Modesto has more to ‘Scream’ about. Central Valley city plays part in new horror film
Modesto officially has more to “Scream” about as the Central Valley city once again flexes its pop culture prowess — this time in the famed horror franchise.
Two of the main characters in the new reboot of the “Scream” film series now in theaters hail from Modesto. The characters, played by Melissa Barrera and Jack Quaid, start the movie while in the Stanislaus County city, before heading to the fictional California town of Woodsboro where all the mayhem unfolds.
The latest film, released 26 years after the 1996 original became a cultural phenomenon, follows a new set of young people being terrorized by the so-called Ghostface killer who wears the franchise’s signature ghost mask and cloak.
Modesto is also briefly depicted, as Barrera’s character Sam is shown at her job in town at what appears to be a bowling alley.
Sam’s boyfriend, Richie, (played by Quaid) is also from Modesto. This is the second time the actor, who is the son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, has played a Modestan. In 2020, he debuted on the animated comedy series “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” where the character he voices (Ensign Brad Boimler) is from Modesto.
The “Scream” Modesto mentions aren’t the first time Modesto has played prominently in movies, music and more. In November singing superstar Adele released her new album “30,” and its deluxe edition includes a bonus track that name-drops the Central Valley city.
Her song “Wild Wild West” features the chorus: “From LA to San Francisco / I lost my mind in San Bernardino / Even Chula Vista and Modesto / I broke my heart in San Diego”
The city has also been referenced on TV in skits from “Saturday Night Live” and on shows including “CSI,” “Criminal Minds” and “The Simpsons.” Some of Modesto’s other film references include the 2007 thriller “Zodiac,” the 2009 animated feature “Monsters vs. Aliens” and, of course, the 1973 classic “American Graffiti” — though the George Lucas coming of age movie never mentions his hometown by name.
A sampling of some of the other prominent Modesto mentions in pop culture over the decades:
1963: “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” film; Jonathan Winters’ trucker character drives the Modesto-to-Yuma run.
1972-1977: “The Streets of San Francisco,” series; Michael Douglas’ San Francisco detective was from Modesto.
1985: Murphy’s Romance,” film; Sally Field’s divorced mother character is from Modesto.
1994: “Modesto,” song; Beck track from his album “Stereopathetic Soulmanure” makes vague reference to “contaminated lawns” and “browsing through the supermarket town.”
2001: “The Man Who Wasn’t There,” film; Billy Bob Thornton’s character goes with his wife to a wedding reception for a cousin who just married a “vintner out near Modesto” in the Coen Brothers’ film noir.
2015: “Looking,” series; HBO show about a group of gay friends living in San Francisco has characters take a road trip to Modesto for a family funeral and was filmed in town for some scenes.
2017: “Glorious,” music video; Rapper Macklemore actually came to Modesto, where his grandmother lives, and recorded the music video with her in and around the city.
2020: “Ratched,” series; The Netflix drama, based on the infamous Nurse Ratched from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” features Sarah Paulson as the title character who goes on a road trip with her girlfriend (played by Cynthia Nixon). They make a pit stop in Modesto to watch a puppet show called “Lew Klassen’s Marionette Theatre.”
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 12:10 PM.
