I’ve always thought that Ghostface, the masked murderer from the “Scream” franchise, is among the more fun slasher-film killers. Though Kevin Williamson’s “Scream 7” is not scary, it is no less fun than the franchise’s earlier films.
After her absence from New York in “Scream 6,” Neve Campbell stars again as Sidney Evans, the franchise’s enduring survivor of the iconic Ghostface. Aided by old friends and surprised by an old enemy, Sidney fights to protect her family.
Many characters feel distant from Sidney, including her daughter Tatum Evans — played by Isabel May — who seeks her mother’s strength when Ghostface reappears to haunt Sidney. May’s acting as Tatum can be awkward at times, but otherwise, she plays a believable troubled teenager. Campbell and Courteney Cox — who reprises the role of Gale Weathers — have a very natural dynamic onscreen.
The film begins by literally and figuratively flipping the script. Two fans of “Stab” — the franchise’s fictional counterpart — visit a replica of the house of Stu Macher, played by Matthew Lillard. The house is the final setting of Wes Craven’s 1996 “Scream.” Serving as an amusement park for “Stab” fans, the site includes mock Ghostface phone calls that the real Ghostface soon takes over.
Ghostface gets creative with his murders in “Scream 7.” Whether disemboweling someone swinging in a harness or putting someone’s head through a beer tap, Ghostface’s inventive methods made my jaw drop.
The film provides lots of comic relief. While this weakens the horror, it makes the film more family-friendly. After all, the film is ultimately about Sidney’s relationship with her family, despite her trauma from Ghostface.
The family dynamic in “Scream 7” also comes out in the pacing. The murders begin before Tatum and her friends can host a party they have planned. The sudden departure from teen antics is startling, and there are action-filled moments throughout the rest of the film.
The callbacks to other “Scream” movies are some of the best parts of the film. Sidney tells Tatum’s boyfriend Ben — played by Sam Rechner — to leave after he sneaks through Tatum’s bedroom window. This is reminiscent of the original “Scream,” where Billy Loomis — played by Skeet Ulrich — sneaks through Sidney’s window. Also reminiscent of classic “Scream,” Sidney fears the possibility that Ghostface has multiple true identities.
For the soundtrack, “Scream” fans won’t be disappointed to hear Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ “Red Right Hand.” Like in the first film, the song plays once curfew begins and the action intensifies.
Through Ghostface’s doubles, “Scream 7” makes a surprisingly nice criticism of artificial intelligence. Ben attempts to make a deepfake of himself as Stu Macher, adding extra trouble to Ghostface’s multiple identities. Because Ben is Tatum’s boyfriend, we can easily imagine him also being Ghostface, like Billy in “Scream.” Along with Ghostface’s fake voices, this keeps viewers on their toes.
For better and worse, “Scream 7” is conscious of itself and society. Characters mention other media such as Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and even Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights.” On the one hand, this is consistent with the metanarrative about horror in “Scream,” as well as Sidney’s vision of bygone characters that reminds viewers of the series’ longevity. On the other hand, it makes the film seem like it’s desperate to prove itself.
If you can get past its lack of horror, “Scream 7” is a fun addition to the slasher series that has always played with the genre’s tropes. Whenever it comes, I’m up for one last scare.