Anaconda (2025) is a spiritual sequel to the gloriously cheesy 1997 original, taking everything fans loved about that film and cranking it up in all the right ways. The titular snake is bigger, meaner, and more intimidating, while the humour lands harder and feels far more relatable. With a cast that includes Jack Black, Paul Rudd, and Steve Zahn, laughs are expected—but the film surprises by becoming more than just a comedy. At its core, it’s a buddy movie with genuine heart.
The chemistry between the main characters feels authentic, and even during the most intense and genuinely scary moments, it’s the group’s camaraderie that drives the film. That sense of friendship gives the movie its emotional backbone.
At times, though, that focus works against it. There are moments when sheer terror should take precedence, yet the characters pause for tender, heartfelt exchanges that feel slightly misplaced given the immediate danger.
Even so, the film delivers plenty of fan service, including smart callbacks to the original and a few crowd-pleasing surprises that drew audible reactions. The jokes come fast, the characters are engaging, and the scares are sharp and visceral. Anaconda (2025) easily stands as the strongest entry in the franchise—and above all, it’s an undeniably fun ride.
