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Gross-out appeal revs up Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s Anaconda reboot

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There’s a ready-made audience for this comic reboot of the 1997 creature feature Anaconda.

The original has become a cult classic treasured among movies that are so bad they’re good, which means fans are watching the new one with an affectionate appreciation of its parodic nods to the original. If you’re among the unconverted, however, you may be less susceptible.

The adventure begins when Griff Griffin (Paul Rudd), an out-of-work actor, tells a few of his old friends that he’s managed to acquire the rights to Anaconda, a picture they’ve all loved since adolescence. Eager to produce a remake, he suggests he and his former girlfriend, Claire (Thandiwe Newton) play the leads, their camera-mad friend Doug (Jack Black) directs and Kenny (Steve Zahn), the fourth member of the group, fills the role of cinematographer.

Anaconda review – Jack Black and Paul Rudd charm in unusual meta-comedy remake

The 1997 creature feature gets a self-referential redo that works best when it allows its two stars to lean into silliness

Anyone rightly suspicious of comedies that try to make sure they have plenty of “heart” will rightly get their hackles up during the opening section of Anaconda, which sheds the skin of its 1997 horror-adventure namesake to reveal a self-referential goof on unnecessary reboots. After an absolutely woeful attempt at a horror-movie cold open where it becomes clear that director/co-writer Tom Gormican hasn’t the merest glimmer of talent for establishing mood, building suspense or even properly unveiling a crazy creature, the movie settles in for the true mission of any great broad comedy: uh, building pathos? After years as an aspiring film-maker, Doug (Jack Black) is succeeding-yet-languishing in his compromised hometown job as a wedding videographer. Meanwhile, his childhood bestie, Griff (Paul Rudd), is following the dream by working as an actor out in Los Angeles, but only just barely. We see him fired from a one-line role on a medical show because of his nerves, in a scene written for nagging sympathy first and comedy a distant second.

Anaconda First Reviews: A Missed Opportunity Buoyed by a Likable Cast

The action-horror comedy Anaconda is set to hit theaters this Christmas, and the first reviews are now available online. Paul Rudd and Jack Black star in the movie, a meta sequel to the 1997 cult classic of the same name, alongside Steve Zahn and Thandiwe Newton. This sixth installment of the franchise follows a group of friends attempting to remake the original, and many reviews celebrate how it sends up creature features of the ‘90s and the reboot-driven Hollywood of today. However, it might be difficult to appreciate the 2025 Anaconda if you haven’t seen the 1997 Anaconda.

It is probably too much hyperbole to call Sony’s Anaconda the funniest movie of the year, but for my money, it really is.— Pete Hammond, Deadline Hollywood Daily

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