At this point, franchise fans are savvy. They expect the unexpected. What do you do when you’ve prepped the audience for three decades?
Scream 7 proves that strong direction and nostalgia can’t save a script too afraid to take real risks. The opening scene is as meta as it gets. It’s downhill from there. Director Kevin Williamson does well at framing shots, playing with light and shadows. Ghostface is barely visible lurking in the darkness in the background. It’s haunting.
There are good chase scenes reminiscent of Parts 1 and 2. A standout sequence traps a character inside a building while another guides them remotely through security cameras. The film telegraphs its casualties so clearly that none of the deaths feel uncertain. There’s only a couple of stand out kills. The CGI blood is distracting.
Written by Williamson and Guy Busick, I appreciate going back to basics. However, doing the opposite of the original isn’t fresh anymore. This film still does it literally. A.I. and deepfakes are used in a baffling way, recalling the contrived voice changer twist from Part 3.
The script leans heavily on slasher logic. Characters ignore their phones, investigate noises alone, and abandon weapons at the worst possible moment. Suspension of disbelief turns into frustration, especially when injuries carry no lasting consequence. Ghostface absorbs bullets and stab wounds with near-supernatural resilience, reducing the stakes and undercutting the tension the film works so hard to build. It gets ridiculous after being shot more than six times.
I love the references to Giallo, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, and Black Christmas.
The killer reveal comes out of nowhere, not being set up like prior films. The motive is the most nonsensical in the franchise, undermining the film’s impact.
Neve Campbell returns as Sidney. She brings more strength, vulnerability, and sincerity than in Part 5, elevating the film in that regard. Seeing her as a mom is refreshing because it’s a new angle. Courteney Cox returns as Gale Weathers. She and Sydney have some great moments together. Cox shows she’s still got it like Campbell but she’s underutilized.
Isabel May plays Tatum, Sydney’s daughter. She feels miscast, lacking the believability required for the role. The script never convincingly explains why Sidney withholds crucial information, creating artificial tension rather than organic conflict.
Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding return as Mindy and Chad. Their chemistry with the new cast is great. They don’t add anything to the plot because of their limited roles, similar to Gale.
Anna Camp plays Jessica, Sydney’s neighbour. She’s fine but she comes and goes so much I kept forgetting she’s in it. Mckenna Grace plays Hannah and Celeste O’Connor is Chloe. Asa Germann plays Lucas, Jessica’s son. They’re one note characters though. We don’t get a fountain scene to establish dynamics or chemistry. Ethan Embry plays an orderly at a mental institution…or the medical superintendent… or hospital administrator…or the janitor…it’s unclear. His limited screen time makes him forgettable. Joel McHale is Mark. Surprisingly, he’s a straight man. He’s not good enough as an actor to take him seriously.
Matthew Lillard returns as Stu Macher. He’s having a blast chewing the scenery. Unfortunately the way he’s written is insulting to fans of his character. I can see this being underwhelming for many because of how it undermines his legacy. Roger L. Jackson returns as the voice of Ghostface, though the film surprisingly features very few phone calls.
I’m a Scream fanatic. The original is why I fell in love with horror. Don’t let the negative reviews discourage you. I still recommend it. Give this movie a chance free from personal bias. Having said that, I’m torn.
The film feels disappointingly safe, especially compared to recent franchise entries like Saw X and Final Destination Bloodlines that embraced reinvention. It feels like a rehash of Halloween: H20. It doesn’t pass the torch, it briefly shines a light on the new cast only to thrust them into the shadows.
Scream 7 is neither a disaster nor a reinvention. The franchise started as a commentary on horror movies, devolving into what the franchise initially mocked…a repetitive, cliched franchise. I can’t ignore that it chose comfort over courage. And remember, this Ghostface made me do my Flabbergast Face.
