‘Scream 7’ review: ghosts of horror past haunt this nostalgia-heavy sequel

By the seventh entry of a franchise, what new tricks can a film teach us old dogs? It’s tempting to say, “not many” – even the Mission: Impossible series peaked with the sixth attempt (Fallout). But horror is a different beast. Fans know that Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (the seventh Nightmare On Elm Street film) was essentially a Scream forerunner. A clever, meta, knowing chiller that paved the way for every scary movie made in the last 30 years. Craven is now long gone but Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream, returns to direct Scream 7.

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Following her absence in the NYC-set Scream 6 – and the much-publicised exit of reboot duo Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera – Neve Campbell also returns as OG protagonist Sidney Prescott. She’s the mum of teen Tatum (Isabel May) now, named for her best pal murdered in the first film. Yep, it’s that kind of film. Full of references, looping circumstances and tricks. Sidney lives in Pine Grove, a boring small town that’s far from Woodsboro (where her parents and friends were murdered all those years ago) but just as tedious. Much like young Sidney, Tatum has an urge for the stage. This penchant for performance invites a killer (or killers) wearing the trademark Ghostface costume into her life. Mum and daughter are soon prey, alongside the usual friends and family including Mark (Community‘s Joel McHale), Sidney’s husband.

Anyone hoping for something as revolutionary as what Craven served up in New Nightmare is liable to be slightly disappointed. Six had the New York setting, five had strong savagery and shocks, this one, in contrast, does have surprises but they are quite tame by Scream standards. A smattering of inventive kills, for sure, the ever-reliable Courtney Cox in the fray as Gale Weathers, yes. But as for the several things some would probably call “spoilers”? None are that exciting, even if people might complain should they be mentioned here. While we’re in negative mode, let’s also be real – even for a horror film, the lighting is far too dark in almost every scene. Shade and shadow are essential in cinema but one shouldn’t have to squint to make out the bulk of the action, especially when the atmosphere and tension is so carefully and intelligently controlled.

When Campbell, Cox or both are on screen, Scream 7 is at its best. Campbell now is as indefatigable a scream queen as Jamie Lee Curtis in the Halloween series, while Weathers is probably Cox’s greatest role, even if the Friends faithful prefer Monica Geller. So, even an average Scream film is worth seeing for the dark thrills and bloody spills we can depend on. Just don’t expect to be wowed.