Two years after Scream (2022) shook fans to their core, one of its stars, Mikey Madison, is opening up about the heartbreak of taking down a beloved franchise icon. For decades, the Scream series has built its reputation on shocking audiences with brutal and unexpected deaths, but none hit quite as hard as Dewey Riley’s tragic demise. Played by David Arquette, Dewey was the franchise’s steady survivor, defying Ghostface time and again—until Amber, played by Madison, delivered the fatal blow.
In a recent chat with Collider, Madison admitted she had no idea just how deeply fans loved the franchise when she first joined the cast. She described feeling sad about Dewey’s death while filming but didn’t fully grasp how much it would devastate fans until after the movie’s release. Madison shared how some viewers even confronted her over the loss, forcing her to explain it wasn’t her call. She said:
“I have to be honest, when I did the film, it sounds naive, but I wasn’t so aware of the huge fan base that the franchise has, that I’ve now been able to discover. Scream and horror fans…are the best people ever, but I really naively went into it.
And so I remember being kind of sad because I was like, ‘Oh, such a great character. It’ll be sad to see him go.’ And then I realized afterward the heartbreak that so many people felt. People have come up to me, and they’re like, ‘I hate that this happened. I’m mad at you.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t write the script!’ I didn’t want to do it.”
What Dewey’s Death Meant for the Franchise
Madison’s portrayal of Ghostface brought fresh unpredictability to the series, marking a bold moment for the Scream revival. Killing off Dewey wasn’t just shocking; it signaled that no character was truly safe, raising the stakes for future films. While some fans were upset, this decision gave the story a sense of gravity that pushed the slasher franchise into uncharted territory.
Her performance also reinforced what makes Scream unique—its self-aware, unpredictable tone. Dewey’s death set the stage for even more tension in Scream VI, where audiences genuinely feared that Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) might meet the same grim fate. While Gale survived, Dewey’s loss still casts a long shadow, reminding fans of the franchise’s emotional impact.
Our Take on Madison’s Ghostface
Madison’s turn as Ghostface brought new life to the Scream series, proving the franchise isn’t afraid to make bold moves—even if it risks upsetting fans. Losing Dewey was heartbreaking, but it added depth to the story and showed that Scream is willing to take risks to stay fresh.
With Scream 7 facing challenges, including a shake-up in its cast following Melissa Barrera’s firing and Jenna Ortega’s departure, the franchise will need to balance honoring its legacy with continuing to surprise audiences. If it does, it could carve out a compelling new chapter. For now, Dewey’s death remains a bittersweet moment that highlights why Scream remains a powerhouse in the horror genre.
