Which iconic 1996 slasher film, known for its meta-commentary on horror tropes, features the masked killer Ghostface terrorizing teenager Sidney Prescott and her friends?

The iconic 1996 slasher film described is indeed Scream. This groundbreaking movie, directed by horror master Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, revitalized the slasher genre by cleverly incorporating meta-commentary, with its characters often discussing and dissecting the very horror movie tropes they found themselves living through. The film centers on teenager Sidney Prescott, portrayed by Neve Campbell, who becomes the target of the mysterious, masked killer known as Ghostface.

Scream stands out for its self-awareness, where characters explicitly refer to the "rules" of horror films, creating a unique blend of suspense and humor. The killer, Ghostface, became an instant horror icon with his distinctive mask and chilling phone calls, often quizzing victims on horror trivia before attacking. The film's success not only spawned a long-running franchise but also left a significant mark on the horror landscape, influencing a new wave of self-referential horror cinema. Its innovative approach to storytelling and character development, particularly Sidney Prescott's journey from victim to empowered survivor (Review), cemented its legacy as a pivotal film in the genre.