Summary
It’s amazing to think how long theScreamfranchise has been around. I rememberthe first time I watchedScreamand was impressed by Ghostface’s costume, the smart Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), and the overall premise. Now, many after I first became interested inhorrormovies, I’m one of countless fans waiting forScream 7.
Although there might be over a year left untilScream 7is released in February 2026, the movie is currently shooting. I’m as curious as other audience members about how Sidney will find out that there is a new Ghostface and how the other characters are going to fit into her life. Of course, the more things change, they more they remain the same, and I’m sureScream 7will offer plenty for fans to feel nostalgic about despite some new characters. However, whileI love that Kevin Williamson is directing, there isone part ofScream 7that makes me pause.
What Meta Commentary Can Scream 7 Have?
TheScreamfranchise has defined itself through a meta commentaryand every entry has commented on a different type of horror movie. For instance,Scream 2talked about sequels andScream (2022)analyzed reboots and requels (and the problems with them). However,what willScream 7be about? This is a question that I find myself asking as more news comes out aboutcast members being addedand which familiar actors are reprising their popular roles.
I think thatScream 6had a tough time deciding on its horror commentaryand that doesn’t bode well forScream 7.Scream 6talked about franchises, but I think this was too vague and general. Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) says “F***k this franchise” in one scene, andMindy andbeloved legacy character Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere)bond when they talk about their favorite horror movies. But did the characters have anything thoughtful or interesting to say about franchises?
What works so well about theScreamfranchise iswhencharacterscomment on horror movie genre rules. Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) infamously did this inScream, and horror fans will never forget it. I loved watching him talk about howfinal girls should never go upstairs, drink, or say “I’ll be right back.“This kind of scene was missing fromScream 6and I’m not sure howScream 7can fix that issue.
There isn’t anything particularly thought-provoking or compelling about the seventh movie in a franchise. It’s hard to think of any good or memorable seventh entries in a horror franchise. By that point,horror movies tend to get stale and repetitive.The most exciting horror sequelsare rarely number five, six, or seven. Just look atFriday the 13th, orthe brutal and violentSawfranchise. Do fans really love any movies past number two or three? Since people often say thatthe original is the best, I thinkScream 7has an uphill battle.
What Meta Horror Commentary Can Scream 7 Have?
When I think about what meta horror commentary could exist inScream 7,I think the new movie has to comment on legacy characters. There are several coming back, includingSidney Prescott, Gale Weathers, Mindy Meeks-Martin, and Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding).Fans have thought about Chad’s arc, and while I’m also eager to see where he and the other characters are now, I think thatScream 7needs to include plenty of jokes about seeing the same faces over and over again.
When Gale and Sidney see each other for the first time inScream 7, I’d love for them tojoke about how they’re final girls. Mindy and Chad could also comment on how they’re legacy characters who are coming back for another sequel because fans wanted them to return. Andif Kirby comes back toScream 7, she could also joke about how she’s returned yet again because audiences always want to see their favorite characters. I think this would be funny and smart and would help solve the problem ofScream 7needing meta commentary.
