Scary Movie is directed by Michael Tiddes, known for A Haunted House and Naked, and while he has shown a knack for broad parody comedy in the past, this film never quite finds its rhythm. Much of the blame falls on the screenplay by Rick Alvarez, which jumps rapidly from gag to gag without establishing enough momentum for many of the jokes to land. The movie constantly feels like it is searching for its next laugh rather than confidently building toward one, resulting in a scattered experience that struggles to maintain energy.
Anna Faris, known for The House Bunny and the original Scary Movie series, returns as Cindy and slips back into the role with ease. Her performance feels very much in line with her previous appearances, capturing the same exaggerated innocence and comedic timing that made the character memorable in the first place. Even when the material isn't particularly strong, Faris remains committed and helps carry the film through some of its weaker stretches.
Olivia Rose Keegan, known for Days of Our Lives and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, plays Cindy's daughter and proves to be one of the better casting choices in the movie. She bears a surprising resemblance to Faris in both mannerisms and comedic delivery, making the mother-daughter dynamic feel believable. Whether intentional or not, her ability to channel some of Faris's energy helps several scenes work better than they otherwise might have.
Regina Hall, known for Girls Trip and the original Scary Movie films, once again demonstrates why she was one of the standout performers of the franchise. She consistently gets the biggest laughs and brings a level of confidence to the absurd material that much of the rest of the cast cannot match. Unfortunately, even Hall's comedic talent can't completely overcome a script that too often mistakes noise for humor.
The biggest issue is that the film feels desperate to be funny rather than naturally funny. Many of the jokes are telegraphed well in advance, and the strongest punchline in the movie is arguably one that audiences already saw in the trailer. When a comedy's best joke has already been used for marketing, it leaves the feature itself with very little room to surprise.
Overall, Scary Movie benefits from the return of familiar faces and a few scattered laughs, but it never captures the irreverent energy that made the earlier entries memorable. The cast does what it can, particularly Anna Faris and Regina Hall, but the writing ultimately lets them down. Scary Movie is a disappointing revival that struggles to justify its return. Result: C-
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