The buzz surrounding “Scream 7,” the latest entry in the iconic horror-comedy franchise, has taken a chilling turn. Following the early release of critic reviews, the film currently holds a dismal score of just 42 percent on Rotten Tomatoes based on 50 evaluations, potentially marking it as the lowest-rated film in the series’ history. This score puts it slightly behind “Scream 3,” which holds a 45 percent rating.
Neve Campbell returns to reprise her famous role as Sidney Prescott, while the series creator Kevin Williamson directs for the first time. As the film opened to reviews on Thursday, it has received a mixed bag of responses from critics, contributing to its ranking as the worst-reviewed installment thus far. Previous installments enjoyed more favorable ratings, with “Scream 4” at 61 percent and the highly-praised “Scream 2” at 83 percent.
The Hollywood Reporter characterized “Scream 7” as feeling tedious despite a high body count, criticizing the script for lacking the humor and creativity of earlier films. In what seems like a drastic critique, The Daily Beast called it “shockingly terrible,” highlighting its sluggishness and over-reliance on familiar tropes.
On a somewhat brighter note, some reviews do offer a glimmer of hope for fans. Mashable praised “Scream 7” as a return to form, celebrating the comedic elements provided by the Meeks-Martin twins and the energy brought to the film by its new younger cast members. UPI even hailed it as the best “Scream” film since the 1990s, acknowledging the brutality and elegance of its kill scenes and suggesting it avoids the overly meta-commentary that plagued its predecessors.
Despite the critical response, the film is still poised for a successful box office opening, anticipated to gross around $60 million globally, potentially making it the second-best opening in the franchise’s history. This suggests that while the critics may not be impressed, the loyal fan base of the series may still turn out in droves to experience the latest chapter in Sidney Prescott’s story.
In essence, as audiences prepare to immerse themselves in the chilling world of “Scream 7,” the contrasting opinions may further fuel the excitement and anticipation surrounding its release, proving once again that the franchise remains a fascinating facet of modern horror cinema.