‘Scream 7’ First Reactions: Neve Campbell’s Return Marks Franchise’s Goriest Chapter

The Scream franchise has carved out a unique place in horror history, and the latest installment, Scream 7, is already sparking strong reactions after its Los Angeles premiere.

A Bloody Return for Sidney Prescott

Neve Campbell, reprising her iconic role as Sidney Prescott, headlines Kevin Williamson’s new vision for the series. Williamson, the original writer behind Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, steps in as both writer and director this time, promising a mix of nostalgia and fresh terror.

Critics Call It the Goriest Yet

Early reactions highlight the film’s brutal edge. Joey Magidson of Awards Radar labeled it “an effective slasher” and “the goriest of the series,” though he criticized a subplot involving artificial intelligence as “generic horror.”

Variety’s Clayton Davis took a different stance, praising the film as “fun as hell” with “nostalgic call backs” and “gruesome kills.” Entertainment reporter Mike Gambaro echoed that enthusiasm, calling it “the most fun I’ve had since the original” thanks to “wildly creative kills” and “dark meta humor.”

Nostalgia Meets Innovation

Fandango’s Erik Davis described Scream 7 as “a love letter to the first three Scream movies,” applauding its “clever kills” and declaring the opening sequence “one of the series’ best.”

A Tumultuous Path to Release

The film’s journey was far from smooth. Melissa Barrera was fired in 2023 over political comments, followed by the exits of director Christopher Landon and co-star Jenna Ortega. The project regained momentum when Campbell agreed to return after a prior pay dispute.

Ensemble Cast and Release

Alongside Campbell, the cast includes Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Matthew Lillard, Joel McHale, and Courteney Cox. Scream 7 slashes into theaters on February 27, 2026, with fans eager to see if the franchise’s bloodiest chapter lives up to the hype.