Mortal Kombat 1's Ghostface Identities Explained (2025)

Mortal Kombat 1 continues a series-running tradition of adding iconic horror guest characters with the Khaos Reigns DLC. The latest addition to the fighting game’s roster is the iconic Ghostface, from the Scream franchise. Though many of the character’s genre peers like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees have also appeared in previous entries of the Mortal Kombat series, those murderous maniacs have something Ghostface has always fundamentally lacked: a set identity.

Freddy Krueger has always been the same child murderer turned dream demon, and Jason has always been the same unkillable killer, but Ghostface is less of a character and more of a mantle. Throughout the Scream franchise (and even in other video games), a myriad of psychopaths have taken on the Ghostface persona to conceal their respective identities. There are some 17 ‘canonical’ Ghostface killers when accounting for the films, television series, and the Danny Johnson character from Dead by Daylight. So, when NetherRealm Studios announced Ghostface would be joining Mortal Kombat 1, fans were left with the same question Sidney Prescott has been asking since 1996: who’s behind the mask?

Who Are the Ghostfaces in Mortal Kombat 1?

Ghostface in Mortal Kombat 1 is, true to form, a team effort by three separate characters. This is fitting, as the Scream films from which the character gained mass notoriety almost always feature a team of Ghostface killers working together to achieve their murderous goals. The other two killers will assist during matches, but the core identity of the player-controlled Ghostface will vary based on which variation of the character is tagged in at any given time.

Ghostface's Identities In Mortal Kombat 1

• Billy Loomis
• Kira
• Kobra

The core Ghostface of Mortal Kombat 1 is none other than Billy Loomis. Played by Skeet Ulrich, Billy was the mastermind behind the events of the original Scream and the founding father of the Ghostface identity. While this was heavily speculated after NetherRealm very deliberately said that this Ghostface was the “original Woodsboro killer”, fans were curious if they meant Billy or his accomplice, Stu Macher, played by Matthew Lillard.

But with the release of the fighter, those questions have been firmly laid to rest. During the character’s fatality and final blow animations, Ghostface loses his mask and reveals Billy’s face underneath. Ulrich has confirmed via his recent Instagram stories that he was the one behind Billy's appearance in the game via motion capture, making it his fourth time playing the character.

The Black Dragons

Billy may be the default Ghostface, but the player will occasionally tag two other Ghostfaces in and out during the course of the match. The identities of these two killers, known in-game simply as the Enforcer and Assassin, are none other than Kira and Kobra: two members of the Black Dragon organization.

In Mortal Kombat’s lore, the Black Dragon are a band of mercenaries. They have no particular loyalty to any code or creed and work for/with whomever they choose, and they often choose to follow the money. Bearing that in mind, it’s easier to see how Billy might have been able to convince two of its members to don the black robes and start a new wave of Ghostface killings.

Kobra and Kira themselves are relatively minor Mortal Kombat characters, only appearing in three games: Deception, Armageddon, and Unchained. They might be remembered by series die-hards, but modern fans could be excused for never having heard of them. Still, it was those same superfans that pieced together Kira and Kobra’s identities based on the moves they use while in-costume.

The Enforcer and Assassin Ghostfaces both use moves and fatalities befitting the Ghostface identity, but with the added supernatural flourishes of purple and green energy. Although their faces are never revealed during normal gameplay, these colored energy waves are unique to Kira and Kobra and were the smoking gun that led fans to discern the identities of Billy’s two mystery accomplices.

Is Stu Macher Ghostface in Mortal Kombat 1?

Though Billy, Kira, and Kobra seem like the core cast in this case, some fans have wondered if it's possible the developers at NetherRealm included a fourth Ghostface killer by way of the mirror match. If both players select the character, there’s a rare chance for a unique line of dialogue to activate wherein one Ghostface asks “Is that you, Billy?” To which the other responds, “Of course it is, Stu!”

Stu Macher was Billy’s best friend and accomplice in the original Scream and a key architect of the Ghostface M.O. This line might have some convinced that Stu is secretly in the game as a mirror match option, but the face model for Billy is the only one currently visible in the fatalities and final blows. Still, Stu is often overshadowed by Billy in later series entries, so it’s nice to see that NetherRealm remembers the more manic half of the original Ghostface duo in a fun line of rare dialogue.

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7.8/10

Mortal Kombat 1

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.

Fighting

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:84/100 Critics Recommend:87%

Franchise

Mortal Kombat

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Switch , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

September 19, 2023

Developer(s)

NetherRealm Studios

Publisher(s)

Warner Bros. Games

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Unreal Engine 4

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

How Long To Beat

7 Hours

PS Plus Availability

N/A

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Cross-Platform Play

PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S

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