‘Scream’ Star David Arquette Returns to Horror in ‘Kill Or Be Killed’

David Arquette, best known for his role as Dewey Riley in the Scream franchise, is set to return to the summer slasher genre with Kill or Be Killed, alongside rising U.S. actress Alisha Newton, according to Deadline.

The film is penned by writer Nick Zigler, known for his work on the Chucky and Purge TV series, and directed by David Straiton.

As per the outlet, the film follows recent high school graduate Dani (Newton) and her friends as they prepare for a final summer celebration. However, their plans take a terrifying turn when the mutilated body of a senior is discovered on the school’s football field, killed in a gruesome and theatrical manner. A red envelope pinned to the corpse contains a yearbook photo along with a chilling message: “Kill or Be Killed.” As the body count rises, Dani and her friends are drawn into a deadly game orchestrated by a mysterious killer—one that quickly spreads beyond their small town and goes viral.

Arquette recently appeared in the western The Unholy Trinity alongside Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson. Newton, an emerging talent, is best recognized for her performances in Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys and the long-running CBC series Heartland.

Producer Ryan Keller of Other Animal shared his excitement about the project, stating, “Kill or Be Killed captures the magic that made the golden era of slashers so iconic. It brings a fresh, pulse-pounding experience that resonates with today’s audiences while honouring the genre’s storied past. The viral nature of the killer’s game speaks to audiences worldwide, while the primal struggle for survival resonates in any language.”

Director David Straiton emphasized the genre’s appeal, noting, “The summer slasher is all about freedom and fear colliding – there’s nothing quite like it. It’s the perfect time to redefine the genre and challenge audiences with something both thrilling and unexpected.”

Calum Gray at Architect also expressed enthusiasm for the film, stating, “Kill or Be Killed celebrates the best of a ‘summer slasher’ – a thrilling slice of outrageous, totally fun escapism that will have audiences peeking out from behind their fingers as the kill count rises. Would you kill, or be killed?”