Scream: The Story So Far

Source: IGN

Before Scream 4, catch up on the story of Sidney Prescott, and those unlucky enough to befriend her.

Scream 4 continues the story began in 1996 with a fateful phone call. But 15 years is a long time, and there's an entire new generation who may have never seen the original Scream trilogy. Now sure, they could take time to actually watch those films before going to see the fourth installment in the series. But who has the time for that? We live in a time where 141 characters is just one too many! So if you have never seen a Scream film, or need a refresher (it has been 11 years since the last film opened after all), here's our look back at everything that's happened so far in the series. Suffice to say, there are spoilers all over this thing for Scream 1, 2 and 3 – but no worries, we're not even touching upon Scream 4.

Scream:

The Scenario: In the small town of Woodsboro, California, high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is still trying to process the murder of her mother the year before. While Sidney's testimony helped convict her mother's younger lover, Cotton Weary (Liev Schreiber), reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) continually questioned Sidney's shaky account of what happened. When a series of murders begin amongst Sidney's classmates and friends, the killer's specific targeting of Sidney again raises questions about what happened to her mother. Gale comes to town to report on the story, striking up an unlikely bond with the bumbling but kind-hearted local deputy, Dewey Riley (David Arquette).

Meanwhile, the killer, who wears a spooky Ghostface mask, displays a unique MO: Calling them on the phone first, he tests his victims on their knowledge of scary movies before dispatching them. Sidney's geeky friend Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) also notes that the killer is seemingly following the "rules" of traditional horror movies -- specifically slasher films -- where drinking, drugs and sex are among the many ways to end up dead.

Notable Victims: Woodsboro High student Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore) and her boyfriend, Steve; Sidney's best friend (and Dewey's little sister), Tatum (Rose McGowan); Woodsboro High's Principal Himbry (Henry Winkler).

The Killer and Motive: There are a lot of reasons to be suspicious of Sidney's boyfriend, Billy (Skeet Ulrich), until he himself is attacked and sliced up right in front of Sidney. But guess what? Billy is the killer - or one of them at least. That's right, there were two killers working together all along, allowing them to cover for one another - the other is Billy and Sidney's friend, Stu (Matthew Lillard).

Stu says what they did was "fun," and both boys taunt Sidney about how they are going to frame her father for the murders, pulling off a perfect crime. But Billy then reveals the true reason this all began – Sidney's promiscuous mother had an affair with his father, causing Billy's mother to leave. This led to a vengeful (and psychotic) Billy deciding to kill Sidney's mother in the first place.

The Resolution: Sidney fights both Stu and Billy, killing Stu when she pulls a TV set down onto his head and shooting and killing Billy.

The Survivors: Sidney, Gale and Sidney's father are both bruised and battered, but otherwise okay, while Randy survives a gunshot wound and Dewey survives being stabbed in what will turn out to be a remarkably resilient back.

Scream 2:

The Scenario: Sidney and Randy are attempting to live the life of normal Windsor College students, even as a film called Stab is released, based on what happened in Woodsboro (and starring Tori Spelling!). But the murders begin again, with a new killer, wearing the Ghostface mask, initially patterning the killings after Woodsboro.

The killings bring Dewey to Windsor to help protect Sidney, while the ever-ruthless Gale is eager to once again be the reporter who gets the scoop. Gale brings along the now-exonerated Cotton, who is happy to profit off of his notoriety. Initially arguing over how he was portrayed in Gale's book about Woodsboro, Gale and Dewey soon begin to succumb to their innate initial attraction again. As Randy warns about the rules of sequels (where the murders get more widespread and elaborate), Sidney fears history is repeating itself when suspicions arise around her new boyfriend, Derek (Jerry O'Connell). But Cotton's presence is also a red flag, considering he spent time in jail for a crime he didn't commit, and that he may now want revenge against Sidney.

Notable Victims: Stab screening attendees Maureen (Jada Pinkett) and Phil (Omar Epps); Sorority girl Cici (Sarah Michelle Gellar); Sidney's roommate, Hallie (Elise Neal); Derek; and, in a huge "NO!" moment for fans, poor Randy.

The Killer and Motive: Randy's fellow film major, Mickey (Timothy Olyphant) reveals himself as the killer, shooting Derek in the process. Mickey, latching onto society's obsession with celebrity trials, explains to Sidney that he is happy to be caught for his crimes, intending to blame the influence of movies for what he did, and excited by what he assumes will be a media sensation.

However, Mickey too had a partner – eccentric reporter Debbie Salt (Laurie Metcalf), who Sidney realizes is actually Mrs. Loomis, Billy's mother. It was Mrs. Loomis who orchestrated all the deaths at Windsor, finding Mickey and mentoring him in the ways of murder.

The Resolution: Mrs. Loomis shoots and (seemingly) kills her patsy, Mickey, who could implicate her. When Loomis grabs Sidney in the middle of a struggle between the two women, it's Cotton Weary who saves the day, shooting Mrs. Loomis – albeit after Sidney promises Cotton she'll do a Diane Sawyer interview alongside him. When Mickey springs back up, still alive, Sidney and Gale both shoot him good and dead.

The Survivors: Sidney, Cotton, Gale (nursing a gunshot wound from Mickey) and Dewey – the latter of whom looked to truly be dead this time, after being stabbed in the back again, only to be saved by the scar tissue from his earlier attack.

Scream 3:

The Scenario: Having now been the focal point of two murder sprees, Sidney has retreated into a life of self-imposed isolation and solitude. But in Los Angeles, Cotton is murdered by a masked killer trying to find out where Sidney is. Cotton's death brings Gale to the set of Stab 3, where she is reunited with Dewey, who is a consultant on the film – as we learn that Gale and Dewey's relationship was short-lived, because she couldn't stand the quiet life in Woodsboro.

Sidney decides to face her demons and comes to LA to help Detective Kincaid (Patrick Dempsey) find the killer, while the Stab 3 cast begins to be dispatched one by one. A video left behind by Randy warns of the rule of trilogies and that the final chapter usually involves the past and finding out things you never knew to be the truth are integral to the present.

Notable Victims: Cotton and his girlfriend Christine (Kelly Rutherford); Stab 3 cast members Sarah (Jenny McCarthy), Tom (Matt Keeslar), Angelina (Emily Mortimer), Jennifer (Parker Posey) and Tyson (Deon Richmond); Jennifer's bodyguard, Steven (Patrick Warburton); Stab 3 producer, John (Lance Henriksen).

The Killer: Stab 3 director, Roman (Scott Foley), who is actually... wait for it... Sidney's secret brother. It seems Sidney's mother, Maureen, was once an aspiring actress, who got pregnant with Roman after being gang raped at one of John's infamous "parties."

Having been given up by Maureen before she started her family in Woodsboro, Roman tracked her down, but she rejected him – which inspired him to inform Billy Loomis about Maureen's affair with Billy's father, setting the entire murderous saga into motion. Now Roman intends to kill Sidney and frame her for his murders.

The Resolution: Roman shoots Sidney, thinking he's killed her, but it turns out she's wearing a bulletproof vest, and she stabs Roman with an icepick. When Roman does the requisite "I'm not really dead!" leap up, it's Dewey who shoots and kills Roman.

Back at Sidney's home, she, Gale and Dewey are joined by Detective Kincaid, who seems to have taken a liking to Sidney. Dewey proposes to Gale and she accepts.

When a gust of wind blows Sidney's door open, she resists instinctively going to push it closed, feeling safe and secure… Because there's no way a masked killer will ever, ever menace her again… right?

Scream 4 opens in theaters nationwide this Friday!