SCREAM 7 Brings the Franchise Back to Wes Craven’s Vision and It Won't Be as Gory, Says Neve Campbell

The next chapter of the Scream franchise is on the way, and according to franchise star Neve Campbell, fans can expect a shift in tone.

With Scream 7 set to hit theaters on February 27, the film is aiming to realign the series with the spirit of creator Wes Craven, especially when it comes to the level of gore.

After two sequels that pushed the violence further than ever before, Campbell says this one pulls things back to a place that feels more in step with the original vision.

Campbell recently opened up in an interview with Evolution Of Horror about how she felt watching the last two installments. While many fans embraced the heightened brutality of Scream (2022) and Scream 6, she admits it wasn’t exactly her preference.

"I had felt that those last 2 were sort of, uh, went in a direction that was sort of off path with Wes, with how he did gore, or how he did the killings.

“I had felt that, for my personal preference, it was a bit far. If it’s grounded, it’s okay. It’s going to be more effective if it’s grounded."

That idea of “grounded” horror was a huge part of what made the original 1996 Scream such a game-changer. Craven directed the first four films in the franchise before his passing in 2015, shaping the series into a smart, self-aware slasher saga that balanced sharp commentary with tension and character-driven storytelling.

More than a decade after the original run, directing duo Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, known for Ready or Not, stepped in to helm the fifth and sixth films.

Their entries found a new audience and injected fresh energy into the brand, but they also leaned harder into brutal kill sequences and intense set pieces. For some longtime fans, the tonal shift was definitely noticeable.

Campbell isn’t alone in thinking that. Matthew Lillard, who memorably played one of the original Ghostface killers, Stu Macher, also weighed in during a previously interview. While he appreciated what the new filmmakers brought to the table, he admitted he had reservations about how far the violence went.

He said the directors were taking the franchise in a "really exciting" direction, but he also "thought the movie got too violent." Lillard even called out a specific moment in Scream 6, saying, "I don’t think Ghostface ever needs a shotgun."

That comment speaks to how different the newer films have felt compared to the earlier entries, where suspense and psychological tension often did as much heavy lifting as the on-screen carnage.

With Scream 7, the creative reins shift again. This time, the film is directed by Kevin Williamson, the writer who wrote the script for every installment of the franchise. Having one of the original architects of Scream back in charge has fans hopeful that the series will recapture some of its original DNA.

That doesn’t mean the movie is going soft, though. Campbell is clear that horror fans who crave blood won’t be left out.

Although she says the film is "not as gory" as the previous two entries, she also promised, "there are definitely scenes that are very gory," adding, "for the people who love gore, it’s definitely there."

So expect a recalibration rather than a complete overhaul. The violence is still part of the formula, but it sounds like it will serve the story instead of trying to top the last shocking moment.

Story-wise, Scream 7 centers once again on Sidney Prescott. After carving out a quieter life for herself, Sidney is pulled back into chaos when a new Ghostface sets their sights on her and her daughter, played by Isabel May.

That personal angle alone gives the sequel a strong emotional hook. Sidney has survived countless attacks, but putting her child in danger raises the stakes in a way that feels intimate and classic Scream.

With Campbell back, Williamson directing, and a promise to steer closer to Craven’s approach, Scream 7 could end up being the course correction longtime fans have been waiting for. The franchise has always evolved with the times, but at its core, it thrives on character, tension, and that sharp edge of self-awareness.

We’ll see how it all plays out when Scream 7 slashes its way into theaters on February 27.