It has been over a decade since Scary Movie 5 was released, and few people realistically expected the franchise to make a comeback. However, during CinemaCon in April 2024, Miramax surprised audiences by announcing that a new Scary Movie film was officially in development.

The most exciting part for longtime fans was the return of the Wayans brothers, the creative minds behind the franchise. After the success of Scary Movie 2 (2001), Keenen Ivory, Shawn, and Marlon Wayans pitched ideas for a third film while also developing what would eventually become White Chicks (2004). Although Miramax initially approved their vision, negotiations reportedly fell apart over pay disputes, with Marlon later claiming the studio's offer would have effectively resulted in the brothers taking a pay cut.

Rather than compromise, the Wayans chose to walk away and focus on White Chicks, while elements of their pitch were reportedly repurposed for Scary Movie 3 without their involvement. For the first time, the franchise moved forward without the creators who had defined its identity, making their return for Scary Movie 6 feel like a genuine homecoming for longtime fans.

There's no point reviewing Scary Movie 6 in the traditional sense because there's nothing traditional about it. To truly understand what this film is trying to do, you almost need a time machine to revisit the era of spoof comedies like Disaster Movie, Epic Movie, Superhero Movie, and countless others. Most of those films were terrible, by the way, but they defined an entire subgenre that has all but disappeared from modern cinema.

There isn't much of a story here, but what little narrative exists is loosely built around the events of Scream 5. It's an odd choice, especially considering both Scream 6 and Scream 7 had already been released by the time this film hit theaters.

More than anything, Scary Movie 6 feels like an extended Saturday Night Live sketch rather than a conventional film. That isn't necessarily a criticism, though, because that's exactly what fans of the franchise are looking for. The appeal has never been a compelling story; it's about switching your brain off and laughing at increasingly absurd situations.

Unfortunately, that approach just didn't work for me. I don't think I laughed even once. The humor feels trapped in the past, and while I'm sure the exaggerated performances were an intentional callback to the series' roots, they came across as more grating than funny.

I don't think offensive jokes are funny simply because they're offensive, and that's how many of the film's jokes came across. Too often, it felt like the humour was chasing shock value rather than clever satire. At times, the goal seemed less about making the audience laugh and more about having them leave saying, "This generation is so soft," or applauding the Wayans for refusing to hold back.

I'm genuinely glad the Wayans have regained control of the franchise, but I also think this was a missed opportunity. The original Scary Movie films weren't timeless because they were particularly clever or sophisticated; they worked because they reflected the humour and pop culture of their time. Scary Movie 6, however, feels like it's trying to recreate that era instead of evolving with today's comedy. Rather than embracing how both audiences and satire have changed, it clings to a style of humour that no longer carries the same impact. I know the Wayans are capable of much more, which makes the film all the more disappointing.

Outside of the story, Scary Movie 6 is surprisingly well put together from a technical standpoint. The visuals aren't particularly striking, but the cinematography is consistently solid, with confident camera work and lighting that suits each scene well. It's not a film you'll remember for its visual style, but there's enough care behind the camera to elevate the material beyond what many would expect from a comedy spoof.

The cast also does a respectable job with the material they're given. Comedy is often only as effective as its delivery, and while the writing doesn't always land, the performances are committed enough to sell many of the film's better moments. There's a clear sense that everyone understands the type of movie they're making, even if the screenplay doesn't always give them enough to work with.

By the time the credits rolled, I found myself more disappointed than anything else. This isn't a film that misses because it takes big swings or experiments with new ideas; it misses because it rarely feels interested in doing anything beyond the bare minimum. There are moments that hint at the franchise's potential, but they're far too few to make the experience worthwhile. Even without the nostalgia many fans have for the original films, I couldn't help but feel this comeback should have been far more ambitious. Instead, it left me wondering how a series built on parody ended up feeling so uninspired.

Scary Movie 6 Review: A Comeback That Arrived Too Late.

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