Ghostface appearances are freaking people out in the US before Scream VI release

The creepy white-masked 'killer' is being spotted across cities in the US a week before the next segment in the Scream franchise hits theatres, prompting a bunch of agitated 911 calls. Here’s a bit about the infamous slasher icon.

In the weeks before the sixth Scream's March 10 premiere, the instantly recognisable Ghostface has been spotted in a number of American cities, including Sonoma (which serves as a stand-in for the franchise's fictional town of Woodsboro), New Orleans, and St. Louis.

I'm watching you. #ScreamVI https://t.co/UANXbT6hlb

— Ghostface (@GhostfaceTalks_) March 2, 2023

Though these sightings have been freaking people out enough to call the cops, they have been confirmed to be all part of the marketing campaign to promote the upcoming Scream VI, according to Variety.

With last year’s Smile, Paramount pulled out a similar prank by developing a creative marketing campaign to advertise the horror film. The studio recruited actors to sit behind home plates and other televised locations and smile ominously during broadcasted baseball games before the film's theatrical premiere. Smile unexpectedly became a box office success, grossing more than $200 million worldwide.

Uh, welcome to Oakland? pic.twitter.com/Zn6mu45t5P

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 24, 2022

The iconic masked villain from the Scream franchise, has had a profound cultural impact on the world since the release of the first film in 1996. The character has become a staple of popular culture and has inspired numerous imitations and homages in film, television, and even music. But before that, here's the trailer to the latest film in the franchise:

The Ghostface mask, a simple white face with black eyes and a long, pointed snout, has become an instantly recognizable symbol of horror. It has been parodied in countless movies, television shows, and even video games. The mask has become so ubiquitous that it is now sold in costume shops around the world, and is a popular Halloween costume. The mask has also been used in protests and political events, becoming a symbol of rebellion and resistance.

The character of Ghostface has also had a significant impact on the horror genre. The Scream franchise was unique in that it was a horror movie that was self-aware, and actively played with the conventions of the genre. The characters in the film were horror fans themselves, and the movie was full of references to classic horror films. This meta approach to horror was groundbreaking at the time, and has influenced numerous horror movies and television shows that followed.

The Scream franchise also helped to revitalize the slasher movie genre, which had fallen out of favor in the late 80s and early 90s. The movie was a massive box office success, and spawned three sequels, as well as a television series. The success of the franchise also led to a resurgence of interest in classic horror movies, as audiences were introduced to the films that inspired Scream.

One of the most significant cultural impacts of Ghostface has been on the way we consume and discuss horror movies. The Scream franchise was one of the first horror movies to actively engage with its audience, and to acknowledge the existence of horror movie tropes and clichés. This meta approach to horror has become a staple of the genre, with numerous horror movies and television shows now using similar techniques. The success of the franchise also paved the way for other self-aware horror movies, such as Cabin in the Woods and Happy Death Day.

However, the impact of Ghostface is not without its controversies. The character's use of violence and gore has been criticized by some as glorifying violence against women. The franchise has also been accused of perpetuating negative stereotypes about horror fans and women in horror movies. However, others argue that the franchise subverts these stereotypes and is actually empowering for women.

To surmise, Ghostface has had a significant cultural impact on the world. The character has become an instantly recognizable symbol of horror, and has had a profound influence on the horror genre, popular culture, and the way we consume and discuss horror movies. 

Scream VI drops in theatres on March 10.