MovieChat Forums > Scream (1996) Discussion > Who killed who in the opening scene is s...

Who killed who in the opening scene is so obvious


It's obvious they were both there: The writer said they were + The fact that they both reference the phone trivia stuff from the opening scene ("If you get it wrong you die, and if you get it right... you die!") makes it feel like they're referencing something they were both apart of. Plus there's evidence in the scene of two people being there if you pay close enough attention

Billy was the caller: Billy's voice tone at the end of the movie matches the killer's tone in the opening scene perfectly. Calm and threatening, with the occasional outburst in anger. Stu was more hyper aggressive and out of control.

Stu did the murders: Duh. He had the motive. Plus Casey saw the killer's face in her last moments, is it not more tragic to realize that it's your ex-boyfriend that's killing you?

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I agree, they were both there. Ghostface moves way too quickly for there to be only one person. Yes, Stu killed Casey. Kevin Williamson said he was the killer and it certainly is more tragic if that's the case. Billy was on the phone, although I wouldn't pay too much importance to the voice since Ghostface was dubbed by a voice actor. I think Billy made most of the calls because he's the type of person who likes to be in control. Stu was there to do the dirty work, Billy was more interested in getting back at Sidney anyway.

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I thought that Williamson also said that Stu was the caller in that scene and that Bill was the one who attacked at the window. I've always thought that it was Stu who killed both Casey and Steve.

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I only recall the one tweet where he answered the question who killed Casey:

https://mobile.twitter.com/kevwilliamson/status/6241841021

Stu had a motive to kill those two and was more of a thrill killer, so I also think Stu did it.

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Wes Craven directed the movie in a certain way so the viewer could pick up on things if they paid close enough attention. Billy prefers to stab, & holds his knife with one hand. Stu prefers to slice, & holds his knife with both hands. Billy was the caller yes, but Stu was stunned by Casey hitting him with the phone, prompting Billy to go after her. We know Billy kills Casey due to the way he is holding the knife. Stu had to be the one who kills Steve due to Billy being on the phone, & Stu preferring to slice.

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This is just fans overthinking matters and finding things that aren't there. Wes Craven didn't direct it with any intentions on who was under the mask at what time

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Yes he did. Give it another watch. When Ghostface attacks Sidney in her home he headbutts Sidney. The next day at school Stu is shown checking his forehead in Tatum's mirror. Also when Ghostface is chasing Sidney up the stairs, Stu's voice is heard saying "easy, easy". A line which he repeats when Tatum hits him with her sucker in the hall at school. In the North American VHS Director's Cut Craven even went as far to remove the scene where Stu pumps his arm in excitement that the girls agree to come to the party because he felt it made it too obvious. Wes Craven knew exactly what he was doing.

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Not sure if Stu is really checking his forehead or just admiring himself. It is true they used audio of Stu's voice, but I think it's obvious Billy couldn't have been Ghostface in that scene anyway. I think you're overthinking the rest, though. I don't think that while filming they really decided which one of them was in costume at what point (it's still pretty unclear who stabbed Dewey in the doorway, for example) and I really don't think they paid attention to the little details you mentioned. Besides, Williamson has said Stu killed Casey.

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Its clear that Stu is thoroughly checking his forehead in that scene. Yes we know that Billy couldn't have been Ghostface in that scene which was my point in how Stu holds the knife. As far as Kevin Williamson saying that "Stu killed Casey" I understand that. But anyone who knows anything about film, knows that what is in the final product is up to the Director, not the screenwriter. There were many modifications that Craven made to the script. Just couple of examples are him adding in the scene where the principle gets killed because he felt there was too much of a time gap between deaths. Also he completely removed a scene where Billy & Stu had a conversation that made it obvious they were the killers. Also if you are insinuating that me referencing the fact that Craven intentionally removed Stu's arm pumping in the VHS Director's Cut is me "looking too much into it", go watch the audio commentary & see for yourself.

Its pretty head scratching that people forget how much of a genius that Wes Craven was. However at the same time, this is a 90s teen slasher guys, & we all have fully developed adult brains. Its not hard to see past the surface.

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"Its clear that Stu is thoroughly checking his forehead in that scene"

You're making things up.

I'm not talking about hints that they were the killers, but details that supposedly point to who was in costume at what time, like the way they hold the knife.

"Its pretty head scratching that people forget how much of a genius that Wes Craven was"

If that's the case, then why, for example, is there no explanation why the garage door was still down even though Tatum went to push the button right before? And as much as I love Scream 2, the finale is a complete mess. Also, almost nothing about A Nightmare on Elm Street makes sense.

Williamson has said it was Stu and you have no proof whatsoever that Craven changed this.

"we all have fully developed adult brains. Its not hard to see past the surface."

Come on, it should be possible to discuss this without being a condescending prick.

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If you want to believe that Craven had no intention of the audience figuring out who it was behind the mask in each scene or that I'm making it up that's fine. Anyone who is anyone knows that the final product is up to the director, not the screenwriter. A perfect example of this is BladeRunner. The writer & director had two different visions. You are grasping at straws & trying to pull this discussion in different directions, which is what people do when trying to argue with logical points. You really need to watch that Director's commentary, as well as some of the interviews & documentaries that have come out over the years.

Based on your latest response I'm also not 100% sure that you fully understand some of my points. I'm going to link you a couple of videos that explain my points with a little more detail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MUt5FNocqs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj1YJSeP4qs&t=4s

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"If you want to believe that Craven had no intention of the audience figuring out who it was behind the mask in each scene or that I'm making it up that's fine."

Can you read? That was not what I said you were making up. I also did not say that Craven never had that intention, just not for each time Ghostface was on screen.

"You are grasping at straws & trying to pull this discussion in different directions, which is what people do when trying to argue with logical points. You really need to watch that Director's commentary, as well as some of the interviews & documentaries that have come out over the years."

I'm grasping at straws??? Lol, that's funny coming from a guy who uses the way they hold the knife as the argument that's supposed to rule all other arguments. I actually go by quotes from those involved and what's directly implied in the movie. But if you have actual quotes to support your claim, please go ahead and post them. That would be much better than the arguments you've used so far.

I've discussed this issue for years back on IMDb, I don't need to see any fan videos. If you want to continue the discussion, it would be best to point out what I supposedly misunderstood.

And again, a little less condescending and a little more to the point, please?

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Dude, watch the videos I provided as well as the DVD Directors commentary lol.

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Dude, just point out what I misunderstood and support your claims with actual quotes. That's how you conduct an proper discussion.

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Okay buddy. The videos in which I linked explain in detail the points that I tried to make about the clues as to who is behind the mask in each scene, which is what you are asking. You seem hellbent on saying that I don't know what I'm talking about so if you & I want to get on the same page perhaps watching the videos would be a good idea. If not perhaps we should end the discussion?

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Is there a reason you can't say it in your own words on this message board? I'm not going to waste my time watching a fan video waiting for evidence I don't even know is ever presented. In the description the guy even admits to speculation. I've seen many, many theories throughout the years, I don't need to see more of those, just the facts. If you've got a quote, then please just post it. If I misunderstood something, then just point it out directly. I seriously don't see what the issue is here.

And please stop it with "dude" and "buddy", I'm a lady, okay?

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They actually admitted on the director's commentary that they didn't put any thought into who was killing who or who was doing what in which scene (beyond the obvious, of course.)

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The final product is often not up to the director. If it were, then you wouldn't see theatrical releases of movies only to have a Directors Cut to be released later.

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I think that there was one at each door, so there was no way Casey would have ever gotten the answer right unless she said "Both".

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Indeed.

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Definitely. The fact that they tell Sidney that same thing at the end ("If you get it wrong you die, and if you get it right, you die!") is aclear indication that they were planning to kill Casey no matter what.

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I always thought it was a bang to start the film.
They killed Drew Barrymore. The Poster girl.
And the Reference to the title was really disturbing.

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I still can't believe she didn't know the killer from Friday the 13th, despite the fact she said she saw the movie "20 goddamn times."

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I think she only saw the 20 sequels.

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I agree, it’s always been pretty obvious to me. I don’t understand how people can be so hung up on the way the killer holds the knife that they’ll ignore the obvious.

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