In the 1996 meta-slasher Scream, the identity of the first killer is central to the film’s twist-driven structure. The first on-screen attacker is Ghostface, who targets teenaged protagonist Casey Becker in the opening sequence. The masked intruder is later revealed to be Billy Loomis, acting alone at first and then with his accomplice Stu Macher. This answer is confirmed through on-screen revelations, audio evidence, and definitive on-screen confrontations. This guide explains how the killings begin, how the reveal unfolds, and why Billy and Stu set the template for the franchise and the wider slasher genre.
Opening Killing: Casey Becker
The first murder in Scream occurs before the main cast is fully introduced, establishing the film’s high-stakes rules. Casey Becker, portrayed by Heather Graham, receives a menacing phone call from Ghostface and is forced to answer horror trivia to save her boyfriend Steve Orth. When she fails or stalls, Ghostface kills Steve in front of her, then demands she answer more questions. After further hesitation and defiance, Casey is stabbed to death and her body is hung from a tree. This sequence functions as both horror set piece and thesis statement: the killer is methodical, theatrical, and willing to execute bystanders to reach the desired victim, reinforcing the jeopardy that drives the narrative.
Initial Suspects and Red Herrings
Before the Ghostface identity is confirmed, the film deliberately misdirects both characters and viewers. Deputy Sheriff Dewey Riley investigates multiple leads, while protagonist Sidney Prescott initially suspects her ex-boyfriend Neil Prescott, then considers Randy Meeks’ conspiracy theories and even herself as a suspect. These red herrings serve the film’s meta-commentary on slasher tropes, highlighting how easily suspicion can be misdirected. The early ambiguity keeps the audience guessing and protects the true mastermind, ensuring the eventual reveal feels earned rather than obvious.
The Ghostface Unmasking Scene
The definitive answer to who the first killer is arrives during the school library confrontation. After a tense buildup, Sidney and her friend Gale Weathers confront Ghostface, leading to a rapid escalation of violence and revelation. In a critical moment, Sidney shoots the masked figure, who collapses. When the mask is removed, the face revealed is Billy Loomis, confirming him as the primary attacker behind the opening killing of Casey Becker. Stu Macher’s complicity becomes clear shortly afterward, but Billy is established as the originating threat in the initial murder and phone calls.
Key Revelations and Evidence
The film substantiates Billy’s role through multiple forms of evidence:
- Phone call records linking Billy to the murders.
- Physical confrontation and gunshot confirmation in the library.
- Billy’s own admission of motive tied to his mother’s abandonment.
Billy Loomis: Motive and Method
Billy Loomis, played by Skeet Ulrich, is motivated by revenge and a calculated desire to create chaos. His central grievance stems from his mother Maureen’s affair with Cotton Weary, which he believes destroyed his family. This personal trauma fuses with a nihilistic worldview, leading him to weaponize horror movie knowledge against Sidney. By framing the killings as a game and mocking cultural expectations, Billy embodies the postmodern slasher antagonist who critiques the genre while embracing its excesses.
Stu Macher’s Complicity
Though Billy is the first killer revealed, Stu Macher, portrayed by Matthew Lillard, serves as the secondary antagonist and accomplice. Stu participates in the party finale, helps execute the trap-filled house siege, and amplifies the cruelty of the killings. His role is essential to the finale’s mechanics, but the film consistently positions Billy as the strategist and driving force. The duo’s dynamic reflects the copycat and enabler archetypes common in true crime and slasher lore, with Billy as the devising mastermind and Stu as the eager participant.
Legacy and Influence on the Franchise
The revelation that Billy Loomis is the first killer in Scream set a new standard for horror storytelling. Subsequent sequels and the 2022 continuation expanded on his background, introducing his half-sister Emma and deepening the family trauma thread. Each installment continues to test the rules Billy and Stu established, from copycat killers to institutional conspiracies. The film’s structure—masked threat, red herrings, and unmasking—has been emulated across modern horror, making the answer to who the first killer is a touchstone for genre analysis and fan discussion.
Factual Reference Table
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| First victim on-screen | Casey Becker | Film narrative |
| First killer identity | Billy Loomis | On-screen unmasking |
| Accomplice | Stu Macher | Film narrative |
| Primary motive | Revenge for Billy’s mother’s affair | Character exposition |
| Key evidence | Phone records and in-person confrontation | Film evidence |