New Anaconda movie is nonsensical, but funny enough to entertain
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ANACONDA (2025) is not interested in being scary. It barely even tries. Instead it goes all in on comedy and treats the entire idea of rebooting the Anaconda franchise like something everyone should be laughing at together.
The 1997 original was campy jungle horror. It was bad, messy and somehow fun because of it. This new version does not even pretend to be horror. It is a straight-up comedy – a meta take on the original that feels more like a studio roast than a creature feature.
Directed by Tom Gormican, the film follows a group of middle-aged friends trying to remake Anaconda as a low-budget indie project, only to run into a giant snake that starts picking them off. It is a movie about making a movie, about regret, stalled careers and chasing one last big idea before it is too late.
The cast is doing most of the work here. Jack Black plays Doug McCallister, a frustrated filmmaker who wants to finally do something epic with his life. Paul Rudd is Ronald “Griff” Griffen Jr, a down-on-his-luck wannabe actor clinging to relevance. Thandiwe Newton as Claire Simons leans into a midlife crisis after a divorce while Steve Zahn plays Kenny Trent, the chaotic outcast juggling addiction and sobriety. It is a funny group on paper and it mostly works on screen.
Making no sense
Is the anaconda itself scary? Not really. The snake is enormous, borderline mythical and feels closer to something out of Jurassic Park than a jungle thriller. It can destroy cruise boats and kill random characters in seconds, yet conveniently toys with the main cast whenever the plot needs them alive.
The film knows this makes no sense and does not really care. Neither should you.
The jokes land more often than not. The spider bite scene – yes, the one involving peeing – is easily the dumbest and funniest moment in the film. It is juvenile, ridiculous and somehow perfect for the tone this movie is going for. The humour also sits in a decent middle ground. It is not a boomer comedy like Grown Ups and not brainrot Gen Z nonsense either. It just plays fine.
Oddly sincere
For a movie set in the Amazon, there is surprisingly little wildlife beyond the snake. Daniela Melchior’s Ana Almeida is given almost nothing to do. Her subplot exists, she runs from people, things happen, but there is no emotional hook and it is hard to care.
On the other hand, Selton Mello’s Carlos Santiago Braga is a standout. He shows up out of nowhere, briefly becomes important and injects a lot of energy into the film whenever he appears.
The cameos from Ice Cube and Jennifer Lopez are pure fan service and genuinely funny, especially if you remember the original film. Even funnier is the fact that Sony allows the movie to openly take jabs at the studio itself.
There is also something oddly sincere about the way the film looks at people trying to make movies outside Hollywood. Movies about making movies are usually too self-obsessed or too clever for their own good. This one keeps it simple and highlights the frustrations and desperation of indie filmmaking without turning into a lecture.
Not scary, but enough silliness
Anaconda is an easy festive watch. There are mild thrills for kids, jokes for parents and enough silliness to keep everyone entertained. Comedy movies are rare in cinemas right now – so, this feels like a nice change of pace.
Hopefully, this is where it ends. No one is really asking for another sequel or a serious reboot. Overall, the film is not scary, not clever, but funny enough and self-aware enough to work.
