A new terror is descending on Woodsboro. The official trailer forScream 7has arrived, revealing a chilling scenario: Sidney Prescott, the woman who defined a generation’s fear of masked killers, now faces the horrifying prospect of her own daughter becoming the next target.
But the trailer’s release has ignited a firestorm of controversy, resurrecting a painful chapter in the franchise’s history. Fans are once again voicing calls for a boycott, a direct response to the 2023 dismissal of Melissa Barrera, a key star, following her social media posts regarding the conflict in Gaza.
Barrera’s posts, which included a statement referring to Israel’s actions as “genocide and ethnic cleansing,” were deemed antisemitic by the film’s creators. The decision to remove her from the project sparked immediate outrage and accusations of censorship, dividing the fanbase and casting a long shadow over the upcoming film.
The absence of Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter in the previous two installments, is keenly felt.Scream 7shifts focus, centering the narrative on Sidney Prescott’s return – alongside her daughter, Tatum, portrayed by Isabel May – as they are relentlessly stalked by a new Ghostface. The trailer hints at a deeply personal and terrifying ordeal for both women.
The trailer itself is a masterclass in suspense. A seemingly ordinary phone call for Sidney quickly spirals into dread as Ghostface’s voice cuts through the silence: “Hello, Sidney. Did you miss me?” He taunts her with unsettling familiarity, referencing their shared past and the eerie parallels between Woodsboro and his own upbringing.
This isn’t a random attack; it’s a calculated game. Ghostface isn’t hiding, he declares, setting the stage for a relentless cat-and-mouse chase where survival hinges on every decision. The trailer promises a level of suspense that aims to eclipse previous installments.
However, for many, the promise of thrills isn’t enough. Social media is ablaze with demands for Barrera and Jenna Ortega – who also departed the project – to be reinstated. Fans are threatening to boycott the film, choosing to stand in solidarity with Barrera and protest what they perceive as an unjust dismissal.
“Can’t wait to bootleg it after what yall did to Melissa Barrera!” one user declared, echoing a sentiment shared by countless others. Another wrote, “People have not forgotten they fired Melissa Barrera for being a decent human being… easiest boycott ever.” The hashtag #BoycottScream7 is gaining traction, fueled by passionate supporters.
Barrera herself has spoken out, defending her right to express her views and advocate for peace. She described the aftermath of her firing as a devastating period, a “darkest and hardest year” that left her questioning her future. She felt pressured to accept any role offered, fearing her career was over.
Ortega, initially citing scheduling conflicts with the hit seriesWednesday, later clarified that her departure stemmed from creative differences and the loss of the directorial team she had grown to trust. The unraveling of the core creative group ultimately led her to conclude that continuing with the project wasn’t the right path.
The production company, Spyglass, stood firm in its decision, issuing a statement emphasizing “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate.” This stance, however, has done little to quell the outrage, with many arguing that Barrera’s words were taken out of context and unfairly punished.
As the release date of February 27, 2026, approaches,Scream 7finds itself at a crossroads. It’s a film burdened by controversy, a testament to the power of social media and the complex intersection of entertainment and political expression. Whether it can overcome the boycott and deliver on its promise of terror remains to be seen.
