“When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.”

The Scream franchise has been delivering meta horror thrills and unforgettable kills since Wes Craven’s groundbreaking original in 1996, and the recent films under Radio Silence brought a refreshing new chapter with fresh blood, clever commentary, and a new generation of characters. Scream 7, directed by Kevin Williamson, writer of the original film, continues that momentum. Unfortunately, outside factors and significant production shake-ups led to drastic changes from the originally planned story, which proves to be an unfortunate detriment to the final product.

Still, the returning cast shines where it counts. The Meeks-Martin twins (Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding) remain a definite highlight of the new era of the franchise. Their banter, horror-nerd insights, and sibling dynamic provide some of the film’s best moments. The rest of the cast delivers solid performances overall, with Neve Campbell once again proving she is the ultimate Scream Queen. Her return as Sidney Prescott carries real emotional weight and commanding presence.

The film has some good kills and genuinely creepy moments that deliver the goods for longtime fans. That said, the story fails to fully recapture that burning “Who is the killer this time?” mystery that has always been at the heart of the best Scream entries. Fans have seen enough red herrings over the years to know nothing is as it seems, but this one doesn’t quite land with the same tension or surprise.

Whether or not it’s sequel fatigue, or just plain misguided direction and story, Scream 7 unfortunately, for me, ranks as one of the worst of the franchise, and putting it below Scream 3 says a lot. Scream 8 is reportedly in development, and will need some major course correcting to overcome the damage this film has done on the franchise.

Paramount’s 4K UHD release looks sharp with Dolby Vision HDR. The nighttime sequences, and small-town settings have strong contrast, deep blacks, and excellent detail that make the horror elements pop. The film really stands out in 4k.

Audio is presented in immersive Dolby Atmos, delivering dynamic surrounds for the screams, chases, and score. The mix heightens the tension effectively, with clear dialogue from the center channel in the midst of all the chaos.

The 4k set comes with a slipcover, Blu-ray disc and digital code. Extras also include:

• Scar Tissue: The Making of Scream 7
• Building Tension: Production Design
• Dance of Death: Stunts
• Ice Nine Kills Presents “Twisting the Knife” Featuring Mckenna Grance (Music Video)
• Deleted Scenes

Scream 7 on 4K is a decent but uneven entry in the long-running franchise. While it has fun moments, familiar legacy performances from those that are left in the franchise, and some solid kills, the rewritten story and ending of the film can leave a sour taste. Still worth a watch for dedicated fans, but it doesn’t quite live up to the potential of its new direction. This one is released on 6/16.