'Scream 7' Ending Explained: Does 'Ghostface' Finally Get To 'Sidney', What's Next In The Franchise?

Scream 7 is back, and fans have been on the edge of their seats. The film brings back 'Sidney Prescott' as she aims to lock horns with 'Ghostface' once again. However, is this the last time we see her on screen? Well, here's everything you need to know. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Who is the victim of 'Ghostface' in Scream 7?

Scream 7 begins with 'Ghostface' burning down the old Woodsboro house of 'Stu Macher'. However, the actual story unfolds in Pine Grove, Indiana, where we see 'Sidney Prescott' living with her husband and police chief, 'Mark' and their beloved teenage daughter, 'Tatum'. As the new 'Ghostface' targets 'Tatum's' friend group, killing her friends, 'Hannah' and another teen, 'Gale Weathers', 'Mindy Meeks-Martin' and 'Chad Meeks-Martin' run away, eventually hitting one of the 'Ghostfaces' with their car.

The deceased 'Ghostface' is revealed to be 'Karl Gibbs', an escaped mental patient. However, two more 'Ghostfaces' still haunt the town. As suspicion spread among 'Sidney's inner circle, 'Mark' was violently attacked and soon after hospitalised. 'Tatum's' friend, 'Chloe', 'Ben' and 'Luca' are murdered and 'Sidney' lands herself in trouble when she is captured and psychologically tortured using AI recreations of past 'Ghostface' killers, including 'Stu Macher'.

The killers are eventually unmasked as 'Jessica', 'Sidney's' seemingly friendly neighbour, who is also an abuse survivor and 'Marco', an employee at the local mental institution. 'Jessica' sought inspiration from 'Sidney's' book, Out of Darkness, from Scream 4, to kill her abusive husband. She became obsessed with the idea that 'Sidney' must always confront and destroy evil. However, when she learned that 'Sidney' had stepped away from the spotlight and was not involved in the 2023 New York 'Ghostface' murders, she felt betrayed.

This leads 'Jessica' to team up with 'Marco' to restart the cycle of violence. She plans to kill 'Sidney' and then mould 'Tatum' into 'Sidney 2.0'. However, things take a turn when 'Sidney' and 'Tatum' fight back and kill 'Jessica' and 'Marco'. On the other hand, 'Mark' survives and is taken to the hospital. While 'Sidney' and 'Gale' reaffirm their bond, 'Chad' and 'Mindy' prepare to report the story, and mother and daughter grow closer.

Scream 7 shows how deep 'Sidney's' ties with the franchise are

The first four Scream films were directed by Wes Craven and functioned as meta-commentaries on horror cinema, especially slasher films. However, in 2022, revival and Scream VI shifted that lens toward toxic fandom and generational trauma, centring on new protagonists like 'Sam' and 'Tara Carpenter'. While Scream 7 continues on this fandom theme, it narrows its focus. 'Jessica' and 'Marco' are the obsessive fans, but not of the Stab films, but of 'Sidney' herself.

Their rage seems to stem from 'Sidney's' attempt to live a normal life. While on a meta level, these parallels Neve's absence from Scream VI due to contract disputes. The film even has 'Sidney' apologise to 'Gale' for not being in New York when she was "needed", which reads like commentary on Neve's hiatus. The film further suggests that the franchise without 'Sidney' is not entirely complete. However, by tying the series so tightly to 'Sidney', Scream 7 risks diminishing the legitimacy of its recent successors.

Will 'Sidney' pass the baton to someone else?

The franchise attempted to give 'Sidney' closure before, especially in Scream 3. However, each time, she is pulled back into violence. Scream 7, on the other hand, seems to flirt with the idea that perhaps she can never escape the horrors of 'Ghostface'. 'Tatum' is positioned as a potential successor, proving just how brave and resourceful she is by fighting alongside her mother in the climax. On paper, she could inherit the mantle of final girl.

However, the film hesitates to frame her explicitly as the "next Sidney." That idea is complicated by Scream 4, in which the killer's desire to replace 'Sidney' is portrayed as morally corrupt and narcissistic. On the other hand, the arc of 'Sam' and 'Tara' remains unresolved and lingers in the background amid behind-the-scenes changes, including the exits of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. The film avoids ending their stories, leaving room for their return. 

Can Scream exist without 'Sidney'?

While many want to see what's next for the film franchise, a lingering question is whether it can survive without 'Sidney' and, if so, whether it should. Neve has been a part of the film franchise for over 30 years, making her extremely special to the fans. At the same time, it critiques nostalgia and warns against endlessly resurrecting the past, especially with the AI scene. The movie feels like a farewell to 'Sidney' but leaves room for her return. It feels like Scream 3 that seemed like a definitive chapter that ultimately wasn't the end. If the pattern continues, a potential Scream 8 could serve as the basis for a next-generation sequel akin to Scream 4.

However, at this point, the franchise stands at a crossroads: while 'Sidney' is alive, her presence is not the core. She could transition into a mentor or legacy figure, allowing characters like 'Tatum' or even 'Sam' if she returns to lead. Alternatively, the series may continue centring on 'Sidney' indefinitely. Nonetheless, for now, the answers are in maybes, 'Sidney' is alive, and we overcame not one but three 'Ghostfaces'.

What are your thoughts on Scream 7? Let us know.

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