Scream 7 brings back one of the original Ghostface killers as Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) fights to save her daughter from a new reign of terror. But how does Matthew Lillard return in Scream 7?
Scream 7 has divided reviewers and horror fans, and that split is abundantly clear on Rotten Tomatoes, as the sequel has a 34% review score opposite a 70% audience rating. Some of the complaints have been levelled at the film’s Ghostface twist.
When Lillard’s return to the franchise was announced, fans instantly started debating how Stu Macher could have survived after Sidney dropped a TV on his head at the end of the first movie. His death was even referenced in Scream 6 when the same TV was displayed in Richie’s Ghostface shrine.
But it was obvious that the studio wouldn’t announce the beloved actor’s return if his role was intended to be a complete surprise. So, here’s how Matthew Lillard returns in Scream 7. Spoilers ahead, obviously…
How does Matthew Lillard return in Scream 7?
Matthew Lillard returns to Scream 7 as Stu Macher via deepfake AI. Early on in the film, Sidney gets a video call from Ghostface, who is hunting her daughter Tatum (Isabel May). When she answers the call, she’s met with an older version of Stu with scars on his face as he taunts her. Because it’s a video call, there’s an implication that Stu really is alive because he appears to be on the phone.
During one chase scene, Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) runs Ghostface over, and he’s revealed to be Karl Gibbs, a murderer from a nearby psychiatric hospital. While investigating the facility, supervisor Marco (Ethan Embry) tells the duo that Stu was a patient with amnesia at the hospital and went by John Doe as a result.
But in an underwhelming twist, this is all a lie, because Marco is one of the new Ghostfaces in Scream 7. He’s working Sidney’s neighbor, Jessica Bowden (Anna Camp), to attack Sidney in the hope of turning Tatum into a new Final Girl and keep the legacy going.
The pair have been using deepfake technology to recreate some of the original Ghostface killers, which is how Lillard returns. One scene also shows former killers Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) and Mrs. Loomis (Laurie Metcalf).
So there you have it, Stu Macher unofficially returns to haunt Sidney once again through AI, and he seemingly didn’t survive having a TV dropped on his head.
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