Scream 7 Doesn't Need A Huge Body Count To Succeed

Highlights

Scream 7 could benefit from a smaller body count to focus on story and characters.
Fans are eager for Scream 7 to prioritize stronger development for legacy characters.
Keeping some Ghostface killers alive in Scream 7 would add depth and serve as a compelling plot point, while also decreasing the body count.

As a seasoned fan of the Scream franchise, I’ve been through the emotional rollercoaster these films have offered over the years. With each new installment, I find myself immersed in the chilling atmosphere and the intricate web of suspense that keeps me guessing until the very end.

In December 2024, the production of “Scream 7” is set to begin, joining a lineup of numerous slasher movies under development. The slasher genre is witnessing a resurgence at present. Contrary to many of these films that often feature high death tolls and intense brutality, “Scream 7” may not adhere to this pattern, potentially making it more impactful by steering clear of such conventions.

In the Scream series, Wes Craven generally avoided large-scale violence and excessive killings in his four films, with Radio Silence continuing this trend in the 2022 movie. However, Scream 6 saw a significant increase in the number of victims. It’s unlikely that Kevin Williamson intends to ramp up the body count in Scream 7, as focusing on the mystery and development of core characters is more important to fans. A smaller body count might even contribute to the success of the upcoming sequel.

Scream 7 Should Focus On Giving Sidney Prescott A Worthy Story Rather Than The Gratuitous Deaths Of Pointless Characters

Scream 7
Starring	Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox (rumored), Patrick Dempsey (rumored)
Written By	Guy Busick
Directed By	Kevin Williamson

In the confirmation for Scream 7, it’s crucial that Neve Campbell’s character Sidney Prescott takes center stage, and she should be supported by fully-fleshed out co-characters. There’s a strong likelihood that Courteney Cox will reprise her role as Gale Weathers, along with Patrick Dempsey playing Sidney’s husband, Mark Kincaid. Yet, no information has been revealed about potential new characters joining the cast. Fans are hoping to avoid the addition of underdeveloped characters solely for the purpose of increasing the Ghostface kill count.

Following the tragic demise of characters Steven Orth and Casey Becker in the 1996 original film, a significant portion focused on character development ensued, making these figures iconic. On the other hand, subsequent sequels emphasized more on the build-up to the climax through numerous kill scenes. Interestingly, Principal Himbry’s (Henry Winkler) death in “Scream” was included later, as the studio felt there was an excessive gap between the initial killings and Tatum Riley’s demise in Scene 118.

In the proposed version, we’re suggesting that by allowing the Ghostface killers to survive in Scream 7, the film could have a lower death toll compared to its predecessors, thereby creating an atmosphere more akin to the original movie. In the Scream series, there have been 14 deaths associated with the Ghostface killer, and usually, two of these are from each movie. However, Scream 6 had a notable five Ghostface killings, if we count Jason Carvey and Greg Bruckner, which led to an unusually high overall death toll in the franchise.

If Scream 7 includes the alleged Cult of Ghostface, it might be wiser to preserve some Ghostface killers for a potential sequel, thus limiting the number of deaths. This would not only make the story more intriguing but also prevent an excessive body count. Additionally, having some new characters survive the Ghostface attacks in Scream 7 would allow for the continuation of the franchise with a fresh group of survivors, much like how Scream (2022) and Scream 6 introduced the Core Four. This approach would be more plot-driven rather than relying on excessive deaths merely for shock value.

As a gamer putting on my horror movie critic hat, let me share some thoughts about Scream 6. It boasts a whopping 13 grisly slaughters, making it the bloodiest in the series so far. However, here’s the catch – most of these deaths were of characters we weren’t particularly invested in. Two unfortunate souls met their end off-screen, and surprisingly, all the familiar faces managed to make it through unscathed.

In the original Scream film, just seven characters met their untimely end. Each of these deaths resonated deeply with viewers, even those who loathed the villainous duo of Ghostface killers, Billy and Stu. If fan demand results in Stu’s return for Scream 7, it would mean that the initial movie had only six actual deaths, a relatively low number compared to typical slasher films.

The Body Count In Each Scream Movie

Scream

Steven Orth
Casey Becker
Principal Himbry
Tatum Riley
Kenny Brown
Stu Macher
Billy Loomis

Body Count: 7

Scream 2

Phil Stevens
Maureen Evans
Cici Cooper
Randy Meeks
Officer Andrews
Officer Richards
Hallie
Derek Feldman
Mrs Loomis
Mickey Altieri

Body Count: 10

Scream 3

Christine Hamilton
Cotton Weary
Sarah Darling
Steven Stone
Tom Prinze
Angelina Tyler
Tyson Fox
Jennifer Jolie
John Milton
Roman Bridger

Body Count: 10

Scream 4

Marnie Cooper
Jenny Randall
Olivia Morris
Rebecca Walters
Officer Hoss
Officer Perkins
Kate Roberts
Robbie Mercer
Trevor Sheldon
Charlie Walker
Jill Roberts

Body Count: 11

Scream (2022)

Vince Schneider
Sheriff Judy Hicks
Wes Hicks
Deputy Clay
Dewey Riley
Liv McKenzie
Richie Kirsch
Amber Freeman

Body Count: 8

Scream 6

Laura Crane
Greg Bruckner
Jason Carvey
Bodega Customer #1
Bodega Customer #2
Bodega Clerk
Dr Christopher Stone
Paul 2.0
Anika Kayoko
Brooks
Quinn Bailey
Detective Wayne Bailey
Ethan Landry

Body Count: 13

2024-08-05 03:05

Scream 7 Doesn’t Need A Huge Body Count To Succeed