‘Scream 7’ Should Dive Into This Ghostface Killer's Backstory for a Fresh Twist

‘Scream 7’ is set to shift its focus back to Sidney Prescott, especially after the abrupt end of the Carpenter sisters' storyline due to Melissa Barrera's departure and Jenna Ortega's scheduling conflicts. This new instalment presents an opportunity to delve into the backstory of Roman Bridger, the Ghostface killer from ‘Scream 3’ who was revealed to be Sidney's half-brother. Roman played a crucial role in instigating the Ghostface murders by manipulating Billy Loomis into killing Sidney’s mother, Maureen Prescott, setting off a series of events that led to the infamous Ghostface killing spree.

‘Scream 6’ briefly touched on Roman's influence, with Kirby Reed mentioning his solo killing spree. This sets the stage for ' Scream 7’ to explore Roman Bridger’s origins in more depth. Maureen’s murder was the catalyst for the original Ghostface killings in Woodsboro, perpetrated by Billy and Stu Macher. However, it was Roman who initially provoked this tragedy by revealing the affair between his father and Maureen to Billy.

Image Courtesy: People

Roman Bridger stands out as the closest thing to a mastermind in the ‘Scream’ series. His actions indirectly influenced every subsequent Ghostface spree. Had he not incited Billy, Sidney Prescott and her friends might not have become targets, and the cycle of revenge and violence might have never begun. Roman’s manipulation of Billy also led to the creation of the "Stab" movie franchise, which inspired further violence in ‘Scream’ (2022) and its sequels.

In ‘Scream 7’ the Prescott family, including Sidney’s husband and daughters, might face new threats. The film could explore Roman’s backstory further, revealing whether he was involved in Maureen’s murder or if he simply inspired Billy and Stu. There’s also a possibility that Roman was not Sidney’s brother, which could be a controversial retcon. Regardless, Roman’s complex legacy and impact on the franchise warrant a deeper examination in the upcoming sequel.

–Farheen Ali