Scream 7 review: Faults, plot holes and a dubious conclusion – but slasher franchise still has its pleasures

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

It’s unsettling, but the sound of a weapon cutting into skin has, surprisingly, often been comforting to many movie fans. It says something strange about what people find appealing in films.

The latest Scream movie feels like a return to form, bringing back both the franchise’s iconic lead and the original director after 30 years. While it’s not flawless, it’s still a stylish and exciting horror film.

Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott in the latest Scream movie after sitting out the previous installment due to a salary disagreement. Now in her late 40s, Sidney is married with three children, including a daughter named Tatum (Isabel May) who is the same age Sidney was when the original Scream film began.

So, the last Scream took things to New York City, which was a cool change of pace. But this one? It brings things back down to earth, to a small town where Sidney’s actually found some peace – she’s got a family and is running a little coffee shop. You think she’s finally safe, and then… bam! A creepy phone call lets you know the nightmare is starting all over again.

Does that sound familiar? It should! Ghostface is back for more killings, this time targeting a new group of teenagers – a mix of confident girls and their questionable boyfriends – and continuing a long-running feud with Neve.

Some people think the Scream movies fall into a predictable pattern, no matter where the story goes or who the victims are. And while that’s partly true, the seventh film is definitely more stylish and clever than the previous two installments.

The film’s improved quality is largely thanks to Kevin Williamson, who wrote the first three installments (including the original story) and is directing for the first time.

Williamson continues to playfully poke fun at classic horror tropes, just as he always has. The script also good-naturedly ribs other horror franchises – there’s a clever reference to Jamie Lee Curtis’s many appearances in Halloween films – and is filled with knowing nods to the Scream series itself. This includes references to the fictional movie-within-a-movie, Stab, and a pointed comment about Neve Campbell’s absence from the previous installment, with Courteney Cox’s character telling Sidney, “You’re lucky you sat that one out. It was brutal.”

The opening of this installment is fantastic and surprising, sure to excite longtime fans. Williamson cleverly adds to the suspense by resurrecting characters previously believed to be dead, using a smart plot device involving FaceTime and the idea that Ghostface might be using artificial intelligence to help – a twist that allows the story to feel believable despite the impossible.

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As usual, Campbell and Cox have plenty of suspects to investigate, including misleading clues. Another character observes that it’s strange how the initial suspicion often falls on someone they don’t know well, saying, “It’s always someone you know, isn’t it?”

The show’s mysterious parts weren’t quite as impactful as they could have been. Although the action sequences are well-done and visually interesting, they don’t really offer anything new or surprisingly scary for viewers.

Some might say that Scream 7 plays it safe by sticking closely to the familiar formula, avoiding big risks. However, the director deserves praise for the moments where they successfully add something fresh and interesting to this 30-year-old series.

Despite some noticeable flaws in the plot and a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion, the movie remains highly enjoyable and energetic. This proves that director Christopher Williamson is essential to the success of the Scream franchise.

Authors

Terry Staunton

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2026-02-26 15:04