Scream 7 hits theaters at the end of this week, and it is one of the most anticipated horror movies of the year – here’s seven things we’re most excited about.
There haven’t been many times in cinematic history that the seventh movie in a specific franchise has been met with enthusiasm from the cinema-going public. For any that did make it that far, in times past it would have probably gone straight to video and starred few, if any, of the original cast.
But Scream 7 is different. Ever since it was revealed that Neve Campbell – who played original heroine Sydney Prescot all those years ago – was back on board, anticipation has grown. A drip-feed of information and Easter eggs about potential plot points ever since has only added to that.
Now, the wait is almost over, as it hits theaters on February 27. Here are seven things that we are most looking forward to about Scream 7.
Sydney Prescott’s return
One of the earliest confirmed plot points of Scream 7 was that Sydney Prescott, the heroine of the first four films, would be central to this movie. Sydney was a relatively minor character in Scream 5, and not seen at all in Scream 6, as the franchise focused on a new generation of kids being chased around by Ghostface. But with Neve Campbell’s contract wrangles sorted out, Sydney is back – and about to face yet another Ghostface.
Gale and Dewey are also back
But it isn’t just Sydney who is back. Gale Weathers, the intrepid TV reporter played by Courtney Cox, is also returning.
More interestingly so is David Arquette as Dewey Riley – a character that a fixture in the early movies, and was later married to Gale, but was killed off in Scream 5.
How Gale and Dewey get involved hasn’t been revealed.
A new cast of teens
But, of course, Sydney isn’t going to be on her own. This time, she has her own teenage daughter, Tatum (the franchise has been around so long that this works in a real-life timeline) played by Isabel May, who is a target for the killer, along with her friends, which includes McKenna Grace.
Original writer is directing
Another piece of news to get Scream fans excited was confirmation that Kevin Williamson was on board to direct. Kevin was the creator and screenwriter of the original 1996 movie and wrote the sequel and Scream 4. This time, he’s behind the camera as director, but promising a return to the franchise’s original tone.
A back-to-basics approach
Scream 5 and 6 were noted for taking a different tone to the earlier movies in the franchise, with the violence and gore ratcheted up a few notches. However, Scream 7 is promising a return to a more “grounded” approach, with more focus on suspense and storytelling more akin to original director the late Wes Craven’s vision. This something Neve has spoken about in interviews – although she has added that there will still be gore, for those who like that sort of thing.
Return of old villains
One of the biggest sources of anticipation has been the promise of the return of old villains – including some that have long been assumed to be dead, including Stu Macher, one of the killers in the original Scream movie, and Roman Bridger, Scream 3’s Ghostface.
Quite how these characters will be brought back hasn’t been revealed in the trailers. Are some still alive – it is always possible in horror franchises – or will it be done through a flashback or dream sequence? Or maybe some other device? Who knows – but fans of Scream will be happy to see favourite villains return.
A new setting
Scream movies have traditionally been set in New York City, but this time the action is removed to a smaller, quieter town – where Sydney has been living a quiet life. The change in location opens up potential for a different dynamic to the story, and possibly a more intimate, claustrophobic feel.
