The Scream franchise is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary this year and added a 7th installment to the iconic franchise.
The slasher franchise adds a new installment and adding characters as it saw Neve Campbell return to the film series after sitting out Scream 6 due to creative and financial disputes as well as a old favourite from the original returning with Matthew Lillard. The film saw the departure of Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera who became the focus in Scream 5 and 6, after Barrera was fired over political statements and Ortega left due to Barrera’s firing while also citing her already busy filming scheduling. Helping to fill the void is the introduction of Sidney Prescott’s (now Evans) husband and teenage daughter, played by Joel McHale of Community fame and Isabel May who is known for 1883 and 1923 of the Yellowstone franchise as well as Young Sheldon.
So what is the 7th installment about well:
When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
Personally I found the Scream franchise was hitting lows with the last few installments, that kept focusing too much on the past than telling new stories, I mean how many times can new Ghostface killers can go after Sydney Prescott. This one gave me the revived Halloween franchise vibes with the return of Sydney Prescott and the strained family dynamic, but it works as her daughter Tatum, named for Sydney’s best friend from the first movie, is the same age Sydney was when this all got started. I enjoyed the use of technology in the story that really made it feel like it is present modern day as well as the bringing the original idea that appeared to be the plan or idea for Scream 3 to light in the with this one and layered it in.
It was a compelling story, though I feel like we never really got to know the new characters to properly establish things as best as they could, and they really upped the gore factor in this one, which was slightly unnecessary.
In the end it is hard to explain more without spoiling the movie but if you like the Scream movies you will enjoy this one. Not sure where they go from here will reports another one is in the works.
Final Grade: 8/10
Check out the trailer:
– Everett
