The parody movie has become something of a lost art. Once a staple of theaters in the wake of 2000’s Scary Movie, spoof films have completely disappeared from the cultural consciousness. This makes the return of the Scary Movie franchise feel oddly refreshing, like an offensive infection of humor unafraid to go for the jugular. While comedy is often the most subjective genre, the best entries in this series understood a simple truth: they didn’t need to be Oscar winners, or even contain a cohesive storyline. They just needed to make audiences howl with laughter. In a world where a tweet can get you cancelled, we need this type of humor unafraid to poke fun at literally anything. Scary Movie 6, taking a page from the books of Halloween, Scream, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, goes simply by Scary Movie. Maybe all the world needed to heal was Cindy and Brenda reteaming and insulting each other. Or baby dicks. One of those.
As someone who grew up with these movies, I was especially excited to see Scary Movie 6. I still remember convincing my aunt to take my cousin, younger sister, and me to see the original film in theaters when I was nine years old. We were undoubtedly far too young to be watching it, but it became one of those formative moviegoing experiences that sticks with you forever. Since then, I’ve seen every installment on the big screen, and despite the franchise’s ups and downs, I’ve always had a soft spot for its particular brand of absurdity. After the second film, the Wayans essentially had their franchise stolen from them, which makes this reclamation feel all the more special.
Scary Movie 6 embraces the modern horror “legacy sequel” trend—or as the film refers to it, a “rebootyquel.” The movie lovingly targets the recent wave of horror revivals while placing its own ridiculous spin on familiar genre conventions. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, it understands exactly what audiences are here for. Outrageous jokes, shameless pop-culture references, and a rapid-fire barrage of gags come fast and furious, unafraid of if or how they’ll land. From Epstein Files, to ICE raids to #MeToo, nothing is off limits. If my audience was an indicator, there’s nothing quite like a stupid parody flick on the big screen.
After a brilliant opening scene that blends Scream 5 and VI, Scary Movie introduces a new group of teens while gradually reuniting many of the franchise’s most beloved characters. Among the new pack: Cameron Scott Roberts as Jack, the spitting image of Jack Quaid; trans character Jess (Benny Zielke); overly-woke Dei (Sydney Park) and her sexually stunted hunky brother Brad (Gregg Wayans), and Cindy’s daughter, the very loopy Sara (Olivia Rose Keegan). Returning favorites including Cindy (Anna Faris), Brenda (Regina Hall), Shorty (Marlon Wayans), Ray (Shawn Wayans), and Doofy (Dave Sheridan) are given plenty of opportunities to shine, and it’s immediately apparent that the filmmakers understand why audiences fell in love with these characters in the first place. Their chemistry remains intact, and seeing them interact again feels like reconnecting with old friends—albeit incredibly dysfunctional ones.
What impressed me most was the consistently hilarious sequences that directly adapt beats of Scream 5. Even when some of the trailer’s biggest jokes have already been spoil, there are still plenty of surprises waiting in store. Director Michael Tiddes moves it all at a relentless pace, firing off visual gags, one-liners, celebrity cameos, and ridiculous set pieces with machine-gun efficiency. Not every joke lands, but the hit rate is far higher than expected. Knowing the Scream franchise like the back of my hand helped the story beats hit even harder. Yet, a thorough knowledge of horror and pop culture isn’t fully necessary to “get” on this movie’s wavelength. For the slasher fans, a traditional slasher formula is still followed, complete with utterly ridiculous kills. We even get an off-kilter, weirdly perfect eventual reveal that hammers home the larger real-world realities the Wayans have faced.
The standout performers are easily the returning cast members. Anna Faris and Regina Hall effortlessly slip back into their iconic roles, while Marlon Wayans once again proves that few people understand the franchise’s comedic DNA better than he does. Meanwhile, Doofy continues to steal nearly every scene. His bond with Gail Hailstorm (Cheri Oteri), a mirrored replica of Dewey/Gale in Scream 5, scratches a nostalgic itch. Fans of the original film will find countless callbacks and Easter eggs hidden throughout, many of which reward longtime viewers. A side plot with Shorthand (Chris Elliott) feels like a slight missed opportunity, if only because his interactions in Scary Movie 2 with the cast are outrageously perfect. Can you even think about a Thanksgiving turkey without imagining the little hand “stuffing the shit out of it?”
What ultimately makes Scary Movie work is that it understands the assignment. It never pretends to be fiercely intelligent, nor does it attempt to elevate itself beyond its roots. This is a movie designed to make audiences laugh, and it succeeds by embracing the same chaotic, anything-goes energy that made the original films such a cultural phenomenon. The result feels far more like a genuine continuation of the franchise than a cynical reboot. In an era where many comedy films struggle to make an impact, Scary Movie serves as potent reminder of just how much fun a crowd-pleasing parody can be. Crude, ridiculous, occasionally offensive, and completely unapologetic, this rebootyquel brings back the “core four” and reclaims that special Wayans spark.
Scary Movie reboots into the horror stratosphere, now playing in theaters everywhere.
