Summary
In 2022, a fun and intelligent new horror franchise was introduced withthe release of Parker Finn’s debutSmile. That same year,horrorfans were treated toScream (2022), the fifth movie in the beloved slasher franchise. BothSmileandScream (2022)were some ofthe most entertaining 2022 horror moviesand have a lot in common, including talented stars, creative filmmakers, and a passionate fanbase ready to see what’s going to happen next. Now thatSmile 2is coming out soon, it’s clear that the creepy grins ofSmilecould continue for a long time.
WhileScream 7hasn’t started filming yet and fans don’t know much about the plot, fans have been talking about how Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) will come back to the scary, funny story for months.Scream 7should look toSmilefor inspiration when it comes to Sidney’s character arc and the main plot.
How Should Scream 7 Be Like Smile?
Scream 7should take one big cue fromSmile:featuring an isolated main character who is motivated to investigate. Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) feels truly alone while seeing weird, scary grins everywhere and wondering how she can escape them. WhileSidney Prescott’s family will be a big part of the movie, Sidney needs to spend some time away from her husband and kids. If she is on her own for at least some of the movie, Ghostface will feel more powerful and scary. Sidney will also likely be motivated by her love for her family. But she can’t have a lot of people around her all the time. Sidney’s strong status as a final girl makes it necessary for her to face Ghostface by herself, at least in one scene.
Scream 7can also be likeSmilebycrafting a bigger story that hangs in the background. For some, this might meanthe appearance of a cult of Ghostface. For others, there needs to be an explanation as to why there is another Ghostface after all these years.Smileworks so well because of the dangerous curse at the heart of the story. WhileScream 7still needs to feel like aScreammovie with funny moments, side characters, and a fun opening sequence, there should be the sense that something huge is going on.
Scream 7should also followSmile’stone:a story grounded in reality despite the supernatural elements.Screamdoesn’t havea terrifying grinning demon likeSmileor any other paranormal parts. However, the upcoming horror sequel can still take a page from Parker Finn’s movie’s book and ensure it feels realistic. Even when Rose sees strangers grinning at her in ways that are definitely not normal, this feels like something that really could happen.
One of the biggest questions aboutScream 7ishow Ghostface can still target Sidney after so many years. WhetherGhostface is Sidney’s childorthe killer is a fan-favorite character, Ghostface’s motive has to be rational without any plot holes or loose ends.Scream 7also has to paint a logical enough picture of Sidney’s new life that audiences understand why she is being pulled back into this mystery again.
Inside The Success Of The Scream And Smile Franchises
BothScreamandSmilehave large fanbases, respect from film critics, and successful box office runs. According toBox Office Mojo,Scream 6’s worldwide box office gross was$168,961,389.Box Office Mojoalso noted thatSmile’s worldwide box office gross was $217,408,513. While of courseScreamis still a hugely popular slasher franchise, the fact thatSmilemade so much money provesthe excitement surrounding the upcoming sequelSmile 2. Both are original horror franchises with well-written characters, smart endings that suggest there is more to come, and many fans who are willing to discuss and dissect every scene and moment.
The fact that there will be aSmilesequel suggests even more movies, and Parker Finn spoke toThecinemen.comabout the possibility fo a second film back in September 2022. Now that horror fans know there will be aSmile 2, it’s hard not to wish for a third and even fourth movie. Finn said:
“I think as a storyteller, a filmmaker and also as a film fan, I like messy endings. I like things that don’t get neatly wrapped up in a bow. I think that was my intention more than anything else was to make something that was very evocative and conversation starting at the end. I think thatSmile’s a really fun world and we’ll have to see.”
