Anaconda (2025) is story of survival with a silly slant. Failing actor Griff (Paul Rudd) unexpectedly acquires the rights to Anaconda (1997). He decides to team up with his childhood friend Doug (Jack Black), a wannabe writer/director to make the film they always dreamed about in the form of a remake of the cult classic. The set out into the Amazon, but heir mission quickly derails when they discover they are not alone. As equipment fails and tensions rise, the expedition turns into a frantic fight for survival. With each encounter escalating in scale and absurdity, the body count climbs and the jungle becomes a playground for increasingly outrageous confrontations between humans and serpent.

What works in Anaconda is the fantastic meta humor and the collective commitment to the bit. Everyone involved clearly understands the assignment. The film dials up the cheese, the slapstick, and the ridiculousness to a degree that feels deliberate rather than lazy. This is a horror movie designed for people who don’t actually like horror movies. The jump scares are there, but they are mild, often playful and punchline-adjacent. When the snake strikes, it’s less about terror and more about timing. The laughter comes fast. Whether through exaggerated reactions, knowingly corny dialogue, or the sheer audacity of how far the film is willing to go. It’s a popcorn flick through and through. Anaconda is loud, silly, and self-aware.

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The tone is crucial, and Anaconda nails it. The film never pretends to be prestige horror or elevated genre fare. Instead, it leans hard into camp. It wants the audience laughing, gasping, and nudging the person next to them. The action is energetic. The pacing rarely stalls. The set pieces are staged to maximize spectacle rather than suspense, and that choice works. By the time the third act arrives, the movie is essentially winking at the audience while throwing everything it has onto the screen. It’s absurd and proudly so.

That said, Anaconda will not work for everyone. Viewers who dislike silliness or exaggerated humor will likely bounce off its tone almost immediately. The film is intentionally over-the-top, and it never pulls back. In addition, familiarity with Anaconda (1997) and its status as a cult classic absolutely enhances the experience. Many of the jokes, callbacks, and tonal choices play best if you understand why the original became so beloved in the first place. Without that context, some of the humor may feel odd or overly broad. Finally, while the horror is light, there is still gore and creature violence. Those who avoid scares entirely may want to steer clear.

In the end, Anaconda is exactly the movie its filmmakers set out to make. Nothing more. Nothing less. It’s silly, self-aware, and unapologetically dumb fun. For audiences willing to be in on the joke, this wildly entertaining creature feature delivers the goods.

Highly recommended if you also enjoyed Anaconda (1997), Cocaine Bear, and Lake Placid.

Anaconda (2025) now available to rent or purchase on most digital platforms.

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