Anaconda 2025: A Riotous Meta-Comedy Reimagines a ’90s Cult Classic
Anaconda returns in a sharp, self-aware reboot, blending absurd humour with nostalgic nods to the original. Discover how this new take turns a flawed favourite into a fresh, laugh-out-loud adventure.
Crafting something entirely new is a fine achievement, but there’s a certain art to borrowing from the past and making it feel wholly one’s own. That’s precisely what the latest incarnation of Anaconda manages—a self-referential, uproarious reworking of the 1990s oddity that once featured Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and a notably inert Eric Stoltz, all attempting to outwit a rather unthreatening serpent.
When inspiration runs dry, the industry’s solution is often to slap “meta” onto a genre, sidestepping accusations of unoriginality. In this case, the approach pays off. The new Anaconda is gleefully ridiculous, breathing new life into a film that, for reasons perhaps best left unexamined, has lingered in the public consciousness—likely thanks to the streaming era’s penchant for rediscovery.
Plot: Revisiting the Amazon with a Twist
For years, critics have pleaded with studios to remake misfires rather than tamper with beloved classics. At last, their wish has been granted, albeit in a fashion that’s more cheeky workaround than genuine innovation. The result, however, is a comedy that delivers genuine belly laughs.
The narrative centres on four friends from childhood who, in a moment of questionable judgement, decide to journey to the Amazon to shoot their own version of the 1997 film. Griff (Paul Rudd), a background performer who never quite made it, leads the charge. His mate Doug (Jack Black), a wedding videographer with delusions of auteurism, is the group’s wildcard. Griff’s birthday present to Doug? The rights to remake the original Anaconda—a gift no one saw coming.
Joining them are Kenny (Steve Zahn), recently made redundant by Doug himself, and Claire (Thandiwe Newton), newly divorced and eager to reconnect with her old friends. Together, they set off on what can only be described as a cinematic fantasy camp, intent on recreating their childhood obsession.
Review: Comedy, Chaos, and Character
Director Tom Gormican, known for his work on the Nicolas Cage meta-comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, teams up with Kevin Etten to pen a script that’s a marked improvement on their previous collaborations. Where the Cage project thrived on self-importance, this outing is fuelled by self-sabotage and slapstick panic.
At its core, the film is a buddy action comedy that lampoons the overblown reputation of ’90s creature features. The opening act is a masterclass in comedic build-up, layering gags and tension as disaster looms. Black, in particular, shines as the overconfident disaster magnet, his bravado providing the film’s biggest laughs. Selton Mello, as the group’s snake handler, plays the straight man to perfection, anchoring the chaos with understated wit.
Throwback Charm and Modern Shortcomings
True to its roots, the film leans heavily on physical humour rather than sharp dialogue. Female characters, notably Newton and Ione Skye, are given little to do beyond supporting the male leads, a nod to the era it affectionately mocks. The script may lack biting one-liners, but it compensates with relentless energy and a commitment to broad, accessible comedy.
Some may dismiss this as lightweight fare, especially those still pondering the emotional depths of recent arthouse releases. Yet, there’s something to be said for a star-studded, unapologetically silly comedy that prioritises laughter over prestige. This is the sort of big, brash entertainment that’s become a rarity in today’s cinematic landscape.
The new Anaconda is available exclusively in cinemas from 25 December.