"Scream 7" Cuts Deep- But Not Quite Clean.

“Scream 7,” The latest entry in the beloved horror franchise, slashes into theaters under the direction of Kevin Williamson and is produced by Paramount Pictures. Williamson co-wrote the screenplay with Guy Busick, based on a story by James Vanderbilt and Busick.

The latest film is set in modern-day California, where Sidney Prescott-Evans (Neve Campbell) is happily married to local police chief Mark (Joel McHale). The couple shares three children, including their oldest daughter, Tatum (Isabel May). Although Sidney has put her traumatic past behind her, she remains overly protective of her daughter.

When a murder occurs in Sidney’s hometown, the killer makes their way to Sidney’s new town, hoping to be the one who finally ends her life. Naturally, sensing a story, Sidney’s old friend Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) arrives with her new assistants, Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown). With the stakes higher than ever, Sidney prepares to face Ghostface once more.

It’s hard to believe that I saw the first film when I was fifteen during my first year of high school, and now my son is seventeen and getting ready to graduate. That said, I’ve always known what to expect from a “Scream” film, and this latest entry mostly delivers in that regard.

After the traditional opening scene where unlikely victims meet a grisly fate, the plot picks up. Kudos to the script for giving us a seasoned Sidney, one who bears battle scars but refuses to let them define her. I was fully invested in her relationship with Mark and her daughter, as the actors portraying them have a natural chemistry that works well.

Similarly, the other returning cast members, including Gooding, Savoy Brown, and Cox, provide a humorous touch that feels organic and never forced. If you’ve been following the press, you know that previously deceased cast members are making a return. While I won’t delve too deeply into spoilers, I can say that the angle they take does work. However, there are other issues with the film.

Outside of Sidney’s family, the new characters are paper-thin and only here to be victims of Ghostface. Furthermore, part of the franchise’s enduring appeal has always been the game of guessing who the killer—or killers—might be, and this installment features one of the more unusual motives in the series.

The explanation ultimately feels underdeveloped. While the actor behind Ghostface delivers a compelling performance, the script fails to provide the foundation needed to support the reveal fully. As a result, the performance is strong, but the writing does not give it the narrative weight it deserves.

Nevertheless, Kevin Williamson impresses in his directorial role and makes a commendable return to the franchise.

Final Grade: B

“Scream 7” is in theaters now.