The latest 'Scary Movie' installment kicks off with a signature blend of absurdity and violence as Ghostface unwisely attempts to stab Teyana Taylor, only for his dagger to bend against her famously chiseled abs. 'I'm Teyana Taylor,' she declares. 'My abs have abs.' This opening exchange perfectly encapsulates the Wayans family's unique comedic style: cartoonish, topical, gross, profane, and often hysterically funny.
After a decade-long hiatus, what appears to be a dozen members of the Wayans family have reunited for this new chapter. The film is a dizzying pastiche of loosely tied skits, riffing on both current and past horror movies, alongside topical events such as ICE raids and the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef. The script is a collaborative effort by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez, with Michael Tiddes directing.
Plot takes a backseat as the narrative loosely follows Ghostface hunting the original 'Scary Movie' 'Core Four': Marlon Wayans' Shorty, Shawn Wayans' Ray, Anna Faris' Cindy, and Regina Hall's Brenda. Now adults, the characters are a mess – Cindy struggles with alcohol, while Shorty, a crypto-rich stoner, still plays video games. The film features a plethora of uncredited guest stars and returning faces, some inexplicably resurrected.
The humour casts a wide net, targeting Kanye West, 'sex-positive' culture, COVID-19, Ted Bundy, 'Saltburn,' Candace Owens, DEI hires, 'Silence of the Lambs,' and OnlyFans. Scatological jokes are abundant, alongside a deep vein of homophobic humour. The film also parodies 'Terrifier 3,' 'Sinners,' and 'Weapons,' with varying degrees of success. However, it occasionally falters by merely referencing films like 'M3GAN,' 'Get Out,' 'Candyman,' and 'The Substance' without truly skewering them.
The franchise indulges in self-parody, with Cheri Oteri returning as Gail Hailstorm and Chris Elliott reprising his creepy caretaker role. The film raises questions about its heavy reliance on 'Scream' in 2026 and the prevalence of sex toys, but as Teyana Taylor wisely states before assaulting Ghostface, 'I know who goes to a Wayans brother movie.' It's an audience willing to endure numerous gross-out misfires for those few truly killer bits.
