The production of "Scream 7" was plagued by significant turmoil, starting with the departure of directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett in August 2023. Christopher Landon, known for "Happy Death Day," took over, but pre-production was then paused by the SAG-AFTRA strike. Most notably, Melissa Barrera, a star of the previous two "Scream" films, was fired in November 2023 over pro-Palestinian social media comments, leading to co-star Jenna Ortega's departure the following day. A month later, Landon also stepped down, citing the overwhelming pressure and creative difficulties. In an effort to mitigate damage and address criticisms, Spyglass, the production studio, brought back Kevin Williamson, the original writer and creator of the "Scream" franchise, as both writer and director, marking his first directorial effort since 1999.

Amidst the production chaos, Neve Campbell, who sat out "Scream VI" due to a pay dispute, announced her return as Sidney Prescott for the seventh installment in 2024. Other former cast members, some even canonically dead, were also revealed to be returning, highlighting a strong lean into nostalgia. This installment, therefore, arrives with a challenging backstory, viewed by many as a desperate attempt to reignite interest in a franchise perceived to be faltering.

"Scream 7" reintroduces Sidney Prescott, now known as Sidney Evans, leading a quiet small-town life. She runs a coffee shop and is married to local cop Mark Evans (Joel McHale), with whom she has three children. While her two youngest are with their grandparents, Sidney's oldest daughter, Tatum (Isabel May), feels frustrated by her mother's avoidance of her past and her distrust of Tatum’s boyfriend, Ben (Sam Rechner). Despite Sidney's attempts to move on, her infamous history from Woodsboro is well-documented in streaming documentaries and books, making escape from her past impossible.

The familiar terror resurfaces when a couple dies at a rental property meticulously designed to resemble Stu Macher's (Matthew Lillard) old house in Woodsboro. A new Ghostface begins to stalk Sidney's new home, forcing the "final girl" to protect her family once more. The film introduces numerous potential killers within Tatum’s circle, while familiar faces arrive to assist Sidney. Courteney Cox reprises her role as Gale Weathers, and Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding return as Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin, the only actors from the last two sequel films to rejoin the cast.

The "Scream" franchise has always been known for its self-referential nature and commentary on horror tropes, but "Scream 7" struggles to recapture this charm. Its references to the past feel forced and reliant on pure nostalgia, often making the film feel like it's simply playing old hits. The narrative itself even acknowledges its theme of nostalgia for the first movie. While earlier films offered astute commentary on the horror genre, "Scream 7" largely abandons this, failing to develop any new thesis. Although it briefly hints at technology or AI as a theme, using deepfakes and image alteration as plot devices, it doesn't explore their deeper implications, leaving its potential commentary underdeveloped.

Despite a screenplay that many find hollow, Kevin Williamson demonstrates some clever directorial choices. His framing often creates tension, toying with the idea of Ghostface lurking around every corner and playing with different perspectives during attacks, leading to some decent jumpscares. The reunion of Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox is a highlight; their long-standing, conflicted friendship provides a comforting dynamic, even if Gale Weathers has limited involvement in the plot. Among the new cast, Isabel May delivers a serviceable performance as Tatum, portraying the timid daughter of an iconic figure.

However, the film ultimately falls short. It is not particularly scary, and its gore, unlike some previous installments, lacks inventiveness. An early unmasking of Ghostface within the first 45 minutes feels premature and diminishes the mystery. The film also revives Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher, seemingly through deepfake technology, allowing him to interact with Sidney in threatening video calls, yet this plot point doesn't elevate the overall narrative sufficiently. By the time the killer's identity and motive are revealed, the impact is often met with laughter, underscoring how far the franchise has strayed from its original brilliance. "Scream 7" is largely seen as proof that the once-meta horror franchise has exhausted its fresh ideas, becoming indistinguishable from the very films it once satirized. After 30 years, it suggests it might be time for Ghostface to retire the knife, as its reliance on nostalgia has tapped out any remaining goodwill.