The Wayans return to the Scary Movie franchise with the original cast after 25 long years. They haven’t lost a raunchy parody step and are out for pop culture scalps in a scathing sixth installment. It’s just as lewd, idiotic, and patently offensive as expected, but deliciously humorous with a smattering of knockdown laughs that will have audiences rolling. Those with thin skin and delicate sensibilities, be warned. Your ire will certainly be aroused as nothing is sacred in an unabashed skewering of race, gender, politics, and horror tropes.
We’re introduced to Sara (Olivia Rose Keegan), the estranged daughter of Cindy Campbell ( Anna Faris). She works with her boyfriend (Cameron Scott Roberts) in a unique theme park with not-quite-death-defying rides. Sara gets word that her younger sister, Tuesday (Savannah Lee Nassif) has been targeted by a new Ghostface killer. Sara has serious “mommy issues” but must return home to protect her beloved sibling.
Brenda (Regina Hall) is still Cindy’s bestie from high school. She married the closeted Ray Wilkins ( Shawn Wayans). They have a stridently woke teenage daughter (Sydney Park) and clueless jock son (Cameron Scott Roberts), who’re both ashamed of their “ratchet” mom and perpetually stoned uncle. Drum roll please, Shorty Meeks ( Marlon Wayans) has indeed survived to continue smoking blunts and bongs. The Ghostface killer seemingly has them all on a hit list, but this time he won’t find hapless victims or an easy slaughter. Cindy and her daughters are ready to fight back…if they can reconcile before being murdered.
Marlon and Shawn drop n-bombs like cookie crumbs. Racial stereotypes, a juvenile embrace of vulgar nudity, and mocking alternative lifestyles continue to be their joie de vivre. Scary Movie has no shortage of full-frontal men and snarky LGBTQ+ jokes. This is their style of comedy, and it’s been virtually unchanged since the early days of Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood and White Chicks. They will never be politically correct, but are sensitive to different gender associations despite being barbed. Marlon proudly has a transgender child. It’s their goal to ruffle feathers. There’s nothing purposely malicious or mean-spirited here. They have always been equal opportunity offenders.
The Wayans script also goes after the MAGA and Fox News crowd with a blowtorch. No one gets a pass from being crudely satirized. Put any hurt feelings or indignation aside, because there’s usually a cognitive dissonance in those who think they’re being unfairly represented. Scary Movie is told in pure jest and indicative of the Wayans take-no-prisoners attitude to filmmaking. Their characters lampoon the various extremes in society that probably deserve a little ribbing.
Scary Movie goes south with sluggish pacing that dips after every good belly laugh. Most scenes start off strong, but then linger on for too long and lose their humor. The film can be described as a series of improv skits where the actors run out of steam and are grasping at straws to craft the next bit. This is especially noticeable in a second act that’s entirely too bloated. A fairly entertaining climax saves Scary Movie by putting its destiny in the primary character’s hands. Who strangely plays second fiddle while the supporting characters bumble about. She springs into action just in time to face the masked attacker.
Faris has capably led the franchise and deserves the lion’s share of credit for its lucrative box office success. She’s once again the best part of the film with a different take on her character. Cindy has gone from being the hunted damsel in distress to an alcoholic mother biding her time for vengeance. She’s basically spoofing the evolution of Neve Campbell’s “Sidney Prescott” in Scream. Cindy wears her emotions on her sleeve until it’s time to perk up for the punchline. Her comic timing is sharp and generous in ensemble scenes where she usually plays the straight-man role. Faris gives the zany Wayans space to do their shtick before taking center stage for her moment to shine. Faris owns the final act in a badass turn that most comedy actresses wouldn’t be versatile enough to do.
Scary Movie arrives 13 years after its last chapter with nods and winks aplenty to a stream of horror hits. Most are mediocre, some incredibly dumb, but a few of them are genuinely creative and a laugh riot. These could literally have been put anywhere in the plot, but are strategically placed to keep the comedy flowing. The dull space in between tries building clues to unmask Ghostface’s identity. That’s obvious from the open and a running gag falls flat. The film boils down to whether the good outweighs the bad enough to warrant a recommendation. You will laugh more than yawn, so that tips the scales to slightly positive.
- Release Date
-
June 5, 2026
- Runtime
-
95 Minutes
- Director
-
Michael Tiddes
- Writers
-
Craig Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Rick Alvarez, Shawn Wayans
- Producers
-
Craig Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Rick Alvarez, Shawn Wayans
Cast
-
Marlon Wayans
Shorty Meeks
-
