Scream 7 (2026) Review

Scream 7 arrives with a mix of excitement and caution. At this point in the franchise, you know exactly what you’re getting. A masked killer, sharp dialogue, self-aware horror tropes, and a third act reveal that’s meant to leave you stunned. This entry absolutely delivers on some of that. But it also stumbles in ways that stop it from being one of the stronger instalments. First things first, this is a spoiler free review.

Sidney Prescott returns once again, and seeing Neve Campbell step back into the role feels right. Sidney is now married and living what looks like a stable life in Texas, raising her daughter Tatum, named after her late best friend Tatum Riley. That small detail alone is a lovely nod to the original film and long time fans will appreciate it. But of course, peace never lasts in the world of Scream. Ghostface returns, and this time the terror is far from Woodsboro.

The shift to Texas gives the film a slightly different energy. It still feels like Scream, but the setting offers something fresh visually. Wide open spaces, suburban homes, and a different social backdrop change the atmosphere just enough to make it feel like we are not simply repeating the same formula again.

In many ways, this is your standard Scream movie. There are familiar beats, red herrings, suspicious friend groups, meta commentary about horror franchises, and plenty of self awareness. It knows what it is. It leans into that. And for a large chunk of the runtime, it works. The acting across the board is solid. Neve Campbell proves once again why Sidney Prescott is one of horror’s most enduring final girls. She plays Sidney with maturity and quiet strength, no longer the terrified teenager but a survivor who knows exactly what this world demands of her. Courteney Cox returns as Gale Weathers and brings her usual sharp edge. It is always entertaining watching Gale navigate chaos with that mix of ambition and grit.

The newer cast members hold their own too. The younger ensemble, who form the main suspect pool, are convincing enough to keep you guessing. There is chemistry, tension, and just enough awkwardness to make everyone feel like a potential Ghostface. Nobody feels phoned in. Even smaller roles are handled with care.

Visually, the film looks good. The cinematography is clean and polished. There are a few strong sequences, particularly in the kill scenes, where the camera movement and lighting create genuine suspense.

Speaking of chaos, the kills are creative. Ghostface has always been known for inventive and brutal attacks, and this film does not shy away from that tradition. The way some of the victims are taken out feels fresh and visually engaging. There is a level of creativity in the staging of these murders that keeps the middle section of the film exciting. You can tell the filmmakers wanted to push beyond simple stab and run moments. There are sequences that are tense, bloody, and genuinely well crafted. Now, here is where things get tricky.

For every good choice this film makes, there is a frustrating one to balance it out. The story itself is actually strong for most of the runtime. The mystery is engaging. The suspects feel layered enough. There are moments where you start piecing things together, then doubt yourself. That is exactly what a Scream movie should do. But then we get to the third act.

And this is where it falls apart.

The reveal of Ghostface is meant to hit with a massive impact. The kind of reveal where the audience collectively gasps and says there is no way. That classic Scream moment of betrayal and shock. Instead, my reaction was more along the lines of confusion. I was not shocked. I was not stunned. I was mostly thinking, why?

The identity of Ghostface just does not feel earned. The motive feels thin and underdeveloped. It is explained, but not in a way that feels satisfying. In previous films, even the more ridiculous motives had a twisted logic that made sense within the world. Here, it feels like the film is rushing to get to the final showdown without properly building the emotional weight behind the reveal. That lack of impact really hurts the third act. Because once you remove the power of the reveal, what you are left with is a fairly standard final confrontation. The tension dips. The dialogue, which had been sharp and self aware earlier, starts to feel a bit forced. It wants to land that big cultural moment, that jaw dropping twist. But instead, it feels slightly undercooked.

It is frustrating because the film does so much right beforehand. The first two acts set up something promising. There are solid character moments. There are creative kills. There are emotional callbacks. But the third act simply does not stick the landing. That being said, it is not a disaster. It is still a fun watch. It still has that familiar Scream rhythm. The meta humour still lands more often than it misses. And for long time fans, just seeing Sidney back in action will be enough to justify the ticket price.

This entry sits comfortably in the middle of the franchise. It is not one of the worst, but it is far from the best. It has flashes of brilliance, especially in the kill sequences and performances, but it ultimately loses points for a reveal that fails to deliver the emotional punch it was clearly aiming for.

Walking out of the cinema, I felt entertained but not blown away. I did not have that adrenaline rush that the best Scream entries leave you with. Instead, I had a lingering feeling that with a slightly stronger third act and a more thought out motive, this could have been something special.

Instead, it is solid. Decent. Enjoyable. But flawed. That’s why I rate this film a 6.5/10