The question “Is Scream based on a true story?” is a common one, as the film’s premise of a masked killer targeting teenagers is both terrifying and intriguing. While the answer is not entirely straightforward, there are some real-life events that may have inspired the film’s creation.
Scream’s screenwriter, Kevin Williamson, has stated that he was inspired to write the script after reading about the Gainesville Ripper, a serial killer who targeted college students in Florida in the late 1980s. Williamson has also said that he was influenced by the work of Wes Craven, particularly his film A Nightmare on Elm Street, which also features a masked killer who targets teenagers.
