'Scream 7' sets franchise box-office record amid low critic score and political backlash

The film came under fire after the dismissal of Melissa Barrera and the subsequent departure of Jenna Ortega

Scream 7 has received largely negative reviews from critics while delivering one of the strongest box-office openings in the franchise’s history.

The film opened with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 34% and a Metacritic rating of 36. Despite that reception, the film is projected to approach or surpass $50 million in its opening weekend, potentially exceeding the $44 million debut set by Scream VI. Some estimates place the figure as high as $59 million.

Much of the critical commentary references the dismissal of Melissa Barrera and the subsequent departure of Jenna Ortega, both central figures in the previous two films. Barrera was removed following remarks about Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. while Ortega exited in protest. Several reviews have cited the controversy as a factor surrounding the production.

The divergence between critics and audiences has prompted discussion about the influence of politics on film criticism. Observers note comparable gaps in other recent releases, including the biopic of US First Lady Melania, which received an 11% critic score from 53 reviews compared with a 98% audience rating from more than 1,000 users.

Commentators have also suggested that Scream 7 has been subject to “review bombing”, a practice in which ratings are influenced by factors beyond the content itself. While typically associated with online user campaigns, critics argue that professional reviewers are expected to evaluate films independently of political considerations.