Thirteen years after its last installment, the iconic horror parody franchise “Scary Movie” returns with its sixth chapter, often referred to as a reboot, sequel, or requel. Arriving amidst a current boom in the horror genre, this new film, directed by Michael Tiddes and penned by the Wayans brothers and Rick Alvarez, endeavors to bring back the unique brand of slapstick, gross-out, and meta-humor that has defined the series for decades. While the horror landscape has evolved significantly since “Scary Movie 5” in 2013, the new film primarily anchors its comedic efforts in skewering the “Scream” franchise, particularly the 2022 legacy sequel.

The film attempts to recapture the essence of the “Scary Movie” school of comedy, which, much like the “Naked Gun” and “Airplane!” films, thrives on exaggeration and inflating familiar tropes into outsize goofs. Some gags hit their mark, such as Ray Wilkins' (Shawn Wayans) comically detailed declaration of not being gay, or the absurd attempt by Jack, Sara, and Tuesday to gain entry by playing a banjo version of “Movin’ On Up” from “The Jeffersons,” reminiscent of a vampire’s invitation. Another moment that resonates involves Sydney Park's politically sensitive high-school student correcting her stabber on subway, insisting on her correct pronouns, only for the annoyed passenger to join in the stabbing. These moments highlight the potential for sharp, observational parody.

However, many jokes, unfortunately, falter in execution. A send-up of “Get Out” featuring Shorty (Marlon Wayans) in a sunken place, which transitions into an anime fantasy about weed, sounds amusing in theory but falls flat. Similarly, Art the Clown from the “Terrifier” movies appearing as Santa simply does what he would normally do, lacking a parodic twist. The character of Doofy Gilmore (Dave Sheridan), a lisping, unclean dimwit, is presented as grating and ineffectual, leading to relief when he's offed. Critics note that many jokes feel more “asserted than delighted” and that the film doesn't discover anything new about the “Scream” genre, which itself has become a self-parody. The film's heavy reliance on spoof-genre history and its meta-commentary on being a “rebootiquel” can feel more exhausting than exhilarating, leading to a “meh” reaction.

The plot loosely follows the structure of “Scream 2022,” with Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris) returning as an aloof recluse à la Laurie Strode, preparing for Ghostface’s inevitable return to target her children. Brenda (Regina Hall) and Shorty (Marlon Wayans) also reprise their roles, continuing their fourth-wall-breaking antics. Beyond “Scream,” the film incorporates references to other horror movies, including playful jabs at “Sinners,” “Longlegs,” “The Substance” (with a tangential joke about the Epstein files), “Get Out,” and a notable M3GAN booty dance. While director Michael Tiddes commendably emulates the visual styles of these films, the movie is criticized for not fully expanding its scope to more contemporary horror like “Midsommar,” “The Conjuring” films, or “Weapons,” despite some of these being acknowledged as part of the broader horror boom. The film is presented as a family franchise riding shotgun on the power of the “Scream” franchise, with the Wayans brothers binding themselves to the Ghostface saga.

The cast is often cited as the film's biggest strength. Anna Faris as Cindy Campbell, now the franchise's den mother, and Regina Hall as Brenda Meeks, the self-described “cool Black mom,” are highlighted as the “secret weapons,” delivering some of the movie's funniest jokes with their good-sport glee. Marlon and Shawn Wayans also have solid scenes, though their characters’ recurring gags of “I'm high” and “I'm gay” can become repetitive. A standout performance comes from Olivia Rose Keegan, playing Cindy’s eldest daughter, who is described as “downright hysterical” and delivers a “pitch perfect impression of Faris,” proving to be a fantastic new face in comedy. Kim Wayans also makes an impression as a hostile ICU nurse. The climax features numerous unbilled cameos playing Ghostface, a joke, however, that is deemed past its sell-by date.

Regarding its themes, the film notably made headlines for its creators stating it would not go “woke.” True to this, it takes a “South Park” approach, making fun of everyone without being overly offensive or entirely tame. However, this “anti-woke” humor ultimately feels familiar and by-the-book for the franchise. The film also delves heavily into raunch, featuring explicit sex gags such as a quivering purple butt plug and an “incendiary oral-sex-as-rolling-a-blunt session.”

Ultimately, the reception of the new “Scary Movie,” which premieres in theaters on Friday, June 5th, with a runtime of 95 minutes, largely depends on a viewer’s existing feelings about the previous five installments. For fans, it's described as a “silly reunion with an old friend,” while those who disliked the previous films are unlikely to have their minds changed by its over-the-top antics and shock humor. Unlike the “Naked Gun” reboot, which successfully elevated its brand of humor, “Scary Movie” feels more like a “slightly re-colored bag of old tricks” rather than a fresh take on a classic concept, delivering a performance that is silly, unserious, and by-the-book.