History Film / Scream2

* BoomHeadshot: [[spoiler:Mrs. Loomis]], [[GenreSavvy just in case.]]

Two years after the original killing spree in Woodsboro, Sidney Prescott (Creator/NeveCampbell) is now a college student at [[CaliforniaUniversity Windsor College]], still struggling to recover from the trauma she suffered from her dealings with Ghostface. When a slasher movie [[RippedFromTheHeadlines based on her experiences]] called ''Stab'' is released in theaters nationwide, Sydney is forced to relive the nightmare when [[JackTheRipoff a new Ghostface]] wrecks havoc on the university.

** [[spoiler:Joel]] is one due to how he disappears right before Ghostface attacks [[spoiler:Randy]] in his van, and how he decides to leave right after [[spoiler:Randy's death]]. In addition, he pulls out a knife to whittle wood, which may mislead one to believe that he is a KnifeNut. Furthermore, when Dewey and Gale figure out Ghostface records the victims before killing them, the implication is that Ghostface has to be someone with access to a camera, which includes [[spoiler:Joel]]. [[spoiler:Mickey]], the actual killer, does carry a camcorder, but the film dedicates a lot more focus to [[spoiler:Joel]] as Gale's new cameraman.

** In Randy's conversation with Dewey, Randy correctly guesses that [[spoiler:Derek]] is the RedHerring and that [[spoiler:Mickey]] is a good fit for the killer, although he drops the latter guess because he and [[spoiler:Mickey]] are both obsessed film students, making them not so different.

** [[spoiler:Randy]] gets a few dubious moments. After [[spoiler:Cici]] dies, Sidney finally spots [[spoiler:Randy]] at the Delta Lambda Zeta party and questions why he is late. Moreover, Mickey believes [[spoiler:Randy]] is a bit shady and outright compares him to Jeffrey Dahmer. Even [[spoiler:Randy]] himself admits he would make a good suspect.

** As suggested by Debbie Salt, [[spoiler:Dewey]] is the most suspicious of the returning protagonists. While the other Woodsboro survivors have legitimate if convenient reasons to be at Windsor College[[note]]Randy and Sidney are students, and Gale is a tabloid reporter who wants to report [[IfItBleedsItLeads violent news]][[/note]], Dewey's excuse is that he wants to protect Sidney, and his arrival thus surprises the other survivors. During Ghostface's attack on Sidney at the Omega Beta Zeta house, he is one of the four characters that suspiciously show up after Ghostface disappears, and some of the {{Foreshadowing}} hints that the killer is from Woodsboro.

** While he is wrong about [[spoiler:Hallie]] as a suspect, he correctly guesses that [[spoiler:one of the Ghostfaces is female as "[[{{Film/FridayThe13th1980}} Mrs. Voorhees]] was a terrific serial killer"; he unintentionally guesses that the new killer is the mother of one of the previous killers.]]

** Randy states at one point in film class [[spoiler:within earshot of Mickey]], "I'd let the geek get the girl." Later in the film, Ghostface taunts Randy by stating that Randy will never get the girl.

** Debbie Salt justifies her suspicion of [[spoiler:Dewey]] and [[spoiler:Sidney's father]] by stating that if the killer is repeating Woodsboro, the killer could be from Woodsboro themself. She's right, [[spoiler:even if the killer doesn't live there any more]].

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Implied with a mass group of people during the opening seen. Due to thinking Maureen’s murder is a stunt, they initially react with glee but then become horrified as the realize they just watched a woman get stabbed to death and did nothing.

-->'''Randy:''' "There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to create a successful sequel. Number one: the body count is always bigger. Number two: the death scenes are always much more elaborate — more blood, more gore. Carnage candy."

* AbortedArc: At one point, Gale and Dewey help the police figure out that Ghostface is killing people with the same name as the ''Film/{{Scream|1996}}'' victims. While Gale, Dewey, and Randy later have a conversation debating whether or not the CopycatKiller is indeed repeating Woodsboro, Ghostface's kill pattern is never brought up afterwards. Justified since Ghostface breaks the pattern by killing [[spoiler:Randy]] next.

** Cici and her sorority sister talk about ''Series/PartyOfFive'', which starred Creator/NeveCampbell (Sidney). Also a case of ''Main/CelebrityParadox''

* AdvertisedExtra: Jada Pinkett appears as one of the main five on the poster and is killed in the opening scene.
* AllPartOfTheShow: The death of Jada Pinkett's character is mistaken for this by the crowd in the theater, who thinks it's a publicity stunt.

* BeamMeUpScotty: A subverted in-universe example. In the film class discussion early on, Joshua Jackson's character quotes [[Franchise/{{Alien}} Ellen Ripley's]] iconic "Get away from her, you bitch!" line from ''Film/{{Aliens}}'' word for word, but then Randy attempts to correct him by saying that the line was actually "''Stay'' away from her, you bitch!". Randy, ironically, is incorrect but this isn't called out on.

* BigBadDuumvirate: Played with in this film. Due to the events of the [[Film/Scream1996 previous film]], Dewey tells Sidney there is a possibility that there may be multiple killers involved in the latest murder spree. [[spoiler:Dewey continues to follow this mindset throughout the film, so much that when Ghostface gives Derek an injury, Dewey is still suspicious since the injury wasn't anything major and it doesn't rule out the possibility that Derek had a partner give him said injury. The film also doesn't bother hiding the fact that there are two killers; for example, when Cici talks with Ghostface on the phone, [[MeaningfulBackgroundEvent the other Ghostface appears behind her while sneaking into the sorority house]]. Likewise, Ghostface later attacks Sidney in the car while another Ghostface chases Gale and Dewey on the college campus. In this film, Mickey and Mrs. Loomis are the killers. Seeing as how Mrs. Loomis actually had a reason behind all the killings, and she mentions leading Mickey on and giving him pointers, Mickey could be considered TheDragon to her BigBad.]]

* BlackDudeDiesFirst: Done, and [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]]. Two, in fact ''before'' the opening credits. [[spoiler:The second is a woman.]] On the other hand, [[spoiler: Hallie]] is one of the last victims, while [[spoiler: Joel]] outright [[DefiedTrope defies this]] by pulling a ScrewThisImOuttaHere

* BystanderSyndrome: Ghostface manages to get away after killing [[spoiler:Maureen]] in the theater despite the fact there were many other audience members around them that could have intervened. This is justified as most of the audience are paying attention to the ''Stab'' film instead and given the wild theater, saw Ghostface's murder as part of the crazy crowd's antics.

** Dewey and Gale are about to get intimate but something involving the killer interrupts them.

* CaliforniaUniversity: Though Windsor College sounds like a fictional California college, the college in the film is in Ohio, both established in script and on the film.

** Joshua Jackson, star of ''Series/DawsonsCreek'' (written by Kevin Williamson) as one of the students in Randy's film class. It’s a retroactive example as that show didn’t premiere until a month after the film’s release.

** Obviously casting Creator/SarahMichelleGellar, who was currently known as Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer, as a helpless Ghostface victim. Likewise when Cici is flicking through the TV, one of the films on is ''{{Film/Nosferatu}}'', which famously features a vampire.

** Trust Wes Craven to have the ''[[Creator/SarahMichelleGellar Slayer,]]'' about the final word in the genre at the time, killed off mid way through.
* DeathBySex: Though not confirmed until the third film. [[spoiler: Randy says he lost his virginity]] which is why he was killed.
* DoubleTap: Sidney shoots [[spoiler: Mrs Loomis]] in the head after commenting that they ''always'' come back;
--> '''Sidney''': ''[[GenreSavvy Just in case]]''

* DumbBlonde: Averted. In her first scene Cici has an intelligent discussion about the media's attitude towards violence in movies.

** Maureen states that she doesn't like horror movies because of the lack of African-American characters in them. Randy later acknowledges that slasher villains were usually white males but comments that "[[Film/FridayThe13th1980 Mrs. Vorhees]]" and "Film/{{Candyman}}'s daughter" were good twists to the slasher standard.

** While Lois and Murphy are more obvious in pressuring Sidney to join Delta Lambda Zeta, [[spoiler:Hallie]] is [[BeneathSuspicion more lowkey]], using her psychology degree and her position as Sidney's best friend to justify inviting Sidney to pledge to the sorority. Lois and Murphy also try to convince Sidney to join by informing her that [[spoiler:Derek]] is a "Delta Lambda big brother", meaning both [[spoiler:Derek and Hallie]] have ties to Delta Lambda Zeta. This revelation also explains why Ghostface kills [[spoiler:Cici]] as [[spoiler:Cici]] is from a rival sorority.

** In Randy's conversation with Dewey, Randy correctly guesses that [[spoiler:Derek]] is the RedHerring and that [[spoiler:Mickey]] is a good fit for the killer although he drops the latter guess because he and [[spoiler:Mickey]] are both obsessed film students, making them not so different.

** In the sneak preview for Stab, "Billy" reiterates to "Sidney" [[spoiler:about his mother leaving his family, as a subtle AsYouKnow clue for viewers who have not seen the first movie or might have forgotten about Billy's mother.]]

* HateSink: [[spoiler:Billy Loomis' mother turns out to be this, revealed to be the killer in this film. She tries to play for sympathy in avenging her sons death with a new killing spree, but quickly looses it when with her myopic view of things; she seems to be under the impression [[PlayingTheVictimCard she and Billy are the real victims]], with no sympathy or remorse over the people he killed, and [[NeverMyFault refuses to own up to her own failures]] as a mother, or even to how Billy turned out to be. She was also the one who [[HeroKiller kills Randy]].]]

* ItsBeenDone: When discussing the rules for sequels, Randy briefly lists Derek as a suspect, before dismissively commenting the "boyfriend as the killer" plot twist has been done already. [[spoiler:He's not the killer]].

* LightFeminineAndDarkFeminine: Hallie and Sidney fit this. Whereas Hallie wears lighter colors, Sidney wears darker colors throughout the film. The Delta Lambdas also wear lighter colors, which is appropriate since Hallie is a pledge for the aforementioned sorority while Sidney is reluctant to join, making her the outcast of the group.

* MoralMyopia: [[spoiler: Debbie wants to kill Sidney for killing Billy. Despite the fact she only did so because he was a psychotic murderer out to get her, which he became because ''she'' abandoned him.]]
* MurderSimulators: A discussion in a film class early on has several characters debating whether or not violent slasher flicks turn people violent. Later, the killer plans on blaming his killing spree on said slasher movies (such as the newly-released ''Stab''), invoking this trope in order to create a sensational trial and get the MoralGuardians on his side.
* NeedleInAStackOfNeedles: Ghostface can easily hide in the theater playing ''Stab'' because most of the patrons are likewise wearing Father Death costumes.

** As Sidney's boyfriend, [[spoiler:Derek]] becomes this when it is revealed that the new Ghostface is a CopycatKiller following in the footsteps of Billy Loomis, Sidney's previous boyfriend, and that [[spoiler:Derek]] while wounded by Ghostface [[HistoryRepeats did not suffer any major injuries]]. [[spoiler:Mickey]] further invokes this when he questions why [[spoiler:Derek]] would go back into the sorority house to fight Ghostface and later when he lies to Sidney that [[spoiler:Derek]] was his partner for the murders.
** [[spoiler:Joel]] is one due to how he disappears right before Ghostface attacks [[spoiler:Randy]] in his van and how he decides to leave right after [[spoiler:Randy's death]]. In addition, he pulls out a knife to whittle wood, which may mislead one to believe that he is a KnifeNut. Furthermore, when Dewey and Gale figure out Ghostface records the victims before killing them, the implication is that Ghostface has to be someone with access to a camera, which includes [[spoiler:Joel]]. [[spoiler:Mickey]], the actual killer, does carry a camcorder, but the film dedicates a lot more focus to [[spoiler:Joel]] as Gale's new cameraman.

** As suggested by Debbie Salt, [[spoiler:Dewey]] is the most suspicious of the returning protagonists. While the other Woodsboro survivors have legitimate if convenient reasons to be at Windsor College[[note]]Randy and Sidney are students, and Gale is a tabloid reporter who wants to report [[IfItBleedsItLeads violent news]][[/note]], Dewey's excuse is that he wants to protect Sidney, and his arrival thus surprises the other survivors. During Ghostface's attack on Sidney at the Omega Beta Zeta house, he is one of the four characters that suspiciously show up after Ghostface disappears, and some of the {{Foreshadowing}} hint that the killer is from Woodsboro.

** [[spoiler:Hallie]] is a strange example because in the original script, she was indeed one of the killers. However, due to a script leak on the internet, the writers had to [[EnforcedTrope change her role]] to maintain the shock of TheReveal. In addition, the writers removed most of the scenes that hinted that she was Ghostface as they would be considered {{Fauxshadowing}} in the final cut. As a nod to the original script, Randy brings up [[spoiler:Hallie]] as a potential suspect when explaining the rules of a slasher sequel.
** The Delta Lambda Zeta girls [[spoiler:Lois and Murphy]] are a [[DownplayedTrope more minor example]]. In their [[EstablishingCharacterMoment first scene]], they demonstrate a mysterious interest in getting Sidney to join their sorority and tell Sidney they are watching her. [[spoiler:Cici's death]] also draws a little more attention to them since [[spoiler:Cici]] is from a rival sorority. Furthermore, they make a surprise appearance after the killer flees the Omega Beta Zeta house, and the fact that they always appear together fits Ghostface's BigBadDuumvirate template. They, along with some fraternity members, are responsible for tying up Derek, which makes it possible for them to be the killers since Ghostface captures Derek for the finale.

** Randy at one point states in film class [[spoiler:within earshot of Mickey]], "I'd let the geek get the girl." Later in the film, Ghostface taunts Randy by stating that Randy will never get the girl.
** It's hard to hear what the Ghostface that kills Phil in the opening scene says. On rewatch, it's easier to make out that he's saying "Billy, don't tell Mommy what you did." This is a reference to [[spoiler:the killer being Billy's grieving mother.]]
** Debbie Salt justifies her suspicion of [[spoiler:Dewey]] and [[spoiler:Sidney's father]] by stating that if the killer is repeating Woodsboro, killer could be from Woodsboro. She's right [[spoiler:even if the killer doesn't live there any more]].

** In hindsight, Ghostface attacked [[spoiler:Cici]] not just because she had a similar name to Casey Becker but also because [[spoiler:Cici]] argued against the the idea that movies were MurderSimulators and that sequels could be superior to the original.

* SelfDeprecation: Maureen states that ''Stab'' is about dumbass white people getting killed, a not so subtle reference to the previous film's MonochromeCasting.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Additions to the main cast, namely Derek, Hallie, Mickey and Joel, fill the roles of characters from the first film, Billy, Tatum, Stu and Kenny respectively.
** [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] and subverted in the case of [[spoiler:Derek. After the events of the [[Film/Scream1996 first movie]], Sidney suspects her current boyfriend, Derek, of being a killer just like her previous boyfriend, Billy. This leads to relationship problems between Derek and her, and Sidney suspects Derek for most of the movie up until Mickey, one of the actual killers, murders Derek. It turns out that Derek was GoodAllAlong.]]

--> '''Sidney:''' [[spoiler:Cotton]]...consider [your request for an interview] done (he shoots [[spoiler: Mrs. Loomis]])
** Also, Sidney's reaction to seeing [[spoiler:Debbie Salt "...Mrs. Loomis?]]"
* WhamShot: DoubleSubverted. [[spoiler: After Mickey reveals that he has an accomplice, a door opens and Gale steps into view. There's even a dramatic {{Sting}} to emphasize the moment. But the viewer already knows that it can't be her, and she shakes her as the ''real'' accomplice steps in behind her with a gun. The reveal is accompanied by an even louder and more dramatic sting.]]

* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: [[spoiler:Mickey is "killed" by Mrs. Loomis for this purpose. He gets up for the final scare and is gunned down by Sid and Gale.]]

* BigBadDuumvirate: Played with in this film. Due to the events of the [[Film/Scream1996 previous film]], [[spoiler:Dewey tells Sidney there is a possibility that there may be multiple killers involved in the latest murder spree. Dewey continues to follow this mindset throughout the film, so much that when Ghostface gives Derek an injury, Dewey is still suspicious since the injury wasn't anything major and it doesn't rule out the possibility that Derek had a partner give him said injury. The film also doesn't bother hiding the fact that there are two killers; for example, when Cici talks with Ghostface on the phone, [[MeaningfulBackgroundEvent the other Ghostface appears behind her while sneaking into the sorority house]]. Likewise, Ghostface later attacks Sidney in the car while another Ghostface chases Gale and Dewey on the college campus. In this film, Mickey and Mrs. Loomis are the killers. Seeing as how Mrs. Loomis actually had a reason behind all the killings, and she mentions leading Mickey on and giving him pointers, Mickey could be considered TheDragon to her BigBad.]]

* MeaningfulBackgroundEvent: Ghostface sneaks into the sorority house while Cici is on the phone [[spoiler:with the other killer.]]

** [[spoiler:Hallie]] is a strange example because in the original script, she was indeed one of the killers. However, due to a ContentLeak on the internet, the writers had to [[EnforcedTrope change her role]] to maintain the shock of TheReveal. In addition, the writers removed most of the scenes that hinted that she was Ghostface as they would be considered {{Fauxshadowing}} in the final cut. As a nod to the original script, Randy brings up [[spoiler:Hallie]] as a potential suspect when explaining the rules of a slasher sequel.

** Debbie Salt justifies her suspicion of [[spoiler:Dewey]] and [[spoiler:Sidney's father]] by stating that the if the killer is repeating Woodsboro, killer could be from Woodsboro. She's right [[spoiler:even if the killer doesn't live there any more]].
** Gale jokes "I thought you looked familiar" to [[spoiler: Debbie Salt aka Mrs Loomis]]. On the first watch, it seems like a lie on Gale's part. After TheReveal, [[spoiler: Gale says "I've seen pictures"]], so she ''did'' recognize her.

** After [[spoiler: Cici Cooper]] is murdered, [[spoiler: Debbie Salt]] tells Gale that she has to go as she "has a deadline". In reality, she's actually leaving to attack Sidney.

* RippedFromTheHeadlines: [[spoiler:Mickey's plan to get Jonnie Cochran or Alan Dershowitz to defend him at his trial reeks of parallels with the OJ Simpson trial (where the former defended OJ and the latter was an advisor to the defense).]]

** While he is wrong about [[spoiler:Hallie]] as a suspect, he correctly guesses that [[spoiler:one of the Ghostfaces is female as "[[{{Film/FridayThe13th1980}} Mrs. Voorhees]] was a terrific serial killer"; on that note, he unintentionally guesses that the new killer is the mother of one of the previous killers.]]

** As suggested by Debbie Salt, [[spoiler:Dewey]] is the most suspicious of the returning protagonists. While the other Woodsboro survivors have legitimate if convenient reasons to be at Windsor College[[note]]Randy and Sidney are students, and Gale is a tabloid reporter who wants to report [[IfItBleedsItLeads violent news]][[/note]], Dewey's excuse is that he wants to protect Sidney, and his arrival thus surprises the other survivors. During Ghostface's attack on Sidney at the Omega Beta Zeta house, he is one of the four characters that suspiciously show up after Ghostface disappears, not to mention that some of the {{Foreshadowing}} hint that the killer is from Woodsboro.

** Mickey also theorizes to Derek and Hallie that [[spoiler:Randy]] could be the killer. [[spoiler:Of course, this is just him trying to [[AHouseDivided turn his friends against one another]].]]

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Additions to the main cast, namely Derek, Hallie, Mickey and Joel, pretty much fill the roles of characters from the first film, Billy, Tatum, Stu and Kenny respectively.

* WhamShot: DoubleSubverted. [[spoiler: After Mickey reveals that he has an accomplice, a door opens and Gale steps into view. There's even a dramatic {{Sting}} to emphasize the moment. But of course, the viewer already knows that it can't be her, and she shakes her as the ''real'' accomplice steps in behind her with a gun. The reveal is accompanied by an even louder and more dramatic sting.]]

** [[spoiler:Randy]] gets a few dubious moments. After [[spoiler:Cici]] dies, Sidney finally spots [[spoiler:Randy]] at the Delta Lambda Zeta party and questions why he is late. Moreover, Mickey believes [[spoiler:Randy]] is a bit shady and outright compares him to Jeffrey Dahmer. Even [[spoiler:Randy]] himself [[SelfDeprecation admits he would make a good suspect]].

** [[spoiler:Hallie]] is a strange case because in the original script, she indeed was one of the killers. However, due to a ContentLeak on the internet, the writers had to [[EnforcedTrope change her role]] to maintain the shock of TheReveal. In addition, the writers removed most of the scenes that hinted that she was Ghostface as they would be considered {{Fauxshadowing}} in the final cut. As a nod to the original script, Randy brings up [[spoiler:Hallie]] as a potential suspect when explaining the rules of a slasher sequel.

* DroppedABridgeOnHim: Arguably, [[spoiler:Randy]].

** As seen in her dorm, [[spoiler:Hallie]] owns a sweater that [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet1984 Freddy Krueger]] would wear.

** Cotton is portrayed as a jerk for his outburst to Sidney in the library. However, she named him as her mother's killer--without definite evidence--and had him put in prison on death row for a year. He's asking her to issue a formal statement so that the general public will ''stop'' treating him like he's a rapist and murderer, which they only think primarily because of Sidney's testimony. This ends up deconstructed since he is trying to get to Sidney when she is alone while there is an unidentified serial killer copying the murders of her mother and her friends. Sidney's cautious regard against him was reasonable, given the circumstances.

* PreAssKickingOneLiner: Sidney - "You're forgetting one thing about Billy Loomis: I ''fucking'' killed him!"

** [[spoiler:Randy]] gets a few dubious moments. After [[spoiler:Cici] dies, Sidney finally spots [[spoiler:Randy]] at the Delta Lambda Zeta party and questions why he is late. Moreover, Mickey believes [[spoiler:Randy]] is a bit shady and outright compares him to Jeffrey Dahmer. Even [[spoiler:Randy]] himself [[SelfDeprecation admits he would make a good suspect]].

** Cotton is portrayed as a jerk for his outburst to Sidney in the library. However, she had named him as her mother's killer--without definite evidence--and had him put in prison on death row for a year. He's asking her to issue a formal statement so that the general public will ''stop'' treating him like he's a rapist and murderer, which they only think primarily because of Sidney's testimony.
*** That might not have been the wisest way of going about it though: trying to get to Sidney when she is alone while there is an unidentified serial killer copying the murders of her mother and her friends. Sidney's cautious regard for him was reasonable, given these circumstances.

** The Delta Lambda Zeta girls [[spoiler:Lois and Murphy]] are a [[DownplayedTrope more minor example]]. In their [[CharacterEstablishingMoment first scene]], they demonstrate a mysterious interest in getting Sidney to join their sorority and tell Sidney they are watching her. [[spoiler:Cici's death]] also draws a little more attention to them since [[spoiler:Cici]] is from a rival sorority. Furthermore, they make a surprise appearance after the killer flees the Omega Beta Zeta house, and the fact that they always appear together fits Ghostface's BigBadDuumvirate template. They, along with some fraternity members, are responsible for tying up Derek, which makes it possible for them to be the killers since Ghostface captures Derek for the finale.

** Mickey also theorizes to Derek and Hallie that [[spoiler:Randy]] could be the killer. [[spoiler:Of course, this is just him trying to turn his friends against one another.]]
** After [[spoiler: Cici Cooper]] is murdered, [[spoiler: Debbie Salt]] tells Gale that she has to go as she "has a deadline". She's actually leaving to attack Sidney.

** In hindsight, Ghostface attacked [[spoiler:Cici]] not just because she had a similar name to Casey Becker but also because [[spoiler:Cici]] argued against the the idea that movies were MurderSimulators.

** As seen in her dorm, [[spoiler:Hallie]] owns a sweater that [[Film/ANightmareOnElmStreet1984 Freddy Krueger]] would wear.

** [[spoiler: Cotton's]] meeting with Sidney has [[spoiler:Cotton]] losing his temper after Sidney rejects his offer for fame and money. The film then does a close-up on his shoes, which match the killer's, and later he shows up with bloody hands. It also doesn't help that [[spoiler:Cotton]] has a grudge against Sidney for mistakenly identifying him as her mother's killer.
** [[spoiler:As Sidney's boyfriend, Derek]] becomes this when it is revealed that the new Ghostface is a copycat killer possibly following in the footsteps of [[spoiler:Billy Loomis, Sidney's previous boyfriend,]] and that [[spoiler:Derek]] while wounded by Ghostface did not suffer any major injuries. [[spoiler: Mickey also invokes this when he questions why Derek would go back into the sorority house with Ghostface and later when he lies to Sidney that Derek was his partner for the murders.]]
** [[spoiler:Joel]] is one due to how he disappears right before Ghostface attacks [[spoiler:Randy]] in his van and how he decides to leave right after [[spoiler:Randy's death.]] Furthermore, when Dewey and Gale figure out Ghostface records the victims before killing them, the implication is that Ghostface has to be someone with access to a camera, which includes [[spoiler:Joel]]. [[spoiler:Mickey, the actual killer, does carry a camcorder, but the film dedicates a lot more focus to Joel as Gale's new cameraman]].
** At one point, Debbie Salt suggests to Gale that [[spoiler:Sidney's father]], who is out of country, and [[spoiler:Dewey]], who seemingly showed up to Windsor college for no particular reason, are potential suspects. [[spoiler:Like Mickey, Salt gave Gale disingenuous advice to spread distrust among the Woodsboro survivors.]]

** Randy at one point states in film class [[spoiler:within earshot of Mickey]], "I'd let the geek get the girl." [[spoiler:Later in the film, Ghostface taunts Randy by stating that Randy will never get the girl.]]

** Debbie Salt's line about how the killer could be from Woodsboro. [[spoiler:She's right, even if the killer doesn't live there any more]].
** Gale jokes "I thought you looked familiar" to [[spoiler: Debbie Salt aka Mrs Loomis]]. On the first watch it seems like a lie on Gale's part. After TheReveal [[spoiler: Gale says "I've seen pictures"]] - so she ''did'' recognize her.
** [[spoiler:Debbie Salt]] keeps away from the confrontation between Gale and Sidney at the start. [[spoiler:She doesn't want to risk Sidney recognizing her]].
** Mickey's line "Why would anyone go back in that house anyway?" [[spoiler: He's deliberately trying to make Sidney think Derek is the killer]].
** After [[spoiler: Cici Cooper]] is murdered, [[spoiler: Debbie Salt]] tells Gale that she has to go as she "has a deadline". [[spoiler:She's actually leaving to attack Sidney.]]
** After the opening murders, [[spoiler:Mickey's]] knuckles are bruised, which are best seen when [[spoiler:Mickey]] takes out his camcorder to record Randy.

* FiveSecondForeshadowing: When Dewey goes against Gale's idea of figuring out Ghostface's kill pattern, Gale angry asks him if they should "wait and see who drops next". She says this immediately before [[spoiler:Randy answers a call from Ghostface and becomes Ghostface's next victim]].

* AbortedArc: At one point, Gale and Dewey help the police figure out that Ghostface is killing people with the same name as the ''Film/{{Scream|1996}}'' victims. While Gale, Dewey, and Randy later have a conversation discussing whether or not they can figure out Ghostface's next move if the CopycatKiller is indeed repeating Woodsboro, Ghostface's kill pattern is never brought up again. Justified since Ghostface breaks the pattern by killing [[spoiler:Randy]] next.

** In Randy's conversation with Dewey, Randy correctly guesses that [[spoiler:Derek]] is the RedHerring and that [[spoiler:Mickey]] is a good fit for the killer although he drops the latter guess because he and [[spoiler:Mickey]] are the same.

** A minor example would be the Woodsboro survivors' argument over the motive of the recent murders. Initially, Gale and Dewey believe the the murders to be a copycat crime due to the similarities in the names of the first three victims from the original murder spree in ''Film/{{Scream|1996}}'' and from the recent murder spree. However, the attack on Sidney prompts Dewey to point out the inconsistency and Randy to note that the killer is "trying to finish what was started". [[spoiler:This is due to the two killers' different motives for the murders.]]

* HollywoodDarkness: The interior of the movie theatre. They have a special gimmick of making the Ghostface masks glow in the dark - but the place is only just slightly darker than average.
* HollywoodHealing: Averted. Dewey has a limp from his stab wound in the first film - which is two years ago.

* AbortedArc: As soon as the police figure out that Ghostface is killing people with the same name as the ''Film/{{Scream|1996}}'' victims, it gets forgotten. Justified since Ghostface breaks the pattern by killing [[spoiler:Randy]] next.

** Cici and her sorority sister talk about ''Series/PartyOfFive'' - which starred Creator/NeveCampbell (Sidney).
*** Also a case of ''Main/CelebrityParadox''

** Obviously casting Creator/SarahMichelleGellar - who was currently known as Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer - as a helpless Ghostface victim. Likewise when Cici is flicking through the TV, one of the films on is ''{{Film/Nosferatu}}'' - about a vampire.

** Dewey gets annoyed at how Gale wrote him in her book. Despite being the only policeman on duty during a homicide situation, he ended up incapacitated - leaving it to a teenager to stop the killers. He didn't actually do anything to help the case at all.
** Cotton is portrayed as a jerk for his outburst to Sidney in the library. However she had named him as her mother's killer - without definite evidence - and had him put in prison on death row for a year. He's asking her to issue a formal statement so that the general public will ''stop'' treating him like he's a rapist and murderer - which they only think primarily because of Sidney's testimony.
*** That might not have been the wisest way of going about it, though: trying to get to Sidney when she is alone while there is an unidentified serial killer copying the murders of her mother and her friends. Sidney's cautious regard for him was reasonable, given these circumstances.

* FiveSecondForeshadowing: When Dewey goes against Gale's idea of figuring Ghostface's kill pattern, Gale angry asks him if they should "wait and see who drops next". She says this immediately before [[spoiler:Randy answers a call from Ghostface and becomes Ghostface's next victim]].

* AbortedArc: As soon as the police figure out that the killer is [[spoiler:killing people with the same name as the ''Film/{{Scream}}'' victims]], it gets forgotten.

* {{Foreshadowing}}:

* IfItBleedsItLeads: The killer [[spoiler:(at least, one of them)]] planned on invoking this in order to get himself media publicity and a sensational trial. [[spoiler:The other killer shoots him and mocks his goals as "a product of the 90's".

* IfItBleedsItLeads: The killer [[spoiler:(at least, one of them)]] planned on invoking this in order to get himself media publicity and a sensational trial.

*** There's also a further reference to ''Film/FridayThe13th1980'' that foreshadows the twist when the drunk sister talking to Cici says "killkillkilldiediedie" on the phone, mimicking Jason's leitmotif from the franchise. [[spoiler:And the killer is the grieving mother, like Pamela Voorhees in the first ''Film/FridayThe13th1980''.]]

* EsotericHappyEnding: WebVideo/CinemaSins rightfully [[https://youtu.be/rfMJ-DylWBs?t=1109 points out]] that the "happy ending" of Sidney surviving yet again and walking off across campus to a peppy song on the soundtrack is tarnished by the fact everyone she was friends with in the first and second films are all ''dead,'' not to mention all the people that died by proxy simply for being associated with her or even in just the same general vicinity. She's all alone. Pretty much the only people she has left in her life are [[spoiler: Dewey, Gale, and Cotton,]] of whom only the first might be considered an actual friend. Though RealityEnsues comes 'Film/{{Scream 3}}'' when it's revealed Sidney has become a paranoid recluse thanks to all the trauma, so really what happened is all acknowledged.