Melissa Barrera Says ‘Scream’ Firing Led to a ‘Big Awakening’: ‘I’m Just So Grateful for Everything That’s Happened’

Melissa Barrera weighed in on her controversial exit from the “Scream” franchise while attending the Sundance Film Festival for the premiere of her latest horror movie, “Your Monster.”

“Honestly, I think I finally am becoming who I’m supposed to be in life, and the last few months have been a big awakening of that,” Barrera told the Associated Press when asked about her “Scream” exit. “I’m just so grateful for everything that’s happened.”

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Barrera played Sam Carpenter, the daughter of Billy Loomis (played by Skeet Ulrich in the original), in 2022’s “Scream” and 2023’s “Scream 6,” the latter of which set a franchise box office record with $108 million at the domestic box office. She was supposed to continue playing the character in the upcoming “Scream 7,” but she was fired last November after showing support for Palestine on social media.

Spyglass, the production banner behind the hit horror franchise, said in a statement to Variety at the time: “We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.”

Berrara’s exit from the franchise was followed by her co-star Jenna Ortega leaving the next sequel and “Scream 7” director Christopher Landon also dropping out of the film.

“I guess now is as good a time as any to announce I formally exited ‘Scream 7’ weeks ago,” Landon wrote in a social media post while announcing his own exit. “This will disappoint some and delight others. It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare. And my heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on.”

He continued, “I have nothing more to add to the conversation other than I hope Wes’ legacy thrives and lifts above the din of a divided world. What he and Kevin created is something amazing and I was honored to have even the briefest moment basking in their glow.”

While she is no longer a member of the “Scream” franchise, Barrera is keeping her horror resume alive and well at Sundance with the world premiere of “Your Monster.” The film combines elements of horror and romantic-comedy in telling the story of a young actress with cancer (Barrera) who discovers a terrifying and charming monster living in her closet. The film is directed by Caroline Lindy.

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