MckennaGrace – Credits Rolling

In the latest instalment of the Scream franchise, Sidney Prescott-Evans (Neve Campbell) has built a new life with her husband Mark (Joel McHale) and daughter Tatum (Isabel May). While it has been some time since her last Ghostface encounter, Sidney knows that she is never truly out of the woods. Before long, a new killer makes themselves known and this time he’s targeting Tatum. Sidney must once again face her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.

After a lot of behind the scenes shake ups, Kevin Williamson is not only back in the writing seat, he is also in the director’s seat for the first time. Many people thought that this, combined with Campbell’s triumphant return as everyone’s favorite Final Girl, would be enough for fans to tune back in after the departure of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega’s Sam and Tara who helmed the last two films. Having Sidney back front and centre was surely a treat though I cannot say that I didn’t miss Barrera or Ortega as I thought they fit in well. The film itself wasn’t the strongest of the franchise, but I still had a good enough time with it.

It really did seem as though Sidney had never left. Campbell fit back into Sidney’s trauma effortlessly and this time the stakes were raised even higher because of who Ghostface is now targeting. Seeing Sidney as a mother and watching her complicated relationship with Tatum unfold was interesting. May did a formidable job; it was like she was always meant to be there. I also liked the dynamic between Sidney and Mark; domestic Sidney was someone I never knew I needed. Courteney Cox resumed her role as Gale Weathers. Her entrance was absolutely iconic, as if we could expect anything less, though I didn’t think she was featured as much as she should have been. The same can be said about Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding who portray Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin. I appreciated that they were a tie in from the previous two films, but they were severely underused.

Unfortunately not many of the new characters worked. Tatum’s friends Hannah (Mckenna Grace), Lucas (Asa Germann), Chloe (Celeste O’Connor) and Ben (Sam Rechner) seemed like caricatures rather than fully fleshed out human beings. Each started with so much promise though the audience never gets to really know them. The addition of Anna Camp was a good one though she had maybe about ten minutes screen time which was a disappointment. At least we had the so-called legacy cast to fall back on: Matthew Lillard, David Arquette and Scott Foley are all back in some shape or form and I enjoyed seeing them again.

It wouldn’t be a proper Scream film without some blood, gore and good old jump scares. This one had many! The opening sequence was very well done and I particularly enjoyed the scene that took place in the bar too. However, I do think that while there was a high body count that there were still a few moments where nothing of importance happened. I’m used to these films being fast paced and never a dull moment. Also, I’ll admit that while I did not see the final reveal coming, I did think that it left a lot to be desired.

Overall Scream 7 is worth checking out for Neve Campbell’s return alone. That being said, whether or not this instalment was truly necessary remains to be seen. Part of what makes these films so enjoyable is how self aware they are. I love how they don’t mind poking fun at themselves, but I can’t help wondering how many times the same formula will continue to work before it gets played out.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️

Morgan Grant (Allison Williams) got pregnant just out of high school. She married her boyfriend Chris (Scott Eastwood) and together they raised their daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace). When Chris is in a fatal accident with Morgan’s sister and Clara’s aunt Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald), an unbelievable betrayal comes to light. Morgan is now forced to pick up the pieces, but she isn’t alone – best friend and Jenny’s baby daddy Jonah (Dave Franco) is in the same boat.

Based on the best selling novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, this is the second title to be adapted for the screen. After all the background drama surrounding It Ends With Us, I was skeptical to give this one a go. That being said, I did read the book a few years back and remember enjoying it. I also had the chance to watch this at an advanced screening so how could I say no?

There are quite a few characters and I thought that the casting choices were spot on. Williams was a shoe in for Morgan; she had the cautious and overprotective parent act down pat. Morgan’s relationship with Clara was an interesting one filled with many ups and downs. Williams and Grace worked well off each other and I bought them as mother/daughter. I still can’t get over the fact that Grace is nineteen now. I remember her starring as literally every single little girl character in every movie or tv show out there not too long ago! Franco had the whole quiet and slightly nerdy type down to a tee. His character was not the typical leading man, though as the film progressed, it became clear that that is exactly who he was. While Eastwood and Fitzgerald aren’t featured as much, the scenes that they were in helped to set up the dynamic between the friend group which I appreciated as there is a lot of important backstory.

Although there are some dramatic themes throughout the film, there are some sweet romances too. Clara falls for Miller Adams (Mason Thames), the most popular boy in school. He becomes a pillar of support for her after the death of her father and aunt. I thought they did a great job depicting their relationship. It really encapsulated that first love feeling. I also loved the will they won’t they for Morgan and Jonah. He’s had feelings for her for forever and somehow ended up with her sister instead. How it all develops between them had me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, Regretting You exceeded my expectations. It had everything you could want from a romantic dramady. Complete with swoon worthy moments and some devastating ones, what it all came down to was the importance of family. As far as I recall, it was also true to the book which always gets extra points from me.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️