Ghostface (Scream)

"Ghost Face" redirects here. For other uses, see Ghostface.

Ghostface
Scream character
Ghostface as they appear throughout Scream franchise
First appearanceScream (1996)
Created byKevin Williamson
Portrayed by
Voiced by
Stunt actors
  • Lee Waddell (1996–1997)
  • Dane Farwell (1996–1997, 2011)
  • Tony Cecere (1996)
  • Allen Robinson (1997)
  • Chris Durand (1997)
  • Chris Doyle (1997)
  • TJ White (1997)
  • Ted Barba (1997)
  • Rick Barker (1997)
  • Kurt Bryant (1997)
  • Brian Avery (2000)
  • Jeff Brockton (2000)
  • William Scharpf (2019)
  • Keith Ward (2022)
  • Paul Burke (2022)
  • Max Laferriere (2023)
  • Mathieu Coderre (2023)
In-universe information
Alias
  • The Voice
  • Father Death
  • The Icon of Halloween[3]
NationalityAmerican
PathologySerial killer
Signature weaponBuck 120 knife
M.O.Taunting victims with phone calls, stabbing, throat slitting, disemboweling (gutting), clearing knife of blood
Notable adversary
LocationWoodsboro, California[4]
Windsor College, Ohio[5]
Hollywood, California[6]
Atlanta, Georgia[7]
New York, New York[8]
Part of a series on
Costume
Background
Society and culture
Design
Elements and methods
Traditional
Theatrical
Period
Children
Fictional
Organizations
Awards
People
Museums

Ghostface (alternatively stylized as Ghost Face or GhostFace) is a fictional identity that is adopted by the primary antagonists of the Scream franchise. The figure was originally created by Kevin Williamson, and is primarily mute in person but voiced over the phone by Roger L. Jackson, regardless of who is behind the mask (as all killers use a voice changer utilizing that exact voice, starting in person with Scream 2). The disguise has been adopted by various characters in the movies and in the third season of the television series.

Ghostface debuted in Scream (1996) as a disguise used by teenagers Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), during their killing spree in the fictional town of Woodsboro.[9] The mask was a popular Halloween costume created and designed by Fun World costume company before being chosen by Marianne Maddalena and Craven for the film. The identity is used primarily as a disguise for the antagonists of each film to conceal their identities while conducting serial murders, and as such has been portrayed by several actors.

In the Scream universe, the costume is not unique and is easily obtainable, allowing others to wear a similar outfit. Ghostface often calls their targets to taunt or threaten them while using a voice changer that hides their true identity. In Scream 3, this is taken further when Ghostface uses a device that enables him to sound like several other characters, in order to manipulate targets. The changing identity of the person beneath the mask means that Ghostface has no definite motivation, ranging from revenge and seeking fame to peer pressure. In the first three movies, each killer shares the common goal of killing Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) due to a chain of events that started when Sidney's estranged half-brother, Roman Bridger (Scott Foley), told Billy his father had had an affair with Sidney's mother Maureen (Lynn McRee). In the fourth movie, Sidney's cousin is jealous of Sidney's notoriety and plans to kill her so she too can become famous. In the fifth and sixth films, the focus shifts to Billy's daughter, Samantha "Sam" Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and her half-sister, Tara (Jenna Ortega), who are targeted due to their connection to Billy. In these later installments, the new Ghostface killers have motives that may sometimes be connected to the in-universe Stab film series, loose adaptations of the tell-all books about previous Ghostface killings by Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), with Sam also assuming the Ghostface mantle herself in the sixth film in order to kill the mastermind Ghostface; other new killers would often be family members of previous Ghostfaces, seeking revenge for the death of their own loved ones.

The Ghostface persona remains the same throughout the Scream series, featuring a black hood and cloak with a jagged base and a white rubber mask resembling a ghost with an anguish expression. Though each iteration of Ghostface is human, they often exhibit extreme durability against physical harm, high levels of physical strength, and an almost supernatural stealth ability, able to appear and disappear in seemingly impossible situations. The character has become a popular culture icon since its inception, referenced in film and television as well as spawning a series of action figures and merchandise, as well as parodies and titular spoofs.

In the 2015–2016 television series Scream, Ghostface is adapted as the Lakewood Slasher, who appeared in the series for the first two seasons, and the Shallow Grove Slasher, who appeared in the Halloween special episodes of the second season; both are voiced by Mike Vaughn, with a different mask due to copyright issues. The original Ghostface persona returned in Scream: Resurrection,[10] once again voiced by Roger L. Jackson, replacing Vaughn.[11][12][13] In the movies, Ghostface has appeared in all entries to date, returning most recently in Scream VI, with Jackson reprising his role, now credited as "The Voice".[14]

  1. ^ a b "Voice Of Ghostface - Scream franchise | Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018. Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  2. ^ "Scream Directors Reveal Original Stars Drew Barrymore, Matthew Lillard Have Cameos in 5th Movie". Peoplemag.
  3. ^ "Ghostface News". Ghostface.co.uk. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  4. ^ Wes Craven (Director) (1996). Scream (DVD). United States: Dimension Films.
  5. ^ Wes Craven (Director) (1997). Scream 2 (DVD). United States: Dimension Films.
  6. ^ Wes Craven (Director) (2000). Scream 3 (DVD). United States: Dimension Films.
  7. ^ "MTV moves 'Scream' to Atlanta from Louisiana for third season". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  8. ^ "New York City's no match for Ghostface in Scream VI's new trailer". The Verge. January 19, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2023. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Roth, Rachel (October 20, 2020). "Who Is Behind Each Ghostface Attack in Scream". CBR.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Michael (September 18, 2017). "Scream Season 3 to Feature Classic Ghostface Mask". Screenrant. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  11. ^ Keke Palmer Talks Sexual Harassment, New Music, Berlin Station, Star, Horror Movies & More. YouTube. October 14, 2017. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference GhostfaceTVS3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (June 24, 2019). "'Scream' Reboot Moves to VH1, Gets July Debut, Trailer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  14. ^ Collis, Clark (December 14, 2022). "See a new-look Ghostface mask in exclusive Scream VI photo". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2023.


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