SCREAM is the most consistently good movie franchise in cinematic history. I challenge you to find another film series that has such longevity, with entertaining and exciting plot twists that even the most diehard fan doesn’t see coming. SCREAM has never had to take the action to outer space (I’m looking at you FAST AND FURIOUS) to mix things up. All it needs is a scream queen, a phone, and a Ghostface. And while SCREAM 7 is definitely the weakest film in the franchise, dedicated fans of the series are still going to have fun… even if it comes with a few cringes and eye-rolls too. Most importantly, I was happy that writer/director brought Neve Campbell back where she belongs… unmasking Ghostface(s) and making it clear if you’re going to come for the queen, you better not miss.
Released 30 years after the original, SCREAM 7 once again demands Sidney Prescott (Campbell) revisit her past. Ghostface finds Sidney, now married with 3 kids, trying to live peacefully in a small Indiana town. She may not want to talk about her past trauma, but the impact still affects her daily life, whether she likes it or not. Sidney has extra security measures at her house and the coffee shop she owns, a police officer husband, and doesn’t let her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May) out of her sight. Random new boyfriend? Sidney is all over it and suspicious of his intentions. She doesn’t even feel comfortable speaking to Tatum about why she decided to name her after her deceased friend (played by Rose McGowan in the original film).
But all of Sidney’s planning still isn’t enough to prepare her for when Ghostface comes calling (literally) again. Taking the form of Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), one of the killers from the original SCREAM, this tech savvy psychopath is obsessed with rehashing the past, warping what’s real and what’s AI. This time, Ghostface is bringing the action to Sidney’s own backyard, looking to target the one thing he knows will terrorize her most, her daughter.
If SCREAM 7 is good for anything, it’s that we finally have Neve Campbell back on our screens, leading the film, as nature intended… something she hasn’t done since SCREAM 4. I don’t even consider SCREAM 6 a “canon” film in the franchise because she’s not in it (the producers refused to pay Campbell she was worth and she backed out of the film). This movie proves that we don’t need Gen Z stunt casting to lead a film, Campbell is the backbone of this series and there is no SCREAM without Sidney Prescott. She plays the character with incredible depth, the years of torture playing on her face and in her actions. She is dismayed that this is all happening again, and now to her daughter, but the fighter in her can’t let this go ignored. As always, Campbell’s chemistry with Courteney Cox is a highlight of the film. This time, I love that the film took the opportunity to explore that shared experience they have throughout the years and how they really feel about each other through it all.
I also appreciated all of the easter eggs from the films that came before, be it the props and set design in the fantastic opening scene or the myriad of cameos sprinkled throughout. It’s clear that this film knows its audience and I can’t wait to uncover even more details in future viewings.
There are some major issues with SCREAM 7 that even I cannot make excuses for. Despite being written and directed by the king of SCREAM himself, Kevin Williamson, at times it felt like the film forgot it was a SCREAM movie. It instead focused more on the cinematic spectacle of the kills versus the cerebral elements that we have come to know and love with the franchise. One kill, involving a draft beer dispenser, was so ridiculous it took me out of the film. The characters also made many more stupid decisions than they usually do, which seemed to be a cheap way to move the plot along; this was particularly out-of-character for a survivor like Sidney, whose entire being has become preparing for Ghostface’s inevitable return. Because I don’t want to give anything away or drop clues about the ending, I will keep some of my issues with that to myself. But I’ll just say this reveal was the most forgettable we have had yet too… and that’s saying a lot after SCREAM 6.
I am not going to pretend that SCREAM 7 is an objectively good movie. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend it for any people that aren’t fans of the SCREAM franchise—this is not Ghostface at his best. But as a diehard fan, I am always going to have fun catching up with Sidney, Gale, and whoever is the latest baddie hiding behind the mask. With how great the box office has done this time around, I think it’s only a matter of time before we get another call from Ghostface… and I’ll be there opening night.
My Review: C+/B-
