Scream 7 wows at the box office but the story suffers

The return of Neve Campbell marks one of the few bright lights in the latest slasher film.

By: Cristian Galvez, Special to The Star 

When the original Scream slashed its way onto the big screen thirty years ago, audiences likely did not anticipate that the film or its cast would remain so relevant today.

What started as a clever tribute to slasher films has evolved into a massive franchise. Scream 7 has topped $192 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing entry in the series.

After serving as the writer for the original Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, Kevin Williamson finally takes his first stab at directing. Neve Campbell returns as the iconic Sidney Prescott-Evans, and while the film initially seems to be in good hands, the pace eventually becomes a bit dull.

Scream 7 follows Sidney and her family—including her husband, Mark (played by Joel McHale), and daughter, Tatum (played by Isabel May)—as they attempt to live a quiet life. However, as the 30th anniversary of the original Woodsboro murders approaches, Ghostface returns with new tricks and begins targeting Sidney’s loved ones. With the help of her old friend Gale Weathers (played by Courteney Cox) and a few other familiar faces, Sidney must fight to protect herself, her daughter, and her friends.

With Williamson in the director’s chair, this installment feels more like a classic Scream movie. In contrast, Scream 5 and Scream 6 often felt like parodies that tried too hard. Williamson’s film offers plenty of references and callbacks that fans will enjoy; ultimately, the movie feels like a sincere tribute to the series and its loyal following. This is a refreshing change from the last two installments, which felt like they were deliberately mocking horror fandom.

The film’s greatest strengths are the performances and the kills, which range from generic to gruesome. Unfortunately, even these elements are not enough to save a boring story with a disappointing twist.

The movie feels like a reverse version of Halloween (2018). Both films feature a legacy "Final Girl" returning to lead the franchise. However, while Laurie Strode raised her daughter to be a survivalist prepared for Michael Myers, Sidney did everything possible to keep her daughter away from her past. This leaves the new generation tragically unprepared to face Ghostface.

Another drawback is the supporting cast. The side characters are so clichéd that it feels as though all the character development was reserved for Sidney’s family and the legacy leads. This is a letdown, as earlier installments were known for their memorable side characters. Despite this, the movie still features moments of genuine tension, and the main subplot will keep audiences guessing.

At times, it seems Scream has slowly become the very thing it originally parodied, though the creators try to mask this by constantly acknowledging slasher clichés. The first three Scream movies remain perfect time capsules of their decade, kept alive by their specific style, fashion, and acting.

When the franchise attempted a comeback in 2011 with Scream 4, it underperformed with both critics and the box office. This was particularly disappointing as it was the final film directed by horror legend Wes Craven, who perfectly balanced terror with dark humor.

It is amazing how far this franchise has come. While it may not be as old as Friday the 13th or A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream has made an indelible mark on horror history. Ghostface is now as recognizable as Dracula or Michael Myers. Scream 7 has its fun moments and suspense, but it is ultimately dragged down by a weak story and even weaker new characters.

Neve Campbell remains the bright spot; it simply feels right to see her again, as Sidney is the heart and soul of the series. While the characters constantly joke about how many times they have survived these attacks, the box office success of Scream 7 suggests that Scream 8 won't stay in the shadows for long.