Ghostface returns: What the Scream 7 trailer secretly reveals about the next kill list

The official trailer for Scream 7 has just dropped, and Ghostface is back. The film is set to release on February 21, 2026.

The trailer has sparked interest and curiosity as it gives a glimpse of the upcoming film. Although we can ultimately determine the story when it releases next year, till then, fans cannot help but assess the trailer and find clues. Most importantly, the trailer does give away some crucial information about the film.

It is the seventh film of the franchise, and it sees the glorious return of Neve Campbell as Sidney, who is out to safeguard her daughter Tatum and her entire family from the wrath of a Ghostface killer.

The official synopsis goes as follows:

"When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all."

Keep reading to find out the details revealed in the official trailer of Scream 7.

Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers for the upcoming film, Scream 7. Reader's discretion is advised.

What does the trailer of Scream 7 reveal? Speculations and plot leaks, explored

The official trailer of Scream 7 is out, and the return of the Ghostface killer is sparking some curiosity.

As per reports, the OG Ghostface killer from the 1996 film of the franchise, Matthew Lillard's character Stu Macher, is returning in the film. But here's the catch: How can Stu Macher make a comeback when he was already killed off by Sidney in that film?

In its official synopsis, it is mentioned that this story is tied to Sidney's past. So naturally, some pertinent questions are bound to pop into our minds - especially about the identity of the new Ghostface killer. Does this mean that Sidney's actions ('failed' murder of Stu Macher) are coming back to haunt her? Does that also mean Stu was not killed at that time?

It is also noteworthy to notice that, in the trailer, the voice of the Ghostface killer mentions the town of Woodsboro, where Sidney has returned.

"Reminds me of where we grew up."

Guess who else grew up in Woodsboro? Yes, that's right, it is Stu Macher. In fact, at the beginning of the trailer, we see a couple staying at Stu's home, which is now refurbished into a nice Airbnb. There was a robot replica of the killer with a motion detector, until the real killer arrived. This fact is enough to chill someone's blood!

Regarding the return of Stu Macher in Scream 7, this is what the actor Matthew Lillard had mentioned while speaking to US Magazine:

"I had been sort of tongue-in-cheek pushing the fact that Stu’s still alive, he went to prison. Like, I’ll go get superhero jacked like [I’ve] been in prison for the last 20 years. And, you know, the Radio Silence [Productions] guys left a lot of breadcrumbs in the movies that Stu was still out there.”

Lillard's statement solidifies the return of the killer even more. Also, there are reports of the usage of AI technology in the upcoming film. In the trailer, too, we see Ghostface calling Sidney on her phone. So it is also speculated that the killer might be using the identity of Stu with the help of AI deepfakes.

Along with Stu, this film shall also witness the return of Dewey Riley (played by David Arquette), who was murdered in the 2022 film. In fact, as per Slash Films, Roman Bridger (played by Scott Foley), who was killed by Dewey in Scream 3, is also going to make a return in this film as well. Hence, many characters who were established as dead in the previous films shall return in Scream 7. Now, how it all materializes is something we have to watch out for.

As reported by The Direct, fans are guessing about the possibility of Leslie Macher, the sister of Stu, returning to avenge her brother's death as Ghostface. People are assuming Sidney's neighbor, portrayed by Anna Camp, could be Leslie. Also, as per the outlet, in the Patreon account of Daniel Richtman, it was revealed in the form of a theory that there could be more than two killers donning the Ghostface identity in Scream 7.

In fact, there have been some plot leaks of Scream 7 as well. As reported by International Business Times, a user on X named @bucky_leak has revealed some interesting spoilers of the film. Here in this spoiler, it is mentioned that Stu, who is now aged, has been in an asylum all this time. It also mentions the AI deepfake of Stu that the killer uses.

There is also a brief, tense moment shared between Sidney and Stu at a coffee shop, where they meet through eye contact. And in the end, as Gale confronts the Ghostface killer, he is killed, and Gale (Courtney Cox's character) comes under suspicion.

About Sidney's return in Scream 7, here is what Guy Busick, the co-writer of the film, mentioned while speaking to ComicBook:

“I don’t want to give anything away about the reason [Scream 7] had to be a Sidney movie because there’s a really cool reason. In all these movies, you have to ask, ‘Why now? What is the thing Scream is commenting on now?’ Scream is always in a conversation with the audience about the state of movies, the state of horror movies and in particular, franchises.”

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