Scream 7’s Disappointing Stu Macher Return Felt Like A Copout

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Warning! Spoilers ahead for Scream 7.

Originally, Scream 7 planned to feature Matthew Lillard reprising his role as Stu Macher, but his return felt unsatisfying because the film didn’t fully commit to the idea. Following the departures of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, the movie shifted direction to focus on bringing Neve Campbell back as Sidney Prescott, giving her the central role she deserved.

Thirty years ago, the movie Scream famously showed Stu seemingly killed by a falling television. Now, Scream 7 hints that Stu might actually be alive and involved in a new wave of Ghostface killings. Unfortunately, the explanation for how he survived felt underwhelming and didn’t fully deliver on the potential of his return.

As Long As Scream 7 Was Bringing Back Matthew Lillard, It Should’ve Committed To Resurrecting Stu

In Scream 7, Sidney receives a terrifying call from Ghostface that unexpectedly turns into a video chat. To her shock, a heavily scarred Stu appears, claiming he survived and is seeking revenge. However, throughout the movie, we only see Stu through the video call, and his strange behavior raises questions about whether he’s truly who he seems to be.

The reveal of the Ghostface killers in Scream 7 felt disappointing. It turned out the Stu seen on FaceTime was a convincing deepfake created by a hospital orderly who’s skilled with artificial intelligence. Ultimately, the explanation didn’t feel satisfying given the build-up.

Even if it seemed far-fetched that Stu could still be alive, if they were already bringing back Lillard, they should have fully committed to it. Having Lillard appear only on a phone screen felt similar to Jeff Goldblum’s brief appearance in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – heavily promoted in trailers, but ultimately limited to a single scene.

Any Other Explanation For Stu’s Return Feels Like A Copout

Once the idea that Stu might still be alive is introduced, any other explanation for his return feels unconvincing. It seems like Scream 7 is trying to avoid fully committing to his return, wanting it both ways. Instead of actually bringing Stu back, the movie features Lillard playing a digital copy of him created by the orderly.

The way Scream 7 used Matthew Lillard’s character was disappointing. If the movie had brought Stu back to life, Lillard and Neve Campbell could have filmed scenes together. Instead, he only appeared briefly in a few FaceTime calls. He likely filmed his entire part in under an hour, without even needing to meet the other actors, which was a huge letdown considering all the anticipation.

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2026-03-05 23:39