“Scream” is easily my favorite horror franchise. It might be my favorite movie franchise overall, but especially in terms of horror. That’s why it really hurts me to say that “Scream 7” isn’t up to snuff.

It’s not hard to see why this installment falls short, given its troubled production history. The latter half of 2023 saw the departures of both co-directors and both lead actresses from both of the last two installments that had reinvigorated the franchise for the 2020’s. Rather than cancel the project outright, the studio forged ahead with a retooled movie with original star Neve Campbell and original screenwriter Kevin Williamson as director. In theory, this could work, especially with the always-welcome Campbell as the lead, but this film never quite shakes off the passionless stench of someone having to deliver a film to meet an obligation despite the absence of first-choice talent.

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The film, as expected, opens with a violent pre-title sequence. A young couple (Jimmy Tatro and Michelle Randolph) check into the old house of original co-killer Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), now a rental property for fans of murder scenes. Spooky surprises are hidden throughout the house, including a robot wearing the iconic Ghostface costume. Eventually a non-robot Ghostface shows up, ready for some slashing. It’s not a lock that the couple will be killed like so many pre-title sequence characters before them, but… I didn’t see them bucking the trend.

We soon rejoin Sidney Prescott (Campbell) trying to live a life out of media spotlight, despite having found herself as a player in five killing sprees in her lifetime. She’s married to the local chief of police (Joel McHale) and has three children, two of whom are away visiting their grandparents. Her teenage daughter Tatum (Isabel May) wants to know some of the juicy details of her past, which she refuses to divulge, but otherwise clashes with her, disobeys her, and wants nothing to do with her, in typical teenage fashion.

One day, Sidney gets a call from someone using the familiar Roger L. Jackson filter. It’s the new killer. But instead of terrorizing Sidney in the Ghostface garb, this killer directs Sidney to a screen, where she’s taunted by none other than Stu Macher (played by Lillard at his current age), who died in the first movie… or so she thinks. Did he somehow survive? Is this an A.I. prank? Either way, “Stu” makes it clear that Sidney and her family are targets for revenge.

Potential suspects/victims line up. Sidney works at a coffee shop frequented by her neighbor Jessica (Anna Camp) and her slasher-obsessed son Luke (Asa Germann), as well as creepy wildcard Karl (Kraig Dane). Tatum’s circle of friends includes boyfriend Ben (Sam Rechner), and besties Hannah (Mckenna Grace) and Chloe (Celeste O’Connor). Shady characters on the periphery include rude drama teacher Mr. Willis (Tim Simons), mental hospital orderly Marco (Ethan Embry), and fame-hungry reporter Robbie Rivers (Mark Consuelos).

Those are the new faces. But because the movie has to use nostalgia as a crutch, it’s not long before longtime ally Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) shows up, flanked by returning characters Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy-Brown), from the fifth and sixth movies, now working as the reporter’s assistants. And as forced as those returns feel, they’re no match for Stu and a gaggle of last-act cameos that serve no purpose other than for the advertising to be able to say that the actors technically appear in the movie.

I found some things to like about “Scream 7.” Campbell hasn’t lost an ounce of Scream Queen credibility, there are some creative kills, and the fight choreographer certainly earned their paycheck. But any scene without Campbell that involves mystery, suspense, emotion, or even the series’ trademark humor is a miss. Save for one, I’m not interested in following any surviving characters to another movie. This movie probably shouldn’t have been made without certain people onboard, and I’ll say that there shouldn’t be another “Scream” movie until they can come back.

Grade: C

“Scream 7” is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, and language. Its running time is 114 minutes.

Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.