In 1996, Scream changed the horror genre. It wasn’t just a great slasher film, it was smart, self-aware, and played with the cliches of horror while still delivering the scares audiences loved. Now, 30 years and many sequels later, we arrive at Scream 7, promoted as the chapter where “it all leads to this.” The big question is simple: is it needed?
Back to the Franchise Roots
The past few Scream films have had their share of positives and negatives, focusing largely on the Carpenter sisters, Sam (played by Melissa Barrera) and Tara (played by Jenna Ortega). Scream 7 returns with a focus back on Sidney Prescott, with Neve Campbell returning to the lead role. The story centers on Sidney’s relationship with her daughter, Tatum (played by Isabel May). Haunted by her past, Sidney struggles to find the balance between being overprotective and genuinely keeping her daughter safe.
Other returning favourites include Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and the iconic voice of Ghostface (Roger L. Jackson). Behind the camera, franchise creator Kevin Williamson takes the director’s chair for the first time. The are also a few exciting cameos which I will not spoil here, but tie directly into the story.
The Good
This may be a controversial take, but for me, this is the most “Scream-feeling” film since the days of Wes Craven. Bringing Sidney back as the focus highlights just how essential she is, not only to this franchise, but to the horror genre as a whole. This is very much a film made for longtime Scream fans.
The kills are brutal, over-the-top, and sometimes downright ridiculous, but in a fun way. Without giving anything away, several of them are incredibly creative. One particular scene set in a bar had the entire cinema laughing hysterically. The film also introduces topical elements involving what may or may not be real regarding AI, which adds an interesting new layer to the story.
The Bad
I left the cinema unsure about the killer’s true motivation. While it is “explained”, the reasoning feels unclear and raises more questions than it answers. After having a look at reddit after the movie, it seems I wasn’t alone in these thoughts. This ties into the reveal itself, which earned more of a confused “huh” than genuine surprise.
Some of the film’s strengths also double as weaknesses. The AI angle is intriguing but doesn’t receive the depth it arguably deserves. Similarly, the new cast feels underused. We don’t learn much about them as characters; instead, many seem to exist primarily as someone to kill (or forget about).
Final Thoughts
If you’re a Scream fan, there’s plenty here to enjoy. If you’re simply looking for a standalone horror film, the heavy reliance on callbacks and franchise history might make it feel tedious. Was this sequel necessary? Probably not. Is it revolutionary? No. But is it fun and worth a watch? I’d say you should give it a chance.
Scream 7 is in cinemas now.
The Review
Scream 7
A movie for Scream fans. It is far from perfect, makes little sense, but a slasher exactly how you expect it.
