Scream 7 (2026) is on the way, meaning a new Ghostface is fast approaching. While the Scream films differentiated themselves in the horror genre through their self-awareness and satirical take on horror tropes, they are still very much slasher films. In fact, they feel like some of the more realistic slasher movies, with no supernatural or superhuman elements here. The killer is always very much human, motivated by aspects like vengeance and jealousy.
Meanwhile, the Scream movies always have a thrilling element of mystery and anxiety, as you never know who is behind the Ghostface mask. Often, the mystery's fun extends beyond the movie, leading to speculation and fan theories ahead of the release. The fan theories for Scream 7’s Ghostface are already going strong, ranging from Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard) to Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox). One particularly intriguing theory, though, is that the Ghostface in Scream 7 is hiding in plain sight as the fan favourite Chad Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding).
Chad Meeks-Martin Has The Backstory To Become Ghostface
Chad is one of the new, young cast members who debuted in Scream (2022). He’s linked to the original Woodsboro massacre by his late uncle, Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy), and harbored a major crush on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). Chad isn’t much like his geeky, film-enthusiast uncle, though. When the film starts, he’s an athlete, playing football for his high school and dating Liv McKenzie (Sonia Ammar).
However, his life turns upside down when a new Ghostface begins the legacy killings, targeting everyone connected to the original tragedy. Although he survives, he doesn’t come out of the massacre unscathed. Ghostface attacks Chad, leaving him for dead, before proceeding to kill his girlfriend, Liv. He just barely survives, and Scream ends with him and his twin sister, Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown), recovering in the hospital.
It’s a lot to go through, but Chad seems to have recovered quite well in Scream VI (2023). He attends Blackmore University with much of his surviving friend group and begins to develop feelings for Tara Carpenter (Jenna Ortega). However, his closeness to Tara and her sister Samantha Carpenter puts his life in jeopardy when a new Ghostface arises, seeking revenge for the last Ghostface’s death. Once again, Chad is stabbed and nearly fatally wounded, ending Scream VI in the hospital.
Chad has experienced so much trauma. He and his sister have been relentlessly targeted, attacked, and nearly killed. He lost his girlfriend and faced death twice, only narrowly surviving each time. As one Redditor suggested, his character could take a heartbreaking twist. Unable to cope with the trauma, perhaps he sees Sidney as the cause of all his problems in Scream 7 and attempts to end the murders and suffering by targeting her.
Fans Are Worried For Chad’s Fate
Even if Chad isn’t Scream 7’s Ghostface, his fate doesn’t look good. He may have survived Ghostface twice, but will his luck last for a third time for both him and his sister? His fate is even more uncertain due to some changes in Scream 7’s cast. Both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, who portray the Carpenter sisters and were the main protagonists of Scream and Scream VI, departed the film during pre-production.
Chad and Mindy’s significance was tied heavily to the Carpenters, as they were part of their friend group, and Chad and Tara had a blossoming romance. Without the Carpenters, the film may not know what to do with the Meeks twins. Chad could take the Ghostface route, or the film could kill him, his sister, or both twins quickly due to the creative direction change Scream 7 required. Either way, the twins’ luck seems ready to run out.
Other Ghostface Theories Worth Considering
While Chad would make a heartbreaking but understandable Ghostface, he’s far from the only possibility in Scream 7. Matthew Lillard’s return as Stu Macher has certainly raised eyebrows. Since Stu is deceased, most expect he’ll return in flashbacks or perhaps as some kind of AI-generated taunt against Sidney. However, characters presumed dead have turned up alive before in the franchise. Hence, there’s a small chance the original Ghostface accomplice, Stu, will return as Scream 7’s Ghostface.
There are also new cast members to consider. While we don’t know much about them at this point, some fans have honed in on Anna Camp and Asa Germann’s characters, who are mother and son Jessica and Lucas, respectively. There’s little evidence for either of them being the killers, but it seems they just have that vibe that feels suspicious.
Some Redditors even suspect Gale will be the new Ghostface, finally breaking after years of torment and trauma. Once again, literally anyone, new or returning, can be behind the Ghostface mask in Scream 7. Any choice raises the possibility of heartbreak and betrayal, but nevertheless, promises an excellent slasher twist.
