Movie geek Randy addresses the many audience members watching him from behind their own computers at home: What was the first movie to have the killer call from inside the house? Quaranscream live

The live chat explodes with answers and guesses from viewers all over the world. Randy reads some of the guesses out loud – all incorrect, but all within the spirit of the question.

Suddenly, from behind Randy comes Ghost Face in full regalia – including a knife aimed at Randy’s back.

Wrong answer.

Quaranscream Live, by 88Twenty, adapts the 1996 meta-film classic, Scream, into a technically ambitious, interactive Zoom experience. The 90-minute performance lifts the script almost directly from the film, with a few cuts and adjustments for the online production – including setting the story in present day. Quaranscream Live mixes live performances and pre-taped videos, as well as utilizes an entertaining live chat for guests to answer questions, quote along with the film, and interact with nerdy Randy (played by Riley Costello), who also acts as a direct contact/host for the event. Since the film is rated R and Quaranscream Live also includes an optional drinking game, the experience is likely best suited for adults.

Quaranscream Live does more with their online technology than a simple Zoom meeting. Quaranscream Live moves the action to present day – during Covid – so most of the visuals are talking heads. However, the technology used in between characters’ Zoom calls effectively supports this narrative change in surprising ways. Similar to films Searching and The Host, Quaranscream Live uses occasional shared-screen mode to scroll through Sydney Prescott’s social media newsfeed, where guests (and Sydney) see footage of Gale Weathers reporting on the Woodsboro murders – the feed is more fleshed out than only Gale’s report, but I didn’t catch all the tiny details. This is an impressive use of technology that adds to the narrative change of having the story take place during Covid. Scrolling through a newsfeed and seeing clips of news coverage is all too real these days, and Quaranscream Live does a great job of bringing the experience home. The transitions between scenes – both live and pre-recorded – could be smoother; a few instances of awkward silence dotted the performance I viewed, but the tech progressively improved and tightened up as the show continued.

The cast of Quaranscream Live does a superb job of bringing some of these beloved characters to life, without coming across as parody. While the original actors in Scream created iconic performances, the performances of Quaranscream Live are respectful nods to those characters, as well as being new interpretations. As Randy, Costello’s upbeat energy is infectious, making him a great host and audience contact. Alisha Soper impressively carries most of the event on her shoulders as final girl Sydney. Sarah Wines’ Tatum is delightful and bubbly, and she impresses in the stunt-heavy, pre-recorded scenes. Zach Villa’s Billy and Alex Smith’s Stu make formidable villains for Soper’s Sydney, and are grounded in reality. Demargio House lends his comedic chops as Sheriff Burke, adding some ridiculous levity new to this production. However, Sophie Cooper’s Gale Weathers absolutely steals every scene she’s in, especially when she turns on the charm for Brandon Loeser’s blushing and subdued Dewey.

The drinking game in Quaranscream Live is optional for guests who want to participate. The only rules are to drink whenever “Sydney Prescott” is mentioned or Ghost Face (played by Noah Fontaine) appears. If you’ve seen the film, you already know that taking little sips is your best bet. The drinking game is definitely easier when Ghost Face appears, as the almost endless references to “Sydney” often will go unnoticed. If 88Twenty wants to encourage the drinking game, it might be easier for guests to participate if there was a little bell or counter in the corner of the screen marking the times to take a drink. The drinking game works much better when Randy addresses the audience and holds up a sign to “DRINK!” – especially later in the evening, after many drinks have already been consumed.

Quaranscream Live is an entertaining way for people to get together virtually and have a “movie night” safely in their own homes. It’s a wonderful representation of the source material, elevating and modernizing it for the current climate. The production and performances are technically impressive and entertaining, and the live chat is a blast, especially when comparing favorite scary movies! With a little finesse on the back-end, and some tightening up of the transitions, Quaranscream Live will have you screaming with delight!

Quaranscream Live ends its run on October 30th; buy tickets HERE. Learn more about the project on their website, Twitter and Instagram. Find out more about 88Twenty here. Be sure to bookmark our Event Guide to keep up to date on Halloween and horror events throughout the year.

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quaranscream live was great. sophie stole the show in quaranscream live.