Scream 7 Review: Cringeworthy Nostalgia Play Just Killed the Franchise

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It’s rare for a movie series to successfully update itself, and even rarer to do it more than once. The 2022 release of Scream managed to do just that, surprising many viewers. The fifth film, also titled Scream, brought the iconic slasher series back to life after more than ten years since Scream 4, proving that a seemingly finished franchise could be revived.

The 2022 Scream movie successfully mixed familiar faces with new ones, cleverly acknowledging its history while still feeling fresh and original. The film benefited from strong performances by rising stars like Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, and Mikey Madison. However, Scream 7, released just over four years later, tries to replicate this approach but fails dramatically.

Scream 7’s Tortured Production History Is Reflected In the Final Product

Right from the start, Scream 7 feels unsure of what it wants to be. The film has been plagued by behind-the-scenes issues, most notably the firing of Melissa Barrera, which sparked a huge fan outcry and boycott threats. This led to Jenna Ortega also leaving the project, along with the original writers and directors.

Honestly, after a lot of behind-the-scenes drama, the studio finally decided to go back to what made Scream great in the first place. They brought in Kevin Williamson, the writer of the very first movie, to direct, which was a huge relief. And thankfully, they managed to get Neve Campbell back as Sidney! She’d turned down Scream VI over a salary dispute, but they clearly realized how important she is to the series and offered her a deal she couldn’t refuse. As a long-time fan, I was so happy to hear that!

While it initially seemed good to have Campbell and Williamson back, Scream 7 doesn’t recapture the magic of the original films and feels like a weak copy.

The movie centers on Sidney Prescott, now a mother and wife, who continues to be haunted by her past. Her husband, Mark (played by Joel McHale, though the casting feels off), and their teenage daughter, Tatum, are also central to the story. Their two younger children are sent to stay with their grandmother in Denver before the main events unfold. The film’s main idea – the challenges of protecting children from a dangerous world and the potential consequences of overprotecting them – is delivered somewhat clumsily, often through direct, unsubtle dialogue and obvious comparisons. For example, a character bluntly tells Tatum she should be tougher, given her mother’s history.

It feels like the creators first decided on a central theme and the emotions they wanted to evoke, and then built a story around those ideas. Unfortunately, the plot is weak and full of noticeable holes, culminating in an ending that doesn’t hold up to even a little bit of thought.

Scream 7’s Nostalgia Feels Cheap & Cringy

The new movie relies a lot on bringing back actors from previous films, especially Matthew Lillard, who had been wanting to reprise his role as Stu Macher for a long time. It was already known beforehand that David Arquette would appear as Dewey Riley, even though his character died in the last Scream movie. While several other actors who played Ghostface also make cameos, the surprise is lost because their appearances were expected. (I was hoping to see one particular Ghostface return, but they didn’t.)

Seeing these familiar characters again is definitely a highlight – Courteney Cox returning as Gale Weathers is a particular standout moment. However, their appearances feel forced, mostly to reinforce the movie’s repetitive message that Sidney can’t outrun her history, a theme we’ve seen explored countless times over the years.

Williamson borrows heavily from the 1996 film at various moments, even recreating a scene with the town curfew almost exactly – he even uses the same Nick Cave song, “Red Right Hand.” Despite being his own previous work, these references don’t feel creative or playful; instead, they come across as forced and heavy-handed.

It’s pretty clear the movie acknowledges Neve Campbell wasn’t in the latest installment. Characters repeatedly mention Sidney Prescott “missing out” on the events in New York, or that the killings didn’t really “count” without her. The point is made – we all know Campbell wasn’t in the last film!

The New Cast Isn’t Memorable & Neither are the Deaths (Mostly)

The new group of teenagers in Scream 7 feel less like actual people and more like familiar horror movie stereotypes. Characters like Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin, who now carry on the tradition of self-aware commentary started by their uncle Randy, even label them as simply “the boyfriend” and “the weirdo.” While the film seems to be aiming for cleverness by acknowledging these tropes, it comes across as uninspired and repetitive, especially since Scream 4 explored similar territory more effectively years ago.

At this stage, the biggest issue for the Scream franchise is how to stay fresh. It’s been around for so long that it feels like every possible plot twist has already been used. They’ve tried everything – the obvious killer, the unexpected one, and even revisiting seemingly predictable scenarios. The constant theorizing from characters like Mindy and Chad is exhausting because they end up going in circles, ultimately revealing the problem: nothing the franchise does now will truly surprise audiences. It’s simply run out of new tricks.

Okay, so while the movie wasn’t perfect, I’ll give them credit – they definitely tried to get creative with how people met their end. Nothing was quite as memorably shocking as some of the classic horror deaths – you know, like Stu with the TV or Tatum with the garage door – but there were a couple of really gruesome moments that actually got a laugh-groan out of me and the rest of the audience. Seriously, the beer spigot scene was… something.

Has Scream 7 Killed the Franchise For Good?

I’m personally done with these characters, and the ending definitely feels like the story is over. However, given the projected box office numbers, it’s almost certain another Scream movie will be made.

Look, I’m a big fan of Scream 4, and I truly believe the series still has potential. But if it’s going to work again, it has to move on from Sidney Prescott and that old storyline. Neve Campbell is fantastic, and I love seeing a strong female lead who isn’t a teenager, but honestly, Sidney’s chapter feels closed. That’s why it made sense to focus on characters like the Carpenter sisters – a fresh start. When Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera were let go, it was a huge blow, and you could tell the studio was panicking. But trying to recapture the past with this new approach just isn’t working, in my opinion.

Scream 7 is in theaters February 27, 2026.

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2026-02-26 17:07