Scream vs. The Gainesville Ripper: The Real Serial Killer Who Inspired the Film

The Fear Archive investigates Danny Rolling — the Gainesville Ripper — and the murders that Kevin Williamson turned into Scream. In August 1990, five University of Florida students were murdered in four days. Rolling slipped through locked doors, left posed bodies for investigators to find, and vanished back into the tree line. Gainesville shut down. Students barricaded doors with furniture. Hardware stores sold out of deadbolts. Six years later, a screenwriter named Kevin Williamson wrote a horror film about a killer who knew the rules. The shadow of Gainesville is present in every frame. Tonight Amanda and Mike examine how the panic of a real event became the architecture of one of the most successful horror franchises ever made. Hosted by Amanda Kagiwada and Michael Ryan Assip. Executive produced by Cassie Jozefov. A Violet Hour Media production. LISTENER WARNING: This program includes discussion of real-world violence and other subject matter that may be upsetting for some listeners. Please proceed with caution. Popular Topics Include: Gainesville Ripper, Danny Rolling, Gainesville murders 1990, Scream 1996, Kevin Williamson, Wes Craven, University of Florida murders, slasher film true story, true crime horror podcast, Fear Archive, horror podcast, Violet Hour Media, Scream true story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices