This article contains spoilers for theScreamfranchise.
On November 19, the Woodsboro killer Ghostface joined the roster ofMortal Kombat 1as the latest DLC fighter to be introduced from the Khaos Reigns expansion and Kombat Pack 2. The first horror-themed fighter playable inMortal Kombat 1, Ghostface joins the storied cast of slashers who have made their way to fight in Mortal Kombat, including Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface. As Ghostface, players will be able to reenact some of the most iconic attacks from across the six-film-longScreamseries, though mostly with just Ghostface’s signature knife. However, NetherRealm Studios may have taken away some of Ghostface’s mystique by quickly revealing their identity as Billy Loomis, Kira, and Kobra.
The Mystique of Scream’s Many Ghostfaces
WhiletheScreamfranchise may appear to be just another slasher moviefocused on the deaths of frivolous teenagers and young adults at a glance, the series is often introspective of trends in horror films and has viewers guessing who the killer may be. In eachScreamfilm, the identity of Ghostface is unknown to both the protagonists and the audience themselves, allowing viewers to feel the same tension and unease as the protagonists do. Both viewers and characters often try to discover who Ghostface is, as they’re often connected to the films’ leads in some way. Ghostface seldom goes it alone as mostScreamfilms feature two killers embodying the masked killer.
InScream 1, the original Ghostfaces are revealed to be Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, the high school boyfriend and friend of series protagonist Sidney Prescott.Scream 2’s Ghostfaces are revealed to be Prescott’s college friend Mickey Altieri and Billy’s mother, Nancy Loomis.Scream 3was the first and so far only film to feature a solo Ghostfacewith Roman Bridger, revealed to be Prescott’s half-brother.Scream 4’s Ghostfaces are revealed to be Prescott’s cousin Jill Roberts and Roberts’ boyfriend Charlie Walker. 2022’sScreambegan transitioning the spotlight from Prescott to new lead characters Sam Carpenter and her sister Tara, the former revealed to be the daughter of Billy Loomis.
The Scream Franchise’s Most Recent Ghostfaces
This fifthScream’s Ghostfaces are revealed to be Sam’s boyfriend Richie Kirsch and Tara’s friend Amber Freeman.Scream 6was the first film to feature three Ghostfaces in the form of Kirsch’s father, Wayne Bailey, and Kirsch’s siblings, Quinn Bailey and Ethan Landry. In 2015, MTV released aScreamTV series that featured multiple Ghostfaces, or Lakewood Slashers as they’re called in the show, throughout its three seasons, though this series was largely unconnected to theScreamfilms. In 2019,Dead by Daylightintroduced The Ghost Face killer and mascot for the game’s Chapter 12.Dead by Daylight’s Ghostface, revealed to be Danny Johnson, is not connected to the film series beyond using a hooded Fun World ghost mask and knife.
Mortal Kombat 1’s Failed Ghostface Mystery
As soon as Ghostface was revealed to be one of the DLC fighters coming in the wake of Khaos Reigns, fans speculated en masse on whom this Ghostface could be. Some thought it would be a new, original character similar toDead by Daylight’s, others thought it could have been a rumored surviving Ghostface from the films such as Macher, and when it was shown that there were three Ghostfaces, theorizing peaked. However, mere days after Ghostface was released, NetherRealm revealed that its Ghostfaces were Billy Loomis andMortal Kombat: Deception’s Black Dragon members Kira and Kobra. While longtimeMortal Kombatfans were excited to see Kira and Kobra return, most players expressed disappointment with how quickly Ghostface’s mystery was solved.
Part of the fun ofScreamis determining with friends and fellow fans who Ghostface could be leading up to each film. NetherRealm could have waited a bit longer to keep the theorizing going before the Ghostfaces’ identities were disclosed, though it was restricted by the need to create a Tower Ending and have a face show up for a few fatalities.Billy Loomis’ actor Skeet Ulrichdid have his face recreated for wheneverMortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface has his mask off, but neither Kira nor Kobra’s faces are ever shown. Roger L. Jackson’s voice could still have been used for Ghostface but perhaps his identity could have been concealed until a pre-battle dialogue sequence with future DLC fighters revealed their true name to help keep the mystery alive.
Ghostface is the eighth character from horror or horror-adjacent films to appear inMortal Kombat,with the previous fighters being Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, the Xenomorph, Predator, Terminator, and RoboCop.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
