Scream 6 Ending Explained: How it sets up Scream 7?

Scream 6 sticks to its franchise’s bloody formula with the same joyful glee as the series’ past installments. Scream 6 sees the return of Samantha and Tara Carpenter, who have relocated to New York City, where Tara attends college.

With mostly positive reviews, this “sequel to a requel” is being appreciated for being a fun, bloody entry to the Scream franchise. Scream 6 has multiple Ghostface killers and plenty of surprises. We discussed the horror film’s ending, how the survivors set up Scream 7, and more.

Let’s get into more details.

Scream 6 ends with Sam, Tara, Chad, and Kirby locked inside the movie theatre. Detective Bailey calls Sam to tell her that Kirby can’t be trusted, alleging she is unstable.

Sam, Tara, and Chad briefly turn against Kirby before it’s revealed that she isn’t the killer at all, and more than one has gained entry to the shrine. Detective Bailey ultimately shows he plotted with Quinn and Ethan, both his children, to kill Sam.

After a tussle, Sam, who dons her father’s Ghostface mask, kills Quinn and Bailey while Tara and Kirby take down Ethan. Sam leaves behind Billy Loomis’ mask as she walks away with Tara.

1. Detective Bailey, Quinn, and Ethan’s Ghostface Killer Motive Explained

Detective Bailey, Quinn, and Ethan are Richie’s father, sister, and brother, respectively. They wanted revenge on Sam for killing Richie in 2022’s Scream. Their obsession with the Stab movies and the original killings was evident from the collection of the bloodied t-shirts of victims and all the Ghostface masks.

The shocking part is how Richie’s family is on board with his plan to kill Sam. They saw Billy Loomis as an icon. Scream 6’s Ghostface killings were simply Richie’s family finishing what Richie started. This included the incomplete movie Richie was working on before he died.

2. Real Meaning of Scream 6’s Ending

Scream 6 deals with conspiracy theories and online hate and how that can affect someone in the real world. It showcases how quickly anyone can start a rumor that leads to hatred and violence against someone, regardless of the truth.

Scream 6 is also about violence being a choice. Sam, the daughter of a serial killer, is constantly being accused of or harassed for being a potential killer, but she has only ever killed someone in self-defense.

Whereas Bailey, Quinn, and Ethan- as well as Richie-chose to murder out of revenge or lust for violence. Scream 6 draws a line between the two things to make clear its point.

3. Scream 6’s Post-Credits Scene Explained

Scream 6 includes a post-credits scene of Mindy Meeks-Martin declaring that “not all movies need a post-credits scene.” Cleverly, the scene seems like an extension of Mindy’s monologue detailing the rules of horror movies and franchises.

Scream 6’s post-credits scene is yet another meta moment that takes a shot at franchise filmmaking and the penchant for post-credits scenes, as well as the expectation by audiences for them to be included. The dialogue in the horror film’s post-credits scene aligns with its ongoing and self-aware commentary.

While it doesn’t tease anything for a future Scream movie installment, it fits perfectly within Scream 6. 

4. Does Scream 6’s Ending hint at a Sidney return in Scream 7?

Sidney Prescot was absent in Scream 6, with only a mention of an offscreen interaction between her and Gale. Despite the horror movie bringing back Billy Loomis’ mask and referencing the first Scream killer heavily, it seems doubtful that Sidney will return in Scream 7.

To be sure, Sidney is forever connected to the Ghostface killer and Woodsboro. However, Scream 6 showed that the legacy sequels could only go with her. Bringing Sidney back risks her life, and she’s been through enough trauma.

Remaining offscreen means Sidney lives in peace and safety as she continues building a life with her family.

5. How Scream 6’s Ending Set up Scream 7

The Core Four survived alongside Kirby and Gale, but Scream 6 hints that there could always be more Ghostfaces. Perhaps Scream 7 will include a killer who wants revenge for the deaths of Jason and Greg and blames Sam for them.

Online conspiracy theorists already hate Sam. One of them, such as the college student who harassed Sam on the street, could be inspired to put on the Ghostface mask and go after Sam in Scream 7.

Sam left Billy’s mask behind, which could fall into the wrong hands and return to haunt her. Whatever happens, the survivors of Scream 6 have each other’s backs.

6. Ghostface’s Identity Clues in Scream 6.

We know that Ghostface’s identity is always the biggest mystery in any Scream movie. Typically, more than one killer is doing the dirty work. In Scream 6, there are not two killers but three running around New York, stabbing people.

Ethan becomes a suspect, and it’s not surprising. One of the most significant clues to him being the killer is his absence during Ghostface’s apartment break-in. He claims he was in the class then, but no one believed that.

The biggest clue is that Ethan was Chad’s roommate. Therefore, he had easy access to all conversations that were being had with Tara and Sam without being directly involved with the Carpenter sisters.

 Quinn’s death is also a clue, especially since there wasn’t a scene involving Detective Bailey finding her body. She didn’t even die in front of everyone else. Quinn’s mention of her brother’s death is also a clue that there is more to her story that she doesn’t fully share.

The remaining clues involve Dermot Mulroney’s Detective Bailey, who is too keen on applying himself directly to the case, even when he is no longer assigned.

His suspicion of Kirby also hints at his identity as one of the Ghostface killers, as her presence dents his family’s plans.

7. About Scream 6

Scream 6 is an upcoming American slasher film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. It will be the sixth installment in the Scream film series and a direct sequel to Scream (2022).

The film continues with the survivors of the latest Ghostface killings, sisters Samantha and Tara Carpenter, and twins Chad and Mindy Meeks. Leaving Woodsboro behind and starting a new chapter of their lives in New York City, they’re once again plagued by a streak of murders by a new Ghostface killer.

The film will release on March 10, 2023, and the cast includes Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Goodling, Courteney Cox, and Hayden Panettiere.