In the midst of unfulfilling lives, four friends reunite with Griffin (Paul Rudd), their most unfulfilled friend who brings a crazy idea to the group: to remake the 1997 film, Anaconda. Doug (Jack Black), Griffin’s closest friend, has been an aspiring filmmaker since his youth but never even attempted to get a narrative feature made. Wanting an escape from his more banal work making wedding “films”, Doug joins Griffin on this adventure along with Claire (Thadiwe Newton) and the always hilarious Kenny (Steve Zahn) as they venture through the Amazon to try to make their film with no professional help. The result is an adventure through the jungle that feels a bit too real. The story takes twists and turns using its scary elements to bring out comedic and emotionally fulfilling bits that push Doug and Griffin’s relationship to the brink.
In Anaconda, much of the humour comes from the meta-nature of the film. For example, we are watching a few bumbling friends make Anaconda but also know that real anaconda antics are going to happen to them because we are watching Anaconda. The meta-humor is basic and fun but, in a year of smart and dramatic films that are about actors and filmmakers (Jay Kelly, Sentimental Value or even Nirvanna the Band the Show), this film does not stand out comedically, making jokes that are mostly not even as creative as those that come naturally in the more dramatic works mentioned.
More so, the film fails to get into any meaningful discussion about filmmaking or the experience of being an artist and creating. However, Anaconda does use its resources wisely. It doesn’t have giant action scenes that feel out of place. Instead, they all serve a purpose but most of the set pieces can end up feeling a bit underwhelming. There are some fun sets and action that entertain but never entrance. More impact comes from the clever uses of the props, environment and characters interaction with them, which makes you think this film could have thrived at an even lower scale.
To its credit, the film is very silly. There are some fun jokes and self-referential humour that works, including some fun and unexpected meta-moments. A lot of humour is kind of expected throughout the film but the first half really relies so much on Jack Black to make the most of it. He’s definitely the star of the show but the writing does let him down at times in the first half. At the same time, Paul Rudd plays a pretty basic version of himself. There is not much inspiring about what he does, but his meta-acting is enjoyable at a couple points.
Furthermore, Anaconda could have used a bit more style. In a film where the characters are trying to shoot an indie film, no small-budget tricks are ever used. The indie feel could’ve helped a bit and made it more fun. You wish they leaned into a more homemade vibe and used silly vfx as part of the joke. Even so, the film doesn’t overstay its welcome as the second half makes it meaner, setting up jokes in an effective manner and executing the majority of them well.
Anaconda hammers home a clear message about going for your dreams, even when everyone doubts you. The problem is that there is no strong tension or conflict that makes it hard for these characters to go after their dreams. Everything that would get in their way is just kind of brushed aside. Many of their small problems are turned into jokes and, to be fair, a good amount of them are funny. Even so, as presented, it feels a bit half-baked and half -fulfilled. The message about going after your dreams and the struggle and obstacles that get in the way with they are not detailed.
Anaconda is available in theatres on Thursday, December 25th, 2025.
