Anaconda Early Reactions Are In — Social Media Is Hissing
Anaconda just slithered out of its premiere, and social feeds are hissing with hot takes. Early buzz touts sharp, self-aware gags and scene-stealing turns, while some say the humor coils a little too tightly—either way, this meta comedy has bite.
The holidays are getting a giant snake. Not the 1997 one you remember, but a very self-aware, fourth-wall-poking comedy called 'Anaconda' that just premiered and hits theaters December 25. Early chatter is wildly split: some folks are calling it the funniest thing all year, others say the meta gag wears thin fast.
The pitch
The movie follows two friends determined to remake the 1997 creature feature 'Anaconda' who then, because the universe has a sense of humor, run into an actual massive, very hungry serpent. It leans hard into meta jokes and movie-nerd winks.
Who is in this thing
Jack Black ('School of Rock') and Paul Rudd ('Ant-Man') headline, joined by Thandiwe Newton ('Westworld'), Daniela Melchior ('The Suicide Squad'), Steve Zahn ('Joy Ride'), Selton Mello ('I'm Still Here'), and Ione Skye ('Zodiac').
The early buzz
Reactions from the first screenings hit social over the last couple of days, and the range is... dramatic. One of the takes that jumped out came from JoBlo critic Chris Bumbray, who saw it and was not impressed:
"Really didn't care for Anaconda. It's meta but the jokes fall FLAT. You think that many talented people at least some of the jokes would land but alas."
- Chris Bumbray (JoBlo), Dec 18: Firm thumbs down. He calls the movie meta but says the humor does not land, which is extra frustrating given the cast.
- @MOVIEDEATHBLOWS, Dec 18: The polar opposite. They say it is one of the funniest movies they have seen in ages, a mash-up of 'Be Kind Rewind', 'Strange Wilderness', and the original 'Anaconda', powered by gleeful chaos. They also single out a late-movie sequence as an all-timer and tell people to sprint to the theater next week.
- Ashlee Pradella, Dec 17: Declares comedies might be back. Calls it one of the year’s funniest, raves about Black and Rudd’s chemistry, and says the movie is campy, ridiculous, and surprisingly sweet.
- Hunter Bolding (The Hashtag Show), Dec 18: Biggest surprise of the year for him. Says it is gut-busting, packed with throwbacks and Easter eggs from the 'Anaconda' franchise, and has more heart than expected. Also notes it is the hardest he has laughed in a theater in a while.
- The Holo Files, Dec 18: Generally positive but with caveats. They think the film does not fully capitalize on its clever premise, yet it still delivers with self-referential humor, goofy set pieces, and some fun twists. They also say Steve Zahn walks off with scenes even alongside Black and Rudd.
- Taylor Gonzales (50shadesoftayyy), Dec 18: Calls it flat-out fun. Loves the meta jokes and the stacked cast, says it feels like the kind of studio comedy we used to get more often, and praises its quick, tight runtime with brisk twists and turns.
- Simon Thompson (THR/Variety/IndieWire), Dec 18: Over the moon. Says it is a hilarious action-adventure with a wacky high concept that actually works, dubbing it the holiday season’s popcorn pick. He adds that Black and Rudd thrive on a sharp script.
The takeaway
If you are into wink-at-the-camera comedy and want to see Black and Rudd go for it, the raves say you are in for a good time. If meta humor makes your eye twitch, Bumbray’s reaction is a red flag. Either way, this thing is swinging for the fences, it apparently stuffs in franchise Easter eggs for the snake-heads, and it is not dragging its feet on runtime. 'Anaconda' slithers into theaters December 25.