Who is the Final Girl in Scream?
The "Final Girl" trope has been a staple in horror movies since the 1970s, and the Scream franchise is no exception. The final girl is the last female survivor of a group of characters who has managed to outsmart and defeat the killer. In the case of the Scream franchise, the final girl is none other than Sidney Prescott.
Sidney Prescott: The Original Final Girl
Sidney, played by Neve Campbell, is the main protagonist of the Scream franchise. She is a high school student who becomes embroiled in a series of brutal murders committed by Ghostface. Throughout the franchise, Sidney finds herself as the primary target of the killer’s wrath, but she also becomes the only one capable of stopping the murders and uncovering the truth behind the killings.
Evolution of the Final Girl Role
While Sidney is the original final girl of the Scream franchise, she is not the only character to take on this role. Gale Weathers-Riley, played by Courteney Cox, and Tara Carpenter, played by Jenna Ortega, both also take on the mantle of the final girl in different movies.
- Gale Weathers-Riley: The Legacy Final Girl
Gale is a investigative journalist who becomes involved in the Scream franchise when she writes an article about the murders. She returns in Scream 3 and Scream 4, where she becomes more involved in the story as a character.
- Tara Carpenter: The New Generation Final Girl
Tara is a student at Woodsboro High School who becomes embroiled in the murders when she is attacked by Ghostface. She becomes the target of the killer’s wrath and must work to survive and uncover the truth.
Characteristics of the Final Girl
The final girl in the Scream franchise, and in horror movies in general, tends to exhibit certain characteristics that make her the perfect victim-turned-heroine. Some of these characteristics include:
- Vulnerability: The final girl is often a vulnerable character who is easy prey for the killer. This vulnerability can be due to her social status, her relationships with others, or her personality.
- Intelligence: The final girl often uses her intelligence and wit to outsmart the killer and uncover clues.
- Resourcefulness: The final girl often finds herself in situations where she must use her resources to survive, such as finding ways to escape from the killer or gathering clues to uncover the truth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the final girl is a crucial element of the Scream franchise, and Sidney Prescott is the most iconic example of this trope. While other characters have taken on the role of the final girl, Sidney remains the most well-known and beloved character in the franchise. Her characteristics of vulnerability, intelligence, and resourcefulness make her a compelling and relatable heroine, and her ability to outsmart the killer and uncover the truth makes her a true survivor.