Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the jungle, Anaconda (2025) coils up with a hilarious bite. Starring Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and crew, this film is a hilarious take on a 90s monster movie with an unexpected twist! Blending comedy, chaos, and cold-blooded terror, the original film’s remake proves that instead of being overly serious or having high expectations, some remakes are better when made for fun.
With state-of-the-art CGI, a creepy vibe, and a lot of humor that most current-era remakes lack, Anaconda ensures that the monster-action film still has plenty of potential through additional remakes!
The way this Anaconda is presented is different from the 1997 Thundra-horror movie. This version follows a screenplay (metacommentary), and the authors attempt to make a parody about a group of kids who reunite along with their adults and recreate the film they remember as their favorite.
- Doug (Jack Black) is a wedding videographer stuck in a midlife slump.
- Griff (Paul Rudd), his best friend and a struggling actor, shockingly acquires the remake rights to Anaconda.
- Along with their pals Claire (Thandiwe Newton) and Kenny (Steve Zahn), they head into the Amazon rainforest with dreams of shooting an indie remake of the original jungle adventure.
A mockumentary-style comedic film quickly deteriorates into a nightmare after losing a trained actor and discovering a real anaconda on the set.
This film combines adventure and comedy with elements of creature films. In this movie, you will find elements of slapstick humor and self-referential Hollywood parody mixed with elements of jungle peril as these friends attempt to survive while making their ridiculous movie.
Throughout this film, there are scenes full of action and tension interspersed with scenes of humor, creating an enjoyable experience that is both exciting and lighthearted.
Cast & Performances
One of the key strengths of Anaconda’s (2025) cast is its ensemble’s ability to bring charm, chaos, and credibility into a creature thriller that could fall into clichés. The actors each embrace Anaconda’s combination of suspense and silliness, making it both fun and unpredictable.
Paul Rudd as Ronald “Griff” Griffen Jr.
Playing the lead role of the expedition’s leader, Paul Rudd is a great choice for the film’s tone. His naturalness and sense of humor make him relatable to the audience, and with this character’s transformation from a passionate filmmaker to an unwilling survivor of an unexpected event, Rudd provides stability amidst all of the action—he provides moments of levity when necessary, but they do not come at the cost of emotional authenticity; the character’s wit provides a point of reference for audience members to relate with and connect with him, no matter how lunatic-like the jungle may seem.
Jack Black as Doug McCallister
Jack Black brings his signature enthusiasm and comedic flair to the role of Doug, Griff’s devoted friend and amateur co-pilot in his quest for fame and fortune. Black’s comedic timing is on full display throughout the film, as he adds much-needed levity to every scene without disrupting the suspenseful atmosphere that permeates the entire film. When to parody, when to play it real, and how to maintain a fun and humorous vibe with Anaconda, Black is well aware of what may work and what may not.
Thandiwe Newton as Claire Simons
Thandiwe Newton’s portrayal of Claire Simons in the film is an integral emotional element; she provides a level of fearlessness and pragmatism that contrasts sharply with that of her other crew members, while maintaining calm intensity throughout her performance. Her role has a profound impact on the story’s development and the audience’s ability to connect to the survival narrative, where she serves as a moral guide for them in times of chaos.
Daniela Melchior as Ana Almeida
In addition, Daniela Melchior continues to surprise audiences with her versatility, taking on the challenging role of a biologist named Ana who initially joins the crew for the sake of scientific exploration but ultimately faces both the power of nature and her own internal struggles. Through her subtle and expressive style, Melchior portrays Ana with quiet confidence, adding a level of authenticity to the group’s dynamic while promoting continued emotional engagement between the story’s climactic scenes.
Steve Zahn as Kenny Trent
Comedian Steve Zahn makes a triumphant return as the wise-cracking, thrill-seeking crew member, Kenny, who, although he comes off as cool and collected, is actually scared out of his wits. The chemistry between Zahn and both Rudd and Black is laugh-out-loud funny, and the expressions that Zahn makes in response to the snakes’ onslaughts capture precisely what the audience is feeling: disbelief mixed with a certain morbid curiosity.
Selton Mello as Santiago Braga
The character of Santiago Braga is a local snake handler portrayed by the Brazilian actor Selton Mello. The expertise of Santiago and the moral ambiguities that arise as his work progresses throughout the film make him one of the most enigmatic characters in Anaconda. The performance of Mello supports the mystery and danger elements of the film by providing a grounding force for many of the more absurd components of the film; at the same time, it gives the film a stronger degree of cultural authenticity and emotional weight on the narrative.
Supporting & Cameo Performances
The cast also adds an additional layer of nostalgic charm and personality. In her role as Malie McCallister, actress Ione Skye presents a more sincere portrayal and is able to provide warmth to many of the story’s emotional characters. Ben Lawson brings the grit and realism of Brant Markham to the story. Both Ice Cube and Jennifer Lopez present their characters as memorable cameo roles with nods to the original 1997 film Anaconda—a nice nod to long-term fans of that film.
Direction & Cinematography
The direction of Anaconda (2025) achieves a perfect balance between suspense and comedy, breathing new life into a franchise that horrified viewers in 1997. The filmmakers utilize meta-humor while simultaneously honoring the adventure that provides the backbone for this story. The pacing of each scene was designed to maximize both comedic and suspenseful moments, resulting in a rhythmic experience that draws the audience in from beginning to end.
The cinematography by David Klein raises the jungle landscape from its typical backdrop to an artistic, riotous spectacle of chaos and comedy. Expansive views of the Amazon rainforest draw the viewer into the wilderness, while exceptionally captured close-ups of the massive anaconda amplify the fears associated with it but remain artistically acceptable. Using shadow and light throughout the night scenes allows for the two different filmic styles to intermingle and maintain an air of historical significance while also having a comedic quality.
Screenplay & Writing
Your critique fits perfectly here:
Anaconda is a decent reboot that works best when it embraces its parody tone. The setup is clean, the CGI snake looks better than expected, and the jungle atmosphere helps sell the danger. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t feature the anaconda as much as it should, and the pacing slows between attacks.
That’s the film in a nutshell. The writing shines when it leans into irony and spectacle but falters when it forgets the monster at its center. Some dialogue exchanges sparkle with wit, while others feel expository. The middle act lingers too long on interpersonal drama, briefly draining momentum before the next adrenaline spike.
Most Hilarious Scene
Anaconda is a 2025 film filled with gripping suspense and dramatic moments. However, it is really the comedic moments in the movie that set it apart from other films of this genre. For instance, in the movie, when Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd) try to train a large anaconda to perform in their film. This scene leads to absolute mayhem as the snake begins slithering all over the set, knocking down props and hitting camera operators’ heads with his tail, leaving everyone involved running around screaming.
The biggest laugh in this scene occurs when Doug unsuccessfully tries to capture the anaconda, which results in Doug ending up entangled in a large net, alongside the angry anaconda. Paul Rudd’s deadpan delivery and Jack Black’s signature slapstick humor generate an extremely funny moment from what could have been a tense situation. There are a lot of perfect moments of quick wit, improvised responses, and self-referential humor, all of which create a lighthearted atmosphere throughout the movie.
Anaconda demonstrates that the film contains comic elements, in addition to being a classic “creature feature.” It is also a comical adventure that keeps viewers engaged while making them laugh.
Audience Recommendation
Anaconda is tailor-made for fans of creature features, survival thrillers, and action-comedy hybrids. Viewers who enjoyed Kong: Skull Island or The Meg will appreciate its balance of suspense, spectacle, and tongue-in-cheek humor. Serious horror purists may find it too lighthearted, but adventure seekers will have a blast. It succeeds because it knows exactly what it is—a sleek, slightly absurd, and highly entertaining reboot. When it leans into its parody elements, the film becomes a thrilling mix of fear and fun. While it occasionally loses focus between attacks, its strong visuals, immersive sound, and energetic tone make it an enjoyable jungle adventure worth sinking into.
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