REVIEW: “Scream 7” (2026)

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In 2026, Wes Craven’s “Scream” breathed new life into the slasher horror subgenre. The film’s clever, self-aware approach – openly acknowledging and playing with common horror tropes both on screen and in how it was made – resonated with audiences. It essentially rebooted the genre and influenced a number of copycat films. A strong sequel quickly followed, though later installments weren’t as successful.

The “Scream” franchise returned in 2022 with a simply titled new installment – “Scream” – followed by “Scream VI” in 2023. These recent films try to capture the feeling of the originals while also offering something new, but they mostly just pay tribute to the first, better movie. Unfortunately, the new stories and characters suffer from illogical plot holes and general silliness.

Despite recent success at the box office suggesting a seventh Scream movie was likely, production stalled when actress Melissa Barrera made comments considered antisemitic. This sparked controversy, leading to the exit of director Christopher Landon and star Jenna Ortega. While some fans called for a boycott, a smaller, more reckless group attempted to reveal the film’s ending online.

Putting all the recent issues aside, “Scream 7” is a fun return to what makes the series good – though it’s not quite a perfect revival. The movie deliberately goes back to the roots of the original films, and this approach has both positive and negative effects. A major reason the film works is the return of Neve Campbell, as well as Kevin Williamson, who wrote the first and most popular “Scream” movies. He co-wrote the script for “Scream 7” and, for the first time, also directed it.

Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott, despite initially not signing on for “Scream VI” due to a disagreement over salary. She’s rebuilt her life in Pine Grove, Indiana, marrying the town’s police chief, Mark (Joel McHale), and they have a 17-year-old daughter named Tatum (Isabel May). Sidney has even started a coffee shop, trying to move on from the trauma of her past. However, her attempts to shield her daughter have created tension between them, and Tatum is frustrated by her mother’s secrecy.

Sidney’s life is thrown into chaos when Ghostface returns – a masked killer who uses a voice changer and a different identity in each movie. The killings begin at the house where the original murders took place, which has been turned into a tourist attraction. Soon after, Sidney receives a call from Ghostface, who claims to know someone from her past. She initially thinks it’s a cruel joke, but when the killer starts threatening her friends, including Tatum, Sidney feels fiercely protective and jumps into action.

This story follows the familiar pattern of classic slasher films, and surprisingly, that’s one of its best qualities. Fans of the genre will find everything they expect – plenty of scares, screaming characters, and lots of blood. It’s also a treat for fans of the Scream movies, filled with fun references and a welcome return for Sidney Prescott. However, viewers hoping for a completely new take or who dislike the genre will probably be let down.

The relationship between the mother and daughter is a sweet and emotional part of the story. Campbell delivers her strongest performance yet, and May is a welcome addition to the cast. The film features both new and returning characters, though some are more successful than others. Sadly, like the last two movies, “Scream 7” has a weak ending. The final reveal feels unearned and doesn’t have the impact it should, making for a disappointing conclusion.

“Scream 7” successfully revitalizes the series, reminding us what made the original films so popular. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel and still struggles with a weak ending, it delivers on the core elements fans love: creative and shocking kills, a compelling villain, and a strong lead character. After thirty years, that’s likely enough for most fans to keep coming back.

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2026-02-28 22:58