Slightly Terrified

by

Summary

  • Stu Macher is an iconic horror villain who set the standard for Ghostface.
  • Bringing Stu back in Scream 7 may be risky due to storyline and motive challenges.
  • Fans expect a unique killer motivation in Scream 7 to avoid repeating past Ghostface motives.

In terms of horror movie villains, Stu Macher (portrayed by Matthew Lillard) stands out uniquely. He sprinkles jokes throughout the film, yet despite his evident violence, he surprises viewers by displaying fear during his climactic encounter with final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) at the end of 1996’s Scream. Stu paved the way for all subsequent Ghostfaces and there’s no question that he ranks among the greatest.

Fans eagerly anticipate that Scream 7, with Lillard reprising his role as Stu Macher, will push creative boundaries. However, given Stu appears to have perished in the 1996 movie, it remains uncertain how he can truly return. Nevertheless, one plot device might not align well.

Scream 7 Shouldn’t Use This Stu Macher Storyline Or It Could Be Disappointing

As reported by PEOPLE, Matthew Lillard participated in a panel alongside fellow Scream cast members during the 90s Con in late March 2025. During this event, he shared his thoughts on various topics.

I won’t disclose my feelings explicitly, but let me tell you, I’m both thrilled and anxious to return. The weight of potentially damaging a cherished legacy we’ve built is not lost on me.

He continued:

I’m worried about failing, as that’s my greatest concern. My worry is that I might return and, in some way, mess things up without even realizing it, causing harm to something I could have easily left alone. I really hope I don’t let everyone down.

Fans are thrilled about Lillard reprising his role as Stu Macher in Scream 7, and the enigma surrounding him has sparked excitement. However, it would be disappointing if Stu were unmasked as one of the Ghostface killers. Firstly, since Sidney Prescott killed Stu with a TV set, it’s illogical for him to still be alive today. But there’s an even stronger reason: Stu lacks a distinctive or compelling enough motive to continue donning the Ghostface mask. It would also strain credulity to imagine Stu has been stalking Sidney all this time.

In each Scream film, the opening scene and the climactic unmasking of the killer are essential elements that should captivate viewers and leave a lasting impact. For the upcoming Scream 7, fans anticipate a fresh reason behind the new Ghostface character(s) that hasn’t been seen before in the series featuring the iconic black-and-white mask. Fans found the motives of the Ghostfaces in the 2022 movie to be repetitive as they were driven by fame, which was also the motivation for Jill Roberts in Scream 4. Previous killers like Billy Loomis sought revenge on Sidney, and if Stu were the Ghostface in Scream 7, he too would seek vengeance. However, these motivations are not exciting enough to satisfy fans’ expectations.

Re-introducing any long-absent character can be quite complex, especially when characters like Stu and Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) have been deceased for some time. However, the anticipation among fans for Stu’s comeback is immense, so it needs to be flawless. It could prove most suitable to reveal a video message Stu had recorded for Sidney. Perhaps Stu and Billy had an unfinished plan, and Sidney discovers more about them through this video. Given that she now has a teenage daughter, it would be plausible for Sidney to reminisce about her high school years and contemplate fighting against Stu and Billy once more.

What Other Horror Movies Has Matthew Lillard Starred In?

Matthew Lillard isn’t just starring as Stu Macher in Scream 7, he also has an impressive resume of horror roles. For instance, he played Steve Raglan in Five Nights at Freddy’s, a film that might not be as well-known but is definitely worth watching. Additionally, he portrayed Joel Brandt, a screenwriter turned teacher, in the 2008 horror movie Messages Deleted, and Dennis Rakfin, a psychic, in the 2001 film Thirteen Ghosts. Both of these films are lesser-known gems from the 2000s, but it’s always exciting to see Lillard’s talent on screen.

The role that Lillard plays in Five Nights at Freddy’s is just as thrilling and unpredictable as his part in Scream, and fans are overjoyed to know he’ll be reprising it for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. In an interview with IGN, Lillard discussed the ending of the 2023 horror movie and drew parallels to the climactic scene featuring Stu and Billy Loomis from the original Scream in 1996. He remarked:

This is the first real chance I’ve had to act over-the-top like I did in Scream – although it wasn’t my very first time, you get me. But let me tell you, the intensity and energy towards the end are strikingly similar, if not identical. Isn’t that just wild?

In addition, Lillard noted that his character in the particular scene had an extraordinarily high amount of vitality. Although viewers are questioning if the actor will reappear in Scream 7, there’s little doubt that Lillard will deliver a remarkable performance once more.

Read More

2025-04-01 17:54