Scream VII - Opening Scene

**FADE IN:**

**BLACK SCREEN**

We hear the familiar **RINGING SOUND** of a phone, escalating in intensity.

**SMASH CUT TO:**

**TITLE CARD: SCREAM**

The title treatment is bold and red, accompanied by a chilling, sharp sound effect.

**FADE TO:**

**EXT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - NIGHT**

A large, modern yet isolated house sits quietly amidst dense woods. The only light comes from within the house, casting an eerie glow on the surrounding trees. The camera slowly approaches the house, drawing us into its quiet, serene atmosphere. The sound of rustling leaves and distant animal calls add to the sense of isolation.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT**

The kitchen is sleek and modern, filled with top-of-the-line appliances. A TEENAGE GIRL, about 17, stands at the counter, preparing a bowl of popcorn. Her name is EMMA. She's on her phone, texting and laughing at something on the screen.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

Emma walks into the living room with her popcorn. The TV is on, playing an episode of *The Twilight Zone*. She sits on the couch, tucks her feet underneath her, and starts watching. The flickering black-and-white images create eerie shadows on the walls.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

The phone rings, startling Emma.

**EMMA:**

(sighs)

Hello?

**VOICE:**

(cheerful, breaking up)

How’s it going there?

**EMMA:**

Fine, Dad. I’m just doing my homework and watching some stupid movie.

**VOICE:**

(breaking up)

Oh, what movie?

**EMMA:**

Some black and white Twilight nonsense.

We can't hear the conversation on the other end.

**EMMA:**

I’m fine, Dad. You and Mom don’t get out enough, so please enjoy yourselves.

Emma hangs up and falls asleep shortly after.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

The landline rings, waking her up. The movie is clearly almost over. She’s half asleep and picks up her phone, thinking it's a text notification, but the landline continues to ring. Confused, she gets up to answer it. The audience sees the call is blocked, but Emma doesn’t look at the caller ID.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - FOYER - NIGHT**

Emma picks up the landline, curious.

**EMMA:**

Hello?

**VOICE:**

(mimicking Twilight Zone music)

Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo.

Emma laughs, thinking it's a prank call.

**EMMA:**

Very funny, Dad. I’ll see you guys soon.

Emma hangs up.

The phone rings again. She picks up.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

(cheerful)

Hi, Emma. You really should check the caller ID. Haven’t you seen these movies?

**EMMA:**

Movies? What movies?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

(taunting)

Oh Emma! I’m surprised at you. What movies? What's your favorite scary movie?

**EMMA:**

Who is this?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You tell me.

Emma frowns, a hint of unease creeping in.

**EMMA:**

Look, I don't have time to play detective.

Emma gets out her cell phone and texts: **DAD: When are you guys going to be home? Someone keeps calling here.**

**VOICE (V.O.):**

(laughing)

You really should stop texting whoever that is. Your life depends on it.

Emma's face goes pale. She hangs up and locks the front door, glancing nervously around the house. She returns to the living room, trying to shake off the fear. The sound of the wind howling outside adds to the eerie atmosphere.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

The phone rings again. Emma hesitates but answers.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You think locking the door is going to keep me out? I’ve been watching you and waiting for this moment.

Emma's breathing quickens. Shadows flicker on the walls as she moves through the house, creating an unsettling environment.

**EMMA:**

Who are you? What do you want?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

I want to know what your favorite scary movie is.

**EMMA:**

I don't watch horror movies. Not real horror movies, anyway. I'm not allowed to.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Not allowed? That's interesting. What do you watch then?

**EMMA:**

I was watching The Twilight Zone.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

*The Twilight Zone*? That's not horror, Emma. That's child's play. Your parents really kept you in the dark, didn't they?

Emma hangs up, unnerved. She moves through the house, ensuring all the doors and windows are locked. The creaking of the floorboards adds to her growing fear.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

The phone rings again. Emma answers, trembling.

**EMMA:**

What do you want? Why are you calling me?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Because it's fun, Emma. Haven't you heard? Horror is back in style. And you, you're the star of the opening scene.

**EMMA:**

This isn't funny. Stop it!

Emma hides in a nearby closet. The darkness and confined space heighten her sense of dread.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You think you can hide? If you watched these movies, you’d know I'm already in the house.

Emma drops the phone to her side, her heart racing. She hears a noise from the kitchen. She grabs a nearby lamp for protection and cautiously moves toward the sound.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT**

Emma peeks into the kitchen. Nothing. She breathes a sigh of relief. Suddenly, the back door swings open, and the GHOSTFACE KILLER lunges at her, rolling forward but missing her. Emma screams and runs out the back door into the dark.

**EXT. WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE - NIGHT**

Emma runs frantically through the large backyard, glancing back to see Ghostface chasing her in the distance. Her phone rings again. She answers while running, panting heavily.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Running won't save you, Emma. It didn’t save any of them. It just prolonged what was coming.

Emma trips over something, falls, and quickly scrambles back to her feet, darting toward a basement door behind the house. She reaches the back door and tries to close it, but Ghostface is hot on her trail. She manages to slam it shut and lock it, just in time.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - BASEMENT - NIGHT**

Emma rushes down into the basement, slamming the door shut and locking it behind her. She descends into the dark, musty space, trembling and sobbing. The phone rings again. She answers, her voice shaking.

**EMMA:**

Leave me alone!

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Where are your parents, Emma? Out for a little date night? They're going to be very upset when they find you hanging like Casey.

**EMMA:**

Who? I think you have the wrong house. Please go away.

Emma's eyes widen in terror. She looks around the basement for anything to defend herself. She finds a heavy wrench and grips it tightly. The phone rings again.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

(laughing menacingly)

**EMMA:**

Why are you doing this?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Because it's fun, Emma. Haven't you heard? Horror is back in style. And you, you're the star of the opening scene.

Emma hears footsteps above her. Ghostface is searching the house. She holds her breath, listening intently. The footsteps get louder, closer. Emma's cell phone rings in her pocket, echoing in the silent basement.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You can't hide forever, Emma. Where's your scream?

Emma drops the cordless phone.

Suddenly, the inside basement door bursts open. Emma scrambles to her feet, wielding the wrench. Ghostface descends the stairs slowly, taunting her.

**GHOSTFACE:**

You think you can fight me off? You're not Sidney Prescott.

Emma swings the wrench, but Ghostface dodges effortlessly. They struggle, Emma hitting and kicking desperately. Ghostface slashes at her, grazing her arm. Emma screams in pain and bolts for the basement window.

**EXT. WOODS BEHIND THE HOUSE - NIGHT**

Emma climbs out of the basement window, but Ghostface grabs her leg. She kicks free, and Ghostface gets stuck in the window frame. Emma gets up and runs back into the house, her breath visible in the chilly December air. She hears Ghostface behind her, struggling to free himself.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - HALLWAY - NIGHT**

Emma runs upstairs, the house now plunged into darkness as the power goes out. She fumbles her way down the hallway, using her phone as a flashlight. She catches glimpses of family photos on the wall, but it's too dark to make out the faces.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT**

Emma enters her parents' bedroom and goes to her father's closet. She rummages through his things and finds a gun, clearly marked as his service weapon. She checks it, hands shaking, and then moves to the doorway,

listening intently.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - NIGHT**

Emma hears Ghostface moving around downstairs. She cautiously steps out of the bedroom, her grip tightening on the gun.

Emma moves quietly down the dark hallway, pointing her phone’s flashlight to see Ghostface a few feet ahead holding up a knife.

Emma pulls the trigger, but the chamber is empty.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Oh, Emma, your mommy and daddy are going to be so mad at me.

Emma sinks to the floor, her back against the wall.

**EXT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - NIGHT**

A car pulls up the long, winding driveway. The headlights pierce the darkness. The car parks, and the doors open. SIDNEY PRESCOTT and MARK KINCAID step out, laughing and chatting.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - FOYER - NIGHT**

Sidney and Mark enter through the front porch, the door is already ajar, immediately sensing something is wrong.

**SIDNEY:**

Emma? Honey?

No response. Sidney sets down the bags and moves towards the living room, Mark close behind.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

They stop dead in their tracks. The room is a mess. Furniture overturned. Sidney's face contorts in horror.

**SIDNEY:**

(whispering)

No... no, no, no!

**MARK:**

(drawing his gun)

We're calling the police. Now.

**SIDNEY:**

(drawing her gun)

We don’t have time for this. Emma???

Sidney’s phone rings. She freezes, recognizing the familiar sound, a chill running down her spine. She answers, her voice shaking.

**SIDNEY:**

Who is this?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Miss me, Sidney?

Sidney's eyes widen in terror.

**SIDNEY:**

Who are you?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You know, this brings back memories. You remember the first time, don’t you? A lonely house, an unsuspecting victim…oh and that surprise twist!

Sidney's grip tightens on the phone.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

But all these sequels. And no stakes. Where are the stakes?

**SIDNEY:**

Leave my family alone!

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You think you know the rules, don't you, Sidney? Two killers, every time...except that last one. But you weren’t even in it, so who cares? I mean, what a joke, three killers from the same family?

Sidney's face contorts with anger and fear.

**SIDNEY:**

What do you want?

**VOICE (V.O.):**

I want you to feel my pain.

**SIDNEY:**

I’ve heard all of this. Revenge isn’t going to make you feel better. And when I get to you and your family, you’ll know real pain.

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Oh, Sid. I’m different. You think you're safe just because you've changed your name?

Sidney's eyes widen…

**VOICE (V.O.):**

You should know, I learned from the best. Roman Bridger, your brother. He was a lone wolf, just like me.

But unlike him, I’ve been watching you for years.

**SIDNEY:**

It’s me you want, asshole. Leave my family alone.

**INT. SUBURBAN HOUSE - BEDROOM**

**VOICE (V.O.):**

Ghostface raises a metal stake.

Sorry, Sid. This movie’s got stakes. Lots and lots of stakes.

**INT. SECLUDED SUBURBAN HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT**

We hear Emma’s fading breath on the phone, but we do not see her.

**FADE OUT.**

**TITLE CARD: SCREAM**

**FADE TO BLACK.**