Scream (2026) | Film Review

If this really is the last Scream film, then Ghostface goes out swinging... before tripping and falling on their own knife like something you’d see in Scary Movie.

Much like the legacy sequels that came before it, this latest chapter leans heavily on the past – sometimes effectively, sometimes desperately – but there’s no denying that for a good stretch, it’s an entertaining return to the blood-soaked chaos this franchise is famous for. At least… up until that killer reveal.

Let’s start with the positives, because there are plenty.

First and foremost, this is an out-and-out Sidney Prescott story, and seeing Neve Campbell back in the lead role feels right. There’s a confidence and emotional weight to her performance that anchors the film, even when the script starts wobbling. Sidney isn’t just back for nostalgia’s sake – this is her film, and Campbell absolutely commands it. After everything this character has endured, it’s refreshing to see her front and centre again rather than orbiting around a new generation.

Speaking of which, Isabel May makes for a strong addition as the new final girl. She holds her own alongside Campbell and brings a grounded vulnerability that works well in the film’s tenser moments. There’s real potential there, and she proves herself more than capable in the third act chaos. Then there’s Joel McHale, who is clearly having the time of his life. Channeling the spirit of Dewey but with a harder edge, he brings that old-school charm mixed with a surprising badass streak. It’s one of the film’s more enjoyable performances, striking a balance between humour and grit without tipping into parody.

The kills? Oh, some of them are fantastic- one involving a beer tap was particularly gnarly. Brutal, inventive, and occasionally meaner than expected. When Scream 7 embraces its slasher roots, it delivers and makes for enjoyable viewing. There are a couple of sequences that genuinely crackle with tension, reminding you why this franchise has endured for nearly three decades.

The soundtrack is another highlight – slick, moody, and perfectly timed. And of course, Roger L. Jackson once again proves that no one does Ghostface quite like him. That voice remains horror perfection: playful, menacing, and instantly iconic. Still cracks me up he’s Mojo Jojo from The Powerpuff Girls.

Without diving into spoiler territory, I’ll say this – I did appreciate how the film brings back the echoes of Stu (and others) to psychologically torment Sidney. It’s a clever idea on paper, tapping into legacy and trauma rather than just body count. Unfortunately, that’s where one of the film’s biggest problems creeps in. Because while Scream 7 starts strong, it gradually becomes clear that the script is… a bit of a mess really.

The story feels muddled, undercooked, and strangely surface-level. Threads are introduced but never fully explored. Emotional beats don’t land as hard as they should. And then there’s the killer reveal – potentially the weakest in the entire franchise. In a series built on sharp whodunnit twists and biting commentary, this one feels rushed, thin, and oddly uninspired. It lacks the shock, cleverness, or thematic punch that the best reveals delivered. Even I was sat their asking myself “What the actual f*ck? Are you f*cking kidding me?!”

Worse still, the film leans far too heavily on nostalgia. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for nostalgia, but Christ you can’t cram loads of it in and expect it to carry the film. Some callbacks work; others were literally lifted directly from earlier entries with little attempt to reinterpret or subvert them. Instead of the sharp, self-aware meta slasher that once deconstructed horror tropes, Scream 7 occasionally falls victim to the very clichés it used to mock.

There’s also a frustrating sense that nothing is truly fleshed out. Characters – including the criminally underused Mckenna Grace – are introduced with promise and then left hanging (pun intended). Grace, in particular, feels utterly wasted. It’s the kind of casting that should have resulted in something memorable, but instead she’s barely given room to breathe.

Scream (2026) | Film Review

And while we’re talking about legacy characters, Mindy and Chad were enjoyable enough, but it feels like Courteney Cox may as well not have been in it. Her presence adds little, and it’s hard not to feel like she deserved more – especially after what she’s endured over the last six films. Even more so if this is actually the end.

Then there are the plot holes. Not minor nitpicks, but glaring, painfully obvious gaps that are either ignored or brushed aside. In a franchise that built its reputation on smart writing and structural tightness, that’s a tough pill to swallow. I found myself frustrated with this more than I’ve ever been with a Scream film.

And to continue the utter nonsense that has been going since 2022’s Scream, apparently Ghostface now operates under Marvel rules. People survive things they absolutely shouldn’t, and the stakes feel softened. I’m still annoyed Chad survived being stabbed multiple times in Scream, and then about another seventy-five f*cking times in Scream VI. Good God man, I’ve seen Disney kill people off in their films for less. I mean, for a series that once shocked audiences by killing major characters without hesitation, that reluctance to truly pull the trigger dulls the impact. Just a massive cop out for me.

If this is the final chapter, it ends on an oddly uncertain note and feels like a bit of a wasted opportunity. It’s nowhere near as divisive (or crap) as Halloween Ends, but the comparison lingers. Both films attempt something slightly different with legacy characters and risk alienating fans in the process. And much like Ends, I found myself leaving the cinema a bit frustrated. Scream 7 isn’t a disaster – far from it – but it may well be a contender for the weakest entry in the franchise.

And that’s the real heartbreak.

Because when it works, it really works. The performances are strong. The atmosphere is there. Sidney Prescott remains one of horror’s greatest final girls. But a franchise built on razor-sharp wit, layered mystery, and bold commentary deserves a finale that cuts deeper than this.

Entertaining? Yes. Memorable for the right reasons? I’m not so sure.

Where would I rank it within the franchise? Dead last, no questions asked and not even a close call. From best to worst my ranking would be Scream, Scream 4 (I still don't understand the hate this one gets), Scream 2, Scream (2022), Scream VI, Scream 3 and finally Scream 7.

Do I truly believe this is the end for both Scream & Ghostface? Hell no. This film’s on track to make an absolute killing at the box office, and nothing quite revives a once dead slasher icon like money. All seen it happen with Michael Myers, Chucky, Freddy Krueger, Candyman, Jason Voorhees, Latherface and more- so I'm not holding my breath. I mean, I'll at least try and act surprised when they announce the next film.

If this is goodbye, bringing Campbell back feels like a rushed and wasted opportunity, and Ghostface certainly deserved a much sharper blade. If it's not Ghostface's last dance with death (surprise surprise), then they need to come back with something a lot better than this. I may not have left the cinema entirely happy, but I left with a kick-ass Ghostface souvenir cup!

Scream 7 is out now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g8OciWNJn4