Actress Melissa Barrera was fired from Scream 7 after a series of social media posts. The film, however, continued without her. In a recent interview with Variety, Barrera accused Paramount of exaggerating Scream 7‘s box office success and openly criticized actors who returned to the franchise.
While some praised her for “fighting back” after her cancelation, others argued that the actress simply came across as bitter.
The Fallout From Barrera’s Social Media Posts
After the events of October 7, 2023, Barrera made daily social media posts criticizing the Israeli government. Her comments prompted significant online backlash. Shortly afterward, Melissa Barrera was fired from Scream 7 and dropped by her talent agency.
A screenshot from the trailer for Scream 7 – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
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Spyglass Media Group issued a statement saying it had “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form.” It also argued that Barrera’s comments had “flagrantly” crossed a line. The statement intensified debate around Barrera. Supporters claimed she was being censored, while critics sided with the studio.
Shortly afterward, co-star Jenna Ortega left Scream 7, citing scheduling conflicts. However, the timing was impossible to ignore. Some fans viewed the move as a sign of solidarity.
Scream 7 Succeeds Without Barrera
With its young stars out of the picture, Spyglass brought back legacy actors like Neve Campbell for Scream 7. The strategy may have paid off. Paramount expected the film to open at $40 million, while analysts projected more than $50 million. Instead, Scream 7 debuted at $64.1 million, the franchise’s biggest opening, unadjusted for inflation.
A screenshot from the trailer for Scream 7 – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
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The film went on to end its theatrical run with global box office take of roughly $329 million. Significantly, Scream 7 also outperformed the Melissa Barrera-led Scream ($137.7 million) and Scream VI ($166.6 million). Despite a 34% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film proved popular with audiences, further highlighting the divide between critical reception and consumer response.
During the interview, the Variety reporter added to the conversation, saying “Let’s be real: the seventh one sucked.” The actress was quick to agree. Notably, on Criticless, the film currently holds a 66% “Decent” audience rating.
Still, Melissa Barrera openly challenged Paramount’s box office reporting. “I think they lied about the numbers. I don’t think it made that much money,” Barrera said. She also noted that fans still ask her to sign Scream merchandise. The comments suggest she does not believe the franchise succeeded without her.
A screenshot from the trailer for Scream 7 – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
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Studios can selectively market statistics and shape headlines around a film’s success. However, box office reporting is independently tracked through systems outside studio control. The numbers come from exhibitors, analytics firms, ticketing systems, and industry reporting services.
Barrera Criticizes Returning Cast—Audience Gets Final Say
Barrera also suggested she felt betrayed by the Scream 7 cast. When asked whether returning actors were “basically crossing the picket line,” the actress did not hesitate. “Oh, one hundred percent,” she said. “I think they all are. And they have to live with that.”
She pushed the criticism further by adding, “The only way they were able to make that movie after what happened was to nostalgia-bait as much as possible.”
A screenshot from the trailer for Scream 7 – YouTube, Paramount Pictures
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Given the audience response, nostalgia appears to have given the Scream franchise a box office boost and suggests that it is stronger without the new cast. While much of Hollywood chose not to stand with Melissa Barrera, audiences made their own position clear by supporting the latest film in large numbers. And Paramount has the receipts to prove it.
What do you think of Melissa Barrera’s take? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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