Coming in on unlucky number seven for the “Scream” movie franchise, director Kevin Williamson is stuck in the past for most of the latest slasher film’s runtime. Recurring characters, iconic locations and recognizable mannerisms and phrases used in previous “Scream” movies provide some nostalgic comfort but disappoint in the element of surprise.
Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers and, unexpectedly, Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher were all featured in the film, maintaining their classic character tropes since ‘96. Although Macher’s presence was appreciated, his involvement with the rest of the cast was lackluster and disappointing.
Macher is only featured in the film through video call, robbing the audience of a possibly satisfying physical reunion between the original’s villain and Prescott. Returning as one of the original “Ghostface” killers hunting for Prescott, Macher’s lack of on-screen presence was not completely for sentimental thrill as his character lore plays an intriguing role in the screen writing.
As one of the three screenwriters credited for “Scream 7,” Williamson’s writing is undoubtedly interesting for his meta awareness, but when a majority of the script lacks originality, it leaves the audience unimpressed. Instead of expanding the “Scream” universe, it limits growth by using old characters, locations and plotlines.
Featuring recognizable locations from the first “Scream” movie provides a short-lived, reminiscent feeling to the audience. It is safe to say that “Scream 7” fails in creativity, but it compensates with jump scares and alluring slasher sequences. The pacing of the jump scares could have used some inspiration from the first film, in this case compared to other parts of the movie. Taking anecdotes and strategies used during Williamson’s first “Scream” film is not an entirely bad strategy, but when used as a crutch for the majority of the film, it is in bad taste.
To those who may despise the “Scream” franchise, this movie is good to revel in one’s petty feelings. If this particular thriller series is interesting to an audience member, rest assured it caters entirely to the audience with nostalgic indulgence, millennial humor and classic jump scares.
