One of Scream 7’s Biggest Sidney Prescott Changes Was Completely Wasted

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Over the past thirty years, the Scream movies have become a cornerstone of horror, evolving into a surprisingly complex story with a large cast of characters. Like the Fast & Furious franchise, characters often take breaks between films, only to reappear unexpectedly when you least expect it. Scream VI did this brilliantly by bringing back Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed, and Scream 7 broke box office records by welcoming back Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott.

Neve Campbell returned for Scream 7 alongside Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers and original stars Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding. However, the film also introduced new characters. While Isabel May, playing Sidney’s daughter, had a significant role, another family addition felt like an odd choice. Joel McHale, a popular actor with fans, reprised his role as Mark Evans, Sidney’s husband and the police chief, which felt out of place for the series. This decision not only frustrated longtime fans but also didn’t give McHale the opportunity to showcase his full acting range.

Sidney’s Husband in Scream 7 Was a Terrible Creative Choice

The ending of Scream 3 suggested Sidney Prescott would finally find peace with Mark Kincaid, the police officer who supported her in the second film. While Scream 4 didn’t mention him, the fifth Scream movie revealed Sidney was married to someone named Mark and had children, leading fans to believe the two were together. However, Scream 7 unexpectedly contradicted this, completely changing the story.

At the beginning of Scream 7, Sidney and Mark (played by Patrick Dempsey) are happily married, but the story doesn’t explain how their relationship developed. The mention of Mark in Scream 5 surprised fans and contradicted a popular theory, and it also creates some confusing questions about Sidney’s choices. It’s odd that she ended up with another police officer named Mark, though it does leave the possibility open for Dempsey’s character to reappear in future films.

The issues with McHale’s character in Scream 7 go beyond just the writing. It’s a disappointing role for such a talented performer. Throughout his career, McHale has become known for a specific comedic style – a bit snarky, sarcastic, and playfully rude. But in this film, he doesn’t get to showcase any of that. The character is underwritten and feels like it could have been played by almost anyone, making it a real waste of his abilities.

One of the biggest weaknesses of the recent Scream movies is the fate of Mark Kincaid. Despite a vicious attack by Ghostface, he inexplicably survives, which feels like a cheap trick. The movie leads us to believe he’s a victim, only to reveal he’s alive in the final moments – a frustrating plot twist the film repeats with the Meeks-Martin twins. This doesn’t make logical sense; if the police chief disappeared during a murder investigation, you’d expect his colleagues to notice and search for him, but no one seems to realize he’s missing for hours.

While Scream 7 initially broke box office records for the series, it unfortunately doesn’t live up to the standards set by previous installments. Hopefully, the next film, Scream 8, will address these issues and get the franchise back on track.

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2026-05-31 16:46