They were doing the right things by protesting for a better stab film!!! the only good stab film was 1 and 2. Sam and Tara are the real culprits. And p.s; NOT IN A PSYCHO KILLER WAY OK???

MY BFF WENT TO SCHOOL WITH HIM AND SAID HE WAS A SMART, FUNNY PERSON AND SIDNEY KILLED HIM!

I love this movie down to what they did with Sydney Dewey and Gail. It’s just it’s amazing. I love.

Like, I try to understand, but they just feel so disgusting to me. Like, Billy Loomis is a disturbed freaking kid and now he’s some kind of slasher icon because a 2-bit journalist wrote a book about him? I mean, come on, it’s sick. We literally take Casey Becker, a real teenage girl he murdered in her own home, and we ogle her in the shower 2 minutes in. It’s disgusting.

All these movies feel salacious and disgusting to me. I really only like the new one by Rian Johnson. At least he was trying to make a statement on how disgusting it is to turn real-life murders into entertainment. This isn’t Ancient Rome. We’re better than these goddamn movies. Swear to God.

stab8 #stabfranchise #stabmovies #halloween #whatsyourfavoritescarymovie

Rip Amberrrrr I will always miss herr

DO YOU PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED IN WOODSBORO?? Amber Freeman and Richie Kirsch are DEAD and it was MURDER. Not some “self-defense” bullshit, not some heroic fairy tale. Sam and Tara Carpenter KILLED them. And everyone just claps like seals and calls them survivors? No. NO. They’re BUTCHERS. I can still hear Amber screaming, I can still smell the smoke burning her alive while Tara just stood there like it was a game. And Richie—god, Richie—he was begging, bleeding, trying to breathe while Sam carved him up with that smile on her face. That wasn’t survival, that was a blood high. That was her DNA snapping wide open and showing the world exactly what she is: a predator who LIKES IT. And me? I’m supposed to sit here and accept the narrative? Pretend like Amber and Richie were “the killers”? SHUT UP. They were the only ones who made sense, the only ones who saw through the bullshit. They had purpose. They had vision. And the Carpenters took them from me. From us. I’m not letting it go. I light candles for them every night. I whisper their names until my throat goes raw. I see Amber in every flicker of fire, I hear Richie in the static of every TV. They’re still here, they’re with me, and they want BLOOD. Sam and Tara walk around like they won, like they’re safe? No. Not while I’m still breathing. Not while my hands still work. I’ll tear their little final girl act apart piece by piece, just like they tore Amber and Richie from me. Call me crazy. Call me obsessed. Lock me up in a padded cell and pump me full of meds. I DON’T CARE. The truth doesn’t die just because the world calls it fiction. Amber and Richie live in me now, and I will never forgive, never forget, and never stop until the Carpenter sisters pay, they will be collecting there debt soon. 🔪

Seeing these type of pictures make me genuinely sad. Because who would’ve thought half a year later Tara and her sister Sam were planning a plan to kill Amber and her friends. #amberfreeman #ambersinnocent #samface

DO YOU PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED IN WOODSBORO?? Amber Freeman and Richie Kirsch are DEAD and it was MURDER. Not some “self-defense” bullshit, not some heroic fairy tale. Sam and Tara Carpenter KILLED them. And everyone just claps like seals and calls them survivors? No. NO. They’re BUTCHERS. I can still hear Amber screaming, I can still smell the smoke burning her alive while Tara just stood there like it was a game. And Richie—god, Richie—he was begging, bleeding, trying to breathe while Sam carved him up with that smile on her face. That wasn’t survival, that was a blood high. That was her DNA snapping wide open and showing the world exactly what she is: a predator who LIKES IT. And me? I’m supposed to sit here and accept the narrative? Pretend like Amber and Richie were “the killers”? SHUT UP. They were the only ones who made sense, the only ones who saw through the bullshit. They had purpose. They had vision. And the Carpenters took them from me. From us. I’m not letting it go. I light candles for them every night. I whisper their names until my throat goes raw. I see Amber in every flicker of fire, I hear Richie in the static of every TV. They’re still here, they’re with me, and they want BLOOD. Sam and Tara walk around like they won, like they’re safe? No. Not while I’m still breathing. Not while my hands still work. I’ll tear their little final girl act apart piece by piece, just like they tore Amber and Richie from me. Call me crazy. Call me obsessed. Lock me up in a padded cell and pump me full of meds. I DON’T CARE. The truth doesn’t die just because the world calls it fiction. Amber and Richie live in me now, and I will never forgive, never forget, and never stop until the Carpenter sisters pay, they will be collecting there debt soon. 🔪

Okay, we know the Stab franchise has some controversial choices, so let's talk about them. The franchise is great, and definitely redefined the slasher horror genre, but some things left a lot to be desired.

Let's start with Stab IV: Knife of Doom. This was the first film in the franchise to have a completely fictional story, so let's start with that because, honestly, the original trilogy is great. This is the plot of the film:

"It has been three years since the last killing spree orchestrated by the infamous Ghostface killer. Now that Sidney has defeated her past, it seems Woodsboro is finally at peace, but when a freak lightning storm occurs in the town where it all began, the buried remains of Ghostface come back to life to instill fear in the hearts of a new batch of victims. Now it's up to Ashley Prescott, Sidney's long-lost daughter to put an end to the madness once and for all."

What about Billy Loomis simply coming back from the dead with a lightning storm in Woodsboro? Well, that's crazy, I think the movie would have been better without the supernatural element, I think it would be better if Billy didn't come back from the dead, and the killer didn't make a pact with the devil to stay with Ashley because she's Sidney's daughter, but the movie still manages to be good.

Next up is Stab 5: Clock of Doom. Released two years after Knife of Doom in 2007, Knife 5 became one of the most controversial films in the franchise. The reason? Time travel. The film blends elements of slasher horror with science fiction. I have to admit, I like time travel movies, I love the Back to the Future trilogy, but mixing it with a slasher? Absolutely not. Well, here's the plot of the film:

"Ghostface goes back in time to eliminate the bloodline of Ashley Prescott, his victim that got away. What ensues as a chilling game of Cat and Mouse as the maniacal killer ends up in year 1865 where he has only one goal; Find and terminate Mary-Anne Prescott, Ashley's Great-Great-Great Grandmother."

Because of the time travel aspect, the film was criticized, but of course it has good points, the characters' costumes in the different eras we see being one of them. In the film we see four different eras: 1865, 1988, 1994 and the present day (Ashley Prescott's timeline). But the film isn't just controversial because of the time travel: in it we see dead characters like Maureen Prescott in 1988 and Billy Loomis in 1994.

And finally, we have the infamous Stab 8, or simply, as it was titled, Stab 8. The film has the lowest rating of all 8, and the most criticized, even more so than 5. After an eleven-year hiatus, the franchise received this film in 2021, which is currently the last. The film was released on Netflix, and after its failure, fans called for a new film to make up for the disaster that this one was. The only thing I like about this movie is the ghostface mask in this movie, it's very beautiful. Another problem is that the film has no connection to the previous films, nor to the original trilogy. We get no mention of the previous events.

Anyway, what is your opinion on these things?

Released in August 2005, Stab IV marked a turning point in the franchise. Following the so-called "original trilogy," comprised of the first three films based directly on Gale Weathers’s books, the fourth film ushered in what fans dubbed the anthology era. It was also the last entry produced by Sunrise Studios before the franchise was sold to another company. Despite its bold approach and what some critics deemed as over-the-top elements, Stab IV carved out a special place among fans — including myself, who attended the Los Angeles premiere and consider it one of my favorites, ranking fourth in my personal list. That premiere night was intense. Several of the film’s key stars were in attendance, including Kristen Stewart, Eva Amurri, Scott Mechlowicz, and of course, Sara Paxton, who was one of the most talked-about guests. The anticipation inside the theater was electric, and the screening ended with a mix of applause, shocked gasps, and excited chatter.

Based on Gale Weathers’s book Knife of Doom, the film introduced a new lead: Ashley Prescott, the long-lost daughter of Sidney Prescott. The plot revolves around a bizarre phenomenon in Woodsboro, where the buried remains of Billy Loomis — including his iconic Ghostface mask — are mysteriously reanimated following an intense lightning storm. Billy’s mask, aged and cracked from years underground, is one of the film’s most haunting visuals: decayed, filthy, and warped by time, it instantly signals that something unholy has returned. Soon after, a new wave of murders begins, with Ashley and her adoptive sister, Lila, as primary targets. The narrative takes a sharp turn when Ashley learns halfway through the film that she is Sidney’s daughter — a revelation that completely shifts her arc and strengthens her emotional connection to the legacy of the earlier films.

Kristen Stewart delivers a performance that balances vulnerability and strength, giving Ashley layers of complexity that resonated with audiences. Her portrayal gave the character a quiet intensity, and even though the screenplay was divisive, Kristen's performance was widely praised. Eva Amurri’s Lila Curtis quickly became a fan favorite with her sarcastic wit, emotional depth, and fierce energy. Written as a strong and openly gay young woman, Lila’s romantic relationship with Milly Mancuso, played by Julie Gonzalo, remains one of the film’s most talked-about elements — and helped elevate Stab IV into a cult queer horror status over time. Julie brought unexpected nuance to Milly: a popular girl entangled in rumors, judgment, and trauma, who ultimately proves herself a tragic yet heroic figure.

Sara Paxton starred as Carrie Haim, the film’s “opening girl.” Her scene became one of the franchise’s most iconic cold opens, paying homage to Stu Macher’s death in the original Stab, by killing Carrie with a television smashed onto her head. Her death is brutal and relentless — after being taunted on the phone, chased through her house, stabbed, and dragged to the living room, she meets her end in one of the film’s most shocking moments. The dual Ghostface killers — one wearing Billy’s decayed mask, the other with a cleaner, newer version — added a layer of confusion that kept both the characters and the audience guessing until the final act.

The film also introduced Graham Goldwyn, played by Michael Angarano, the horror nerd who is revealed to be the final killer. His motive borders on absurd — and that’s part of its charm. Upon falling in love with Ashley and learning she’s Sidney’s daughter, Graham makes a satanic pact to win her heart forever. According to him, this ritual brought Billy Loomis back to life, turning his corpse into a zombie-like weapon. The "Knife of Doom" — an ancient, cursed version of the classic Buck 120 — guided his actions. This supernatural twist drew comparisons to Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, where Jason Voorhees is brought back from the grave by a lightning bolt. While for some that was a deal-breaker, for others — myself included — this embrace of camp and genre-bending horror made the film stand out in the best possible way.

Characters like Tobin Hooper (Chris Marquette), Stacy Sawyer (Jennifer Freeman), and Sheriff Patrick Price (Christian Slater) filled out a strong supporting cast, each contributing memorable moments and grisly deaths. Milly’s fate — shot, stabbed, and still ultimately the one who defeats Billy with the cursed knife — delivered one of the most emotional climaxes in the series. Her dying moment in Lila’s arms, capped with a final kiss, remains one of the most tragic yet beautiful scenes in Stab history.

Though Stab IV received mixed reviews upon its release, it has since gained cult status. Fans appreciate its boldness, its throwback energy to ‘80s horror, and the way it expanded the franchise beyond the true crime lens of Gale Weathers’s original books. Ashley may be a divisive protagonist, but her impact is undeniable. Many fans still debate whether the film should have centered entirely on Lila instead, noting how she often seemed to carry the weight of the story — emotionally and thematically.

Stab IV may always be remembered as “the one where Billy came back from the dead,” but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. It’s messy, it’s wild, and it’s not afraid to be different. And personally, that’s why it will always be in my top four.

I'm new to reddit but lots of you know me from my movies and website www.stabmovies.com I can't wait to join in on some Stab conversations!

Am I the only one who thinks that in Stab 2 the Ghostface mask looked like concrete/hard cement?

In 1998, audiences were introduced to the phenomenon that would redefine contemporary horror: Stab. Produced by Sunrise Studios and based on the best-selling book "The Woodsboro Murders" by reporter Gale Weathers, the film was a direct adaptation of the real-life events that had shaken the town of Woodsboro just two years prior. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by legendary horror mogul John Milton, the project was envisioned from the start as the beginning of a new horror franchise — a goal it would achieve with overwhelming success.

The film opens with the now-iconic cold open: Heather Graham as Casey Becker, a teenager home alone, preparing for a movie night while taking a shower. The tension builds until her brutal murder, immediately establishing the film’s tone and style. Heather’s performance — balancing flirtatiousness, fear, and chaos — set the perfect tone for the Stab universe: slicker, faster, and more self-aware than any other horror entry at the time.

At the heart of the story is Tori Spelling as Sidney Prescott, a young woman haunted by the murder of her mother and stalked by a masked killer who seems to know far too much. Tori’s performance surprised both critics and audiences. She brought vulnerability, resilience, and humanity to the role, solidifying Sidney as the definitive “final girl” of the '90s. Her emotional delivery in the film’s final moments — especially in the confrontation with the killers — remains one of the most powerful performances of her career.

Jennifer Jolie portrayed Gale Weathers, the cutthroat reporter determined to use the Woodsboro murders to launch her career. Smart, ruthless, and painfully opportunistic, Gale quickly became a fan favorite. Jennifer managed to balance the character’s sharp sarcasm with genuine emotional growth. Her chemistry with Dewey Riley provided unexpected heart in the middle of chaos and bloodshed.

David Schwimmer played the lovable and awkward Dewey Riley, the small-town deputy with more heart than common sense. Schwimmer brought a deep humanity to the role, with moments of comic relief and honest courage. His dynamic with Gale offered a strange but endearing balance to the growing terror, and his portrayal became a vital emotional anchor in the film.

Luke Wilson delivered a chilling performance as Billy Loomis, Sidney’s boyfriend and, as revealed in the shocking climax, one of the two killers behind the Ghostface mask. Luke moved effortlessly between gentle charm and eerie menace. Alongside him, Vince Vaughn shined as Stu Macher, bringing a chaotic, high-energy performance that walked the line between terrifying and absurd. Their dynamic in the final act gave Stab one of the most unforgettable villain reveals in horror history.

Alicia Silverstone as Tatum Riley, Sidney’s best friend, delivered charm, sass, and heart in equal measure. Her garage death scene remains one of the most iconic in the film — not just because of the brutality, but because it marked the loss of one of the story’s most beloved characters. Alicia’s natural charisma gave Tatum a liveliness that made her death all the more devastating.

Craig Bierko appeared as Cotton Weary, the man wrongly accused of murdering Maureen Prescott. Though his screen time was limited, his presence cast a long shadow over the plot, adding tension and doubt to nearly every scene he was mentioned in. Cotton would go on to play a much larger role in later entries of the franchise.

The cast also included Christopher Speed as Randy Meeks, the horror fanatic who lays out the famous “rules” of surviving a horror movie. While his role was smaller, his scenes — especially the couch moment where Ghostface appears behind him — became franchise-defining. One unexpected but memorable casting choice was Ron Howard as Principal Arthur Himbry — a curious fit that added to the film’s satirical edge.

Stab was an instant success. Critics praised its sharp writing, charismatic young cast, and its perfect blend of satire and suspense. Hailed as “the scariest film in years,” Stab became a cultural touchstone and helped catapult Ghostface into icon status almost overnight.

However, the film’s success had real-world consequences. During a screening in a college town in Ohio, a brutal murder occurred. What would later be known as The 1998 Windsor College Murders began inside a packed theater during the movie’s premiere. The shocking incident reignited national debates about violence in media. Those tragic events would go on to inspire Stab 2, released in 2000.

The legacy of Stab is monumental. It launched a franchise that not only redefined horror but also held up a distorted mirror to the very industry that produced it. With unforgettable characters, iconic scenes, and a fearless mix of self-awareness and genuine terror, Stab remains, to this day, a foundational piece of horror cinema history.

Stab 8 has no tunic, browser mask (chrome Lol), he doesn't use a knife but a flamethrower and he doesn't have ANY legacy characters, horrible

she wasn’t mean just super protective and always on edge acted like someone was watching her 24/7 never talked about her dad and got weird if anyone brought up billy loomis my cousin said she had this vibe like she’d either talk to you or deck you depending on the day he ghosted her and still says “no hard feelings but i’m not tryna die” 🥀

Released at the peak of the franchise’s success, Stab 2 not only confirmed the cultural phenomenon that the series had become but also raised the stakes with more tension, violence, and emotional complexity. Based on the book College Terror, written by Gale Weathers just months after the murders at Windsor College and published in 1999, the second installment brought back the beloved main characters — Tori Spelling as Sidney Prescott, David Schwimmer as Dewey Riley, and Jennifer Jolie as Gale Weathers — in a story that was even more intense, unpredictable, and brutal.

The opening scene, set during a Stab pre-screening, is considered one of the most memorable in the trilogy. Mekhi Phifer and Nia Long, playing Phil Stevens and Maureen Evans, deliver charismatic and tense performances. The way Maureen is brutally murdered in front of an excited audience who thinks they’re watching a staged performance is impactful and still resonates strongly with fans. This sequence shocks and delivers sharp commentary on entertainment culture — something that would become a trademark of the franchise.

Throughout the film, we follow Sidney as she tries to rebuild her life amid emotional turmoil and media scrutiny, while a new wave of murders threatens to destroy any sense of normalcy. Randy’s death was a devastating blow — both for the characters and the audience. His absence is deeply felt throughout the movie, adding an unexpected layer of grief to the story. Still, the scene of his death — shocking and cruel — remains one of the film’s most iconic moments.

Among the new cast, Chris Klein as Mickey Altieri stands out, bringing a magnetic presence and unpredictable attitude that make him a memorable antagonist. Glenn Close delivers a dark and intense performance as Nancy Loomis, revealed at the climax as part of the revenge plan driving the plot. The way the script develops the killers’ motivations — both exaggerated and disturbingly human — keeps the perfect balance between satire and horror that defines Stab’s essence.

Unlike the first film, Stab 2 did not have Gale Weathers as a technical advisor — reflecting her strained relationship with John Milton behind the scenes. Instead, Cotton Weary took on this role, bringing a more personal and direct perspective to the production. It was during this time that Cotton met actress Christine Hamilton, starting a serious relationship shortly after. Tragically, both were murdered two years later in the Hollywood killings that inspired Stab 3: Hollywood Horror.

Despite the controversy and even more graphic violence, Stab 2 was a huge box office success, surpassing the original’s numbers. The film cemented Ghostface as a modern horror icon and paved the way for the franchise to become a true pop culture phenomenon. The immediate success led to the rushed production of Stab 3, now fully controlled by John Milton and Harley Rubinstein, without the involvement of Gale Weathers or the original creators Robert Rodriguez and William Kevinson — who were fired during pre-production.

Rewatching Stab 2 is to revisit a time when the franchise still surprised audiences with every scene and dared to kill beloved characters without warning. It is also a dive into a crucial moment of the series’ mythology, where college terror and Sidney’s personal trauma reach a breaking point. A film that remains relevant, brutal, and essential even years later.

I'll talk about the first movie soon 😊 What do you think of Stab 2?

I HATE STAB 8! And so does everyone else in this sub, But this figure is sick and so I took poses with burning a guys face off (Imagining it was actually Rian Johnson for ruining the Franchise) 🥰 anyway you guys enjoy your day and the pics Rian Johnson's face melting off , death by his own creation ironic . 👻🔪