For a film franchise to have been running for 30 years without ever producing a “bad” entry is nothing short of extraordinary. Six films in, Scream has cemented itself as one of the great slasher franchises, boasting fantastic casting, well-placed humour, and brilliant commentary on both the state of horror and the world at the time of each release.
That said, Scream 7 has had a particularly brutal road to the screen. Originally intended to continue the story of Sam and Tara Carpenter, both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega left the project in spectacular fashion. Director Christopher Landon followed, citing that the film he wanted to make simply wasn’t achievable.
So the studio went back to Neve Campbell – and she’s back with a vengeance. But the question remains: is this a stellar addition to the series, or something of a damp squib?
When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney has built a new life, her darkest fears are realised as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, she must confront the horrors of her past to finally put an end to the bloodshed.
Scream 7 opens strongly, with a fresh twist on the iconic opening scenes fans know and love. Stu Macher’s house from the first film has been updated as an AirBnB – the perfect retreat for Stab enthusiasts – before two unsuspecting horror fans are brutally dispatched by Ghostface.
From there, we return to familiar territory, now sprinkled with AI content as a reminder that it’s 2026. Sidney Prescott Evans is living a suburban dream in Pine Grove, Indiana, running a coffee shop and raising three children with her doting husband, played by Joel McHale, who just so happens to be the town Sheriff.
Familiar faces, forgotten roles
Neve Campbell is effortlessly magnetic, and the film truly comes alive whenever she’s on screen. But that strength also highlights a problem: characters like Gale Weathers end up largely sidelined. Courteney Cox is barely given anything to do, and by the film’s midpoint, it almost forgets she exists.
We see Gale as a world-weary survivor of Scream VI, and while there’s some brief dialogue between her and Sidney, the film never really explores their dynamic – an angle I would have found far more compelling than some of the story choices it pursues instead.
Fans hoping for a return of Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) may be disappointed. Without spoiling anything, his long-awaited comeback falls flat, which is a real shame.
While there are some well-filmed kills – Ghostface’s sparkly cape in a school theatre is a fun touch – the franchise has seen it all before. By the final third, the film leaves audiences relatively satisfied but not thrilled. And then it completely unravels. The Ghostface reveal and motive are absurdly weak. Built on clever twists and sharp reveals, Scream stumbles here, delivering a poorly written, forgettable explanation that leaves a sour taste.
If this is truly the last Scream, it fails to provide the neat, satisfying closure fans deserve.
Ultimately, Scream 7 is a fine movie – but “fine” has never been the standard for this franchise. Scream has always been sharp, witty, and clever. Here, director Kevin Williamson delivers a slasher that could accommodate any antagonist – from Freddy to Michael.
Despite some fun nods to Halloween and commentary on AI and deepfake technology, Scream 7 is just a little bland. And, sadly, nothing sparkles quite like Ghostface’s cape.
