just the survivors but anyone connected to their past. The tension is heightened as the group struggles to determine who they can trust, with Ghostface’s idenтιтy shrouded in even deeper mystery than before.

Jenna Ortega shines as Tara, stepping into a more central role and showcasing her growing strength and resilience. Melissa Barrera delivers a standout performance as Sam, balancing vulnerability and ferocity as she fights to protect her sister while confronting her own dark tendencies. The return of Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers adds a nostalgic touch, her character continuing to navigate the blurred lines between journalist and survivor. Hayden Panettiere’s return as Kirby Reed, a fan-favorite from Scream 4, injects fresh energy into the mix, bridging the gap between old and new generations of survivors.

The kills in Scream VI are some of the franchise’s most intense and inventive, with the urban setting allowing for creative set pieces. A chilling sequence on a crowded subway car during Halloween, where multiple Ghostface costumes blend with real danger, stands out as a highlight. The film masterfully builds suspense, using the city’s vastness and isolation to create an atmosphere of relentless dread.

As always, the meta commentary is a key element, with Scream VI satirizing both the rules of sequels and the evolving horror genre. The film cheekily critiques “franchise rules,” exploring how the stakes are raised when legacy characters are no longer safe, and how audiences now expect bigger twists and deeper lore. This self-awareness is woven seamlessly into the narrative, making it both a critique and celebration of the genre.

The direction by Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett is sharp and confident, balancing the brutal horror with moments of humor and character-driven emotion. The pacing keeps viewers engaged, with every scene pushing the narrative forward or adding depth to the characters. Brian Tyler and Sven Faulconer’s score heightens the tension, blending eerie tones with nostalgic callbacks to Marco Beltrami’s original compositions.

Scream VI is more than just a slasher sequel; it’s a bold evolution of the franchise. It honors the legacy of Wes Craven’s original films while pushing the story and characters in daring new directions. With its intense kills, sharp writing, and standout performances, Scream VI proves that the Ghostface mask still has plenty of scares left to deliver. It’s a bloody, thrilling ride that keeps fans guessing until the very last moment, cementing its place as one of the strongest entries in the iconic series.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.