Scary Movie 6 Review
It’s been only a few months since Scream 7 was released in theaters. However, given how that film ended up, it definitely feels like everyone wants to move on. While most of the horror movie community did, the executive forces behind this film stuck with their guts. They did something that they haven’t done in quite a while: bring back the chaotic horror film-spoof series, Scary Movie. All of them were rambunctious and wild, headlined with Anna Faris and Regina Hall at the wheel and the Wayans’ super-stoned out comedy. Those films grew on their audience, but now, the series attempts to make a comeback that pushes the offensive limits. Although Scary Movie 6 does succeed in doing that in some capacity, it’s still a spaghettified mash of nostalgic madness.
Scary Movie 6 lifts its story loosely from Scream 5, where Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris) is wrapped back into the hunt for Ghostface. Although the narrative focus is placed on the kids, everything revolves around Cindy and the Meeks siblings, Brenda (Regina Hall) and Shorty (Marlon Wayans), and Ray (Shawn Wayans). Reunited at last, the “core four,” which they all consider to be ‘cringe’ in the film, must figure out who Ghostface is and what they want. Funnily enough, it rubs the identity of who it is in your face, but there’s still some finger-pointing surprises in store.
Much like the horror film franchise it’s spoofing, Scary Movie 6 is as referential and rooted in easter eggs and cameos as you’d expect. The opening moments instantly reel you back into the heated zaniness, with a surprising Teyana Taylor cameo that’s got a One Battle After Another-gang up thing going on with it. It’s fun, but from here, the film is essentially a chain of horror movie references that are constantly in your face. From a Final Destination-esque theme park to that entire Get Out-inspired sequence, these references are certainly unescapable. It’s even more inescapable when you watch the Kai Cenat streamathon joke and realize how slightly behind the times the film is.
There’s also a lot more “on-the-nose” humor with so many political jokes, some of which hit on some topical things happening. Some of these jokes are a bit funny, like when Doofy (Dave Sheridan) is made out to be a right-leaning isolationist who got pardoned for January 6 (though it also feels like it counteracts what his character originally was). The same thing could also be said about Cindy, who’s basically the Jamie Lee Curtis of the situation and outright jokes about Midwestern white-isms as seen from those trailers. It’s more of a background thing, but that can be said about the countless political asides Scary Movie makes.
Plus, the gender stereotypical jokes Scary Movie 6 tries to make aren’t great. There’s the obvious example of Dei Meeks (Sydney Park), who’s essentially the Mindy Meeks-Martin who acts socially proactive and is an obvious play on couch supporters. They completely act like Mindy and heavily clarify what they believe (as a clear representation of people vocally announcing their own appropriations.) Then, there’s Jess (Benny Zielke), who’s the transgender son of Greg (Lochlyn Munro). To make it clear, there’s some jokes that feel somewhat transphobic-coded, especially when the new group is together for the first time. It doesn’t help that it just feels a bit forced as Scary Movie 6 tries to contrive a bit of its own controversy from this.
The most redeeming thing that Scary Movie 6 has it going has to be whatever Ghostface is up to. Surprisingly, the motives of Ghostface (or rather, the Ghostfaces) is actually reinforcing the idea that you don’t need to do something new. Instead, people just want to keep the old, which feels a little prescient today given some recent large studio releases. However, there’s also this underlying motive about notoriety, fame, and success that hinders a bit of jealousy. It’s actually an interesting collection of motives that’s presented thanks to a few familiar faces from Scary Movie 3 and 4 that wraps back to the first two films quite nicely.
Yet, as with the past three films in this series, Scary Movie 6 doesn’t necessarily warrant as much as it needs to. It does try to pose a thoughtful conundrum in its finale, but the road to get there is paved in an overly meta-centric, slightly outdated, and extremely bonkers, mess. That said, if you’re looking to turn your brain off for an hour and thirty, then Scary Movie 6 will likely meet your expectations.
Rating: ★★⯪☆☆
Scary Movie 6 is now playing in theaters.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.