Scream 7 opened this week on Feb. 27. Fans of the movie franchise were thrilled to see a new installment. But the question is, should they be?
In 2023, amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, actress and star of Scream 5 and Scream 6 Melissa Barrera, who played Sam Carpenter, was fired by Spyglass Media Group for posting what the company called “hate speech.” Spyglass said Barrera’s posts “crossed a line.”
Barrera publicly displayed her distaste for the conflict, stating that it was “genocide & ethnic cleansing.”
What Spyglass did not expect was the support Barrera would receive from fans and the backlash directed at the studio. Many fans agreed that Barrera had a point in speaking her truth and voicing support for human rights.
Barrera received support from actor Jamie Kennedy, who played Randy Meeks in Scream and Scream 2. Kennedy said, “She should have never been fired.” Actress Jenna Ortega, who played Barrera’s sister in Scream 5 and Scream 6, did not initially make a statement but left the film due to reported creative differences and controversy. Ortega later revealed her exit was because of Barrera’s firing. Actor Bex Taylor-Klaus, who played Audrey in the Scream television series, also shared their opinion, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
Students and community members have also spoken out. Zain Taj, a political science major and ICC representative for YDSA, criticized the studio’s decision and the direction of the franchise.
“The Scream series is one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time,” Taj said. “It’s disappointing to see it end with what feels like a weak final film. When a studio removes a talented actress for condemning genocide, it shows a lack of principles. That makes it hard to expect meaningful art. Boycott that film.”
So why should you boycott the movie?
In Hollywood, it is common that depending on who provides your work, there may be limits placed on what you say publicly. Silencing actors sends the message that studios do not care about the cause or the person, only about profit.
When fans refuse to watch or boycott a project, the people behind it lose money. Supporters of the boycott argue that this is the point. They say it shows that fans will not stand for what they see as unfair treatment. It shows that they want to support people who speak up about important issues.
Boycotters suggest several actions. They encourage calling local theaters and asking them to remove the movie. They suggest joining groups protesting the film, such as Entertainment Labor for Palestine. Others have shared stickers reading “Boycott Scream 7; Anna Camp is the killer.” Some have even reposted spoilers on social media as part of their protest.
In the end, it is your choice whether to boycott the film. But supporters say people should think carefully about their decision. They argue that boycotting a film shows that audiences will not accept silence. It shows support for global issues and for the idea that people should be able to speak up without being reprimanded for their political views.
Story continues below advertisement
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.talonmarks.com ’
