Wayans Family Returns with a New ‘Scary Movie’

The infamous killer Ghostface makes an unwise attempt to attack Teyana Taylor in the opening of the new ‘Scary Movie’. The outcome isn’t in the killer’s favor. Ghostface’s knife bends as it hits the actor’s muscular abdomen.

Teyana Taylor proudly states, “My abs have abs.” This interaction ends with Ghostface taunting Taylor about her recent Oscar loss, to which she responds by hitting him with her Golden Globe award.

This scene captures the comedic style of the Wayans family. Their signature humor is a mix of the absurd, topical, and sometimes hysterical. The latest ‘Scary Movie’ installment reunites numerous Wayans family members to parody horror films and current events.

The script credits Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Craig Wayans, and Rick Alvarez, with Michael Tiddes in the director’s chair. The film’s numerous writers bring together jokes spanning generations, from ‘The Jeffersons’ to ChatGPT references.

While the plot is loose, the focus is on laughs. Ghostface from the ‘Scream’ franchise is after the original ‘Scary Movie’ core cast: Marlon Wayans’ Shorty, Shawn Wayans’ Ray, Anna Faris’ Cindy, and Regina Hall’s Brenda. Many uncredited guest stars fill the story.

Now adults, the core characters face their personal struggles. Cindy’s drinking, Shorty profits from cryptocurrency, and Cindy’s child deals with ‘mommy issues’. The cast jokes that they need to “save the franchise.”

Jokes target pop culture figures like Kanye West, current trends like sex-positivity, and events such as COVID-19 and DEI initiatives. The film nods to classic horror movies and pop culture phenomena, adding its satirical spin.

The film references ‘Terrifier 3’, ‘Sinners’, ‘Weapons’, and more. However, in places, the film simply presents other movies’ setups without adding parody, which can fall flat.

Highlights include a theme park parody of ‘Final Destination’ with rides under the tagline, ‘Where everybody dies’. A sequence parodying ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ adds animation and humor.

Returning characters, like Cheri Oteri as Gail Hailstorm, bring nostalgia. Parodying previous parodies prompts questions about originality.

‘Scary Movie’ humor includes excessive props and product placements. Despite occasional comedic misfires, the film offers classic Wayans humor in its evident style.

‘Scary Movie’, released by Paramount Pictures, holds an R rating for its mature themes and language. The film runs for 95 minutes and received a one-and-a-half-star rating out of four.