In 1997, Anaconda was released in cinemas, starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, and Owen Wilson. The film wasn’t well received by critics, but it has since become a cult favourite and even spawned a few sequels. The latest film in the franchise, also titled Anaconda, is neither a reboot nor a sequel. Instead, it is about a group of filmmakers filming their own reboot of the 1997 film. 2025’s Anaconda stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Thandiwe Newton, and Steve Zahn and is now slithering its way into cinemas worldwide.

Four childhood friends, Doug, Griff, Claire, and Kenny, seeking to recapture their youth, travel to the Amazon to film an amateur remake of the 1997 film, Anaconda. Their project unravels when a real giant anaconda emerges, turning the light-hearted shoot into a perilous fight for survival. The movie that they’re dying to remake might just kill them, literally.

Jack Black stars as Doug, a wedding videographer who has dreams of directing his own big-budget movies. Jack does what he does best with his signature Jack Black antics, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments throughout the film, especially with that pig carcass strapped to his back. It’s clear Doug has a passion for filmmaking, and he hopes this will finally be his big break.

Paul Rudd portrays Griff, a struggling actor who has only managed to get minor roles in television series and movies. Paul’s portrayal is an obvious parody of actors who think highly of themselves. His mannerisms and the way he exaggerates his character are incredibly cheesy and awkward, too. His character in the movie-within-a-movie is supposed to be serious but comes across as corny in the best way.

Thandiwe Newton stars as Claire, a childhood friend of the others and co-star to Griff, whose acting is almost as cheesy as his. She’s also the voice of reason when the other characters have disagreements with each other. Thandiwe Newton isn’t best known for her comedic roles, so seeing her try to be serious but end up awkward is a nice change from her other work and feels natural.

Steve Zahn plays Kenny, who joins the group as the cameraman for the Anaconda reboot. Steve is well known for his comedic roles, and you wouldn’t think he’d get a chance to get as many funny moments as a supporting character, but he surprisingly gets more than you’d expect.

The film about a film isn’t afraid to poke fun at filmmaking and the people behind it. Even though the characters’ lives are in danger, you can’t help but laugh at everyone, even when the giant snake is about to swallow them whole. It isn’t just the anaconda that’s after them, either, as various other characters get involved too, and this provides plenty of victims to be consumed for everyone’s guilty pleasure.

The plot can be predictable, and the comedy can feel overdone and formulaic, especially since a lot of the funnier moments were already given away in the trailers. It certainly won’t be for everyone, but it’s also not meant to be taken seriously and is an excuse to put your critical mind aside and just have a good time.

The first half of the film feels slow, but it does what it needs to set up a more exciting second half. There is also plenty of action, and it builds to an explosive climax that would make Michael Bay jealous.

The anaconda in the original 1997 film was slightly larger than real-life anacondas to make it look more menacing on screen. The snake in the 2025 version is even bigger, more like the size of a dinosaur, and while it doesn’t get as much screen time, the occasions when it does appear make them more special and memorable.

The film has a few well-timed jump scares, even better than some recent horror films, but quickly follows it up with some comedy. Being eaten alive by a snake is as scary as it gets, but the comedy helps balance the scare factor, reminding audiences they’re watching a comedy film.

The 2025 version of Anaconda was primarily filmed in Queensland, Australia, and the locations and set pieces do a fantastic job of making it look and feel like the Amazon jungles of Brazil. Seeing forests, rivers, and swamps helps immerse audiences in the film by creating a sense of isolation in a jungle as a giant snake looms.

The soundtrack features music from various artists, including AC/DC and Metallica, but the biggest standout and most fitting song is, of course, ‘Anaconda’ by Nicki Minaj, which emphasises the sample of ‘Baby Got Back’ by Sir Mix-a-Lot within the song. A famous ’80s love song plays more than once, which feels out of place but also strangely fits in and adds so much to the comedy in specific scenes.

The 2025, not a reboot of Anaconda, is not to be taken seriously. It is a comedy first and foremost, but it is also filled with charm and heartfelt moments. It’s presented as a parody of filmmaking, but it also shows the realities of the movie industry, with disagreements and fallouts among cast and crew. Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Steve Zahn can put in any film and make it funny, and Thandiwe Newton gets to show a different side of herself.

The main cast are clearly having a great time in their roles and have excellent on-screen chemistry together. The anaconda itself may not be as prominent as we’d hope, but it still gets plenty of memorable moments that will creep out audiences, and the main characters will make them laugh hysterically at the same time.

The original 1997 film already set expectations low, but for those who give the 2025 version a chance, they will be pleasantly surprised to see that it’s actually a funny film worth watching. 2025’s Anaconda is simply a fun comedy action flick that anyone can enjoy as long as you switch off your mind, not overthink everything, and just have a good time with plenty of laughs.

Written by: Sammy Hanson