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Film: Scream 7
Year: 2026
Director: Kevin Williamson
Writers: Guy Busick and Kevin Williamson
Starring: Neve Campbell, Isabel May and Courteney Cox
Review:
Here for this opening is where I’ll address the elephant in the room and just say that I hate that Melissa Barrera was fired. Although I didn’t love the story, I was invested enough. It also bums me out that Jenna Ortega left the project. With all the turmoil, which did intrigue me to see what they’d do. Everything did feel rushed due to all the issues. I’ll also admit, I came in with minimal expectations since we are seven films into a franchise.
Synopsis: when a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built her new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
We start this with a couple arriving at the Macher house from the original film. Scott (Jimmy Tatro) and Madison (Michelle Randolph) are the couple. This house has turned into a museum of sorts that can be rented. Scott is an expert on what happened and he’s stoked. Madison isn’t as thrilled. She gets uneasy with something that they find in one of the rooms. This also feels exploitative. These two are done in by the new Ghostface, who burn it down.
That’s when we shift over to Sidney. She is married to Mark Evans (Joel McHale) who is the local chief of police. There is a scene that pays homage to the original film with her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May), and her boyfriend, Ben Brown (Sam Rechner). It is through this that we see they’re in a rough patch. Tatum wants more freedom and wants to know more about what Sidney has been through. Her mother is trying to shelter her from it and wanting her to grow up without fear. It is difficult though when there are a series of films focusing on your trauma.
We then get to learn more about the people who live in this town. Tatum does theater with her two friends, Hannah Thurman (Mckenna Grace) and Chloe (Celeste O’Connor). Working the lightboard are Ben and Lucas Bowden (Asa Germann). He’s a true crime junkie, wanting to start his own podcast, so he’s in awe of Sidney. His mother is annoyed by his lack of tact, Jessica (Anna Camp). Word gets to Sidney about the murders that happened in Woodsboro. She then gets a call from a face from the past that shakes her.
Ghostface has come to her town, like the synopsis said. Tatum’s friends are the first targets. Sidney and her family also come face-to-face with this person. Things aren’t as they seem and everyone is a suspect. Sidney also gets help from others who have that shared trauma, also while dealing with trying to keep her daughter safe, despite her wanting to help.
That is where I’ll leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I want to start then it would be that this feels a bit like hitting the reset button due to actor changes. That’s not the worst thing to do. The story they put together though does work for pivoting back to trying to bring in a potential younger lead to carry the franchise, if they want to. This does feel a bit rushed in my opinion. I’ll then say that this wasn’t horrible by any stretch. It was enjoyable while I was having issues with it.
The story works, feeling like another requel. The opening uses a recognizable young actor (Tatro), though not a major star. Using the Macher house and recreating an early scene, this time with Tatum instead of her mother. This way works to introduce her as well as Ben, especially since this film feels like another "passing the torch" attempt. There’s that ‘trial by fire’ motif.
Something that I do appreciate is what this film does for those who have grown up watching this series. I would have been around ten years old when the original came out. Sidney being a mother and the need to protect her children is something that I can connect with. We truly get to see that growth from a broken teen to a strong woman who is sheltering her daughter. The pushback from Tatum is good. Wanting to know the truth of what happened, not the Hollywood, horror version. This is an element that I appreciated for sure.
The film explores the series' characteristic meta-commentary, focusing on the dangers of AI. Interestingly, Lucas is strongly opposed, while tech-savvy Ben is open to its use. A terrifying aspect of AI's potential is shown, which is timely. However, the commentary is less focused on the horror genre itself. Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) and her brother Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding) return, with a funny moment when he mocks her characteristic info dump, suggesting their roles will continue.
Let me then shift over to what my biggest issues are. It takes a bit too much from Halloween and previous Scream films. Not all of it is an issue. Like the opening scene with Tatum, her boyfriend and mom were cute. It was a fun way to introduce the younger two and give us Sidney. It was later in this that I started to roll my eyes. Even more than the ‘member berries’ would be the plot armor. Too many characters are attacked and then the punch is pulled for any potential future film. Those lack of stakes makes my interest wane.
That should be enough for the story so let’s shift gears then to how I judge slasher films. They either need memorable characters or good kills. The returning cast excels, notably Campbell as Sidney with her maternal subplot. May, initially underdeveloped, shows good growth as the lead. McHale is an enjoyable father/police officer. Grace, Germann, O’Connor, and Rechner work well as Tatum’s friends. Bringing back Brown and Gooding was effective, and I like their characters. Camp and Ethan Embry are positive additions. The acting is strong overall.
I did want another subsection here to just bring up all the cameos. Cox feels unnecessary, only serving a role with Sidney and to pass the torch to the twins. They are creative, if this is the final film that they make. If not, it doesn’t truly make sense. This includes Scott Foley, Matthew Lillard, David Arquette and Laurie Metcalf.
All that is left would be the other half of the equation for slasher films, which is filmmaking. The film is well-executed with good cinematography and framing. Williamson effectively builds tension, though he occasionally borrows from other films. The movie is appropriately brutal at times. How they show the blood and gore falls into this. There was one instance of noticeable CGI, but otherwise, the music and sound design, including recurring themes and selections, were effective. Roger L. Jackson's iconic voice work is a highlight.
In conclusion, despite the production turmoil and the feeling of being rushed, this manages to deliver a satisfying, albeit familiar, requel experience. It succeeds most in its emotional core, showcasing Sidney’s journey into motherhood and the need to protect the next generation, a theme that resonates well with long-time fans. While suffering from noticeable plot armor and borrowing heavily from its predecessors, the film boasts a solid ensemble cast, effective tension-building, and relevant meta-commentary on AI. It serves as a decent pivot point, attempting to pass the torch while honoring the past, ultimately making it an enjoyable watch being this deep into the franchise, even if it falls short of truly innovative horror.
My Rating: 6 out of 10