Neve Campbell is back as Sidney Prescott and original “Scream” writer Kevin Willamson returns to direct the seventh edition of this film franchise. On paper, “Scream 7” raises the hope that it could be the best of the bunch. However, this addition to the series is a reminder that nostalgia is no substitute for originality.
The film’s reliance on the familiar faces of Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox–as reporter Gale Weathers–overshadows the new characters, and sets aside long-established franchise fun for the cheap thrill of jump scares. The “whodunit” aspect that has been a staple of the franchise lacks depth in this outing, as the killers are in no way relevant to the backstory that has been constructed over three decades of “Scream” movies.
The plot finds a new “ghostface” killer emerging in a quiet town where Sidney has built a new life. While at work, Sidney gets a mysterious call from someone she knows saying he is about to kill her daughter, Tatum (Isabel May). With her daughter and her friends at risk, Sidney is forced to face the horrors of her past once more and, as a result, meets up with an old friend in order to prevent more killings and violence. The film excels in showcasing the strong mother-daughter dynamic between Sidney and Tatum, while also maintaining suspense during kill scenes that are more violent, gory, and creative than what we’ve seen in the franchise’s past.
Despite these elements, the film’s biggest stumbling block is its reliance on nostalgia and the return of legacy characters to move the plot along. The film’s fixation on discussing and rehashing events that took place in previous “Screams” cuts into the time necessary for the audience to bond with the next generation of potential victims. Even though the twins from Scream 5 and 6–Mindy and Chad–appear in the newest film, they do not get enough screen time to make their roles feel relevant or necessary. As for the “kill” scenes–a central element of every “Scream” movie–they felt rushed. The movie introduced new characters, who appeared ephemerally, and the next minute they were dead. And the highlight of every “Scream” movie–the ultimate reveal of the “ghostface” killer–felt dull and uninteresting this time around.
“Scream 7” is not without pleasures: Campbell’s character is fierce; some of the kills genuinely land; and there’s warmth in seeing legacy characters again. But nostalgia is supposed to be used as a way to excite fans, while in this movie it’s used more as a tool to fill up time. For a franchise built on a distinct horror storyline and the use of unique ideas, props, and dialogue, this movie has become exactly what the series once mocked.
Grade: B
