With the recent reveal of Kombat Pack 2, the cat’s out of the bag that Ghostface will officially be coming toMortal Kombat 1. At first glance,the famous slasher ofScreamfamemight not fit in with the hulking, trained fighters of theMortal Kombatfranchise. But make no mistake; the character’s brutality and overwhelmingly violent moveset will feel right at home in the notoriously gory fighter. That is most perfectly demonstrated in their recently revealed fatality move.
The gruesome finisher, which features the player character joined by a second Ghostface, is a deliciously graphic move that earns its spot in theMortal Kombat 1lineup by virtue of both its no-holds-barred violence, and its loving homage to some of the most iconic moments in theScreamfranchise.
Mortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface Fatality Explained
Ghostface’s Fatality is Chock Full of Scream References
Many people may be familiar on some level with Ghostface as a character, even if they’ve never seen aScreamfilm. The character is a mainstay of the genre and is even branded as the “Icon of Halloween” by Funworld, the company that owns the rights to the infamous mask. Despite the character’s ubiquity,Screamnewbies may be confused as to why the fatality seemingly features Ghostface cloning themselves.
Ghostface, in all but one franchise entry, has always been multiple people. Two (or three) individuals will adopt the Ghostface persona as a cover for their murder sprees in their respective films. At this time,there have been 13 Ghostfaces in theScreamfranchise, 15 if the television series is being considered. The precise identity ofMortal Kombat 1’s Ghostface isn’t currently clear, the safest bet is on it being either Billy Loomis or Stu Macher; the first Ghostface killers who pioneered the identity in the original film.
Aside from the obvious, franchise-wide reference to there always being more than one killer kicking around, Ghostface’s fatality is a deep cut to two of theScreamseries most memorable scenes. The first and most apparent isChad’s near-death experience inScream 6. The most recent addition to the franchise sees Mason Gooding’s character attacked by two costumed Ghostfaces in almost the exact same way as seen in the fatality. Two killers stab Chad simultaneously and, just like in the fatality, they end the attack with a perfectly synched blade wipe flourish.
A more subtle reference comes from the part of the fatality when the victim first lays eyes on the second Ghostface. The stark white mask reflects perfectly in their eyes as the second killer goes in for the killing blow. This is lifted 1:1 from the original movie whenBilly, in full Ghostface regalia, dispatches Woodsboro High’s Principal Himbry, played by the Fonz himself, Henry Winkler. It was a cool shot in 1996, and it’s arguably a cooler shot now, neatly planted within the context of one of the most brutal Ghostface attacks the series has seen yet.
Other Possible Ghostface References in Mortal Kombat 1
There’s no way of telling exactly how many otherScreamreferences are baked into the fighter. It’s already well known that thecharacter will be voiced once again by Roger L. Jackson, providing the same bone-chilling vocal performance as heard in the films. But aside from that, there are still a lot of variables in play.
One of the coolest things NetherRealm can do with the fighter is fully lean into the tag team vibe the fatality gives. Have Ghostface’s moveset be heavily inspired by other things the various killers have done in the films. The devs could even give them aunique Kameo option where another Ghostface comes inand helps them mid-fight. There are six movies and 13 killers to pull from, the sky’s the limit when that Buck knife comes out.
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.
