David Howard Thornton delivers a new kind of Art in Screamboat, a horror movie take on Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie. It’s hot trash (but the fun kind), with plenty of Terrifier-esque kills, a boatload of blood, and more meta jokes than a Rick & Morty marathon.
For the uninitiated, Steamboat Willie is a black-and-white cartoon that introduced the Mickey Mouse for the first time. It first premiered back in 1928, and in 2024, this iteration of the character entered the public domain.
But Screamboat isn’t just about turning Steamboat Willie into a slasher villain; it’s part of a long tradition of horror exploiting innocence for terror and comedy. Think about it: we’ve seen demonic dolls in Chucky, Winnie the Pooh wield a sledgehammer in Blood and Honey, and killer clowns have been dominating the genre for decades.
Part of the thrill is the sense of transgression – seeing what we were once told was safe become dangerous. Screamboat goes all-in on this, while holding a middle finger up to corporate control over nostalgia.
What is Screamboat about?
A group of New Yorkers head onto the late night ferry to Staten Island. But what’s meant to be a short trip home turns into a hellish nightmare when a mischievous (and maniacal) mouse sets off on a blood-thirsty rampage.
Director Steven LaMorte’s choice of setting is perfect, with the foggy darkness of the water, the looming NYC skyline, and eclectic (to put it mildly) mix of passengers making for the perfect horror-comedy playground.
It also paves the way for an endless roster of puns. In the opening sequence, we’re introduced to a gaggle of drunk women who are our Disney Princesses for the evening: Cindi (Cinderella), Ariana (Ariel), Jazzy (Jasmine), Rory (Aurora), and Bella (Belle).
There’s plenty of spoken references too, from “we’re all mad here” to “it is a small world after all”. They’re easy jabs but fun nonetheless (just try not to play a drinking game to every Disney nod or you’ll be overboard before the first kill).
Terrifier icon carries out more creative kills
The kills are one of two main events, and they deliver. While not quite as gruesome as Terrifier, they come close – gory, creative, and with a DIY charm that leans into practical effects.
The new horror movie embraces its low-budget roots, with intentionally jarring shifts between puppetry and CGI that only add to the absurdity. Seeing a fully-grown man fighting a toy never gets old (replace Chucky with a demonic mouse and you get the picture). It’s all part of Screamboat’s chaotic, self-aware fun.
As for the second main event, you guessed it: Thornton as Mickey… sorry, Willie. Firstly, the creature design is on point; menacing and nothing like the OG, a smart move to avoid being slapped with a lawsuit.
But it’s Thornton who really brings him to life. With three Terrifier movies under his belt, he’s a seasoned mime artist at this point. His talent for physical comedy carries Screamboat, proving he’s one of the few actors in modern cinema who genuinely doesn’t need dialogue to lead a film.
Less horror, more comedy
Signature EntertainmentEqually smart is a segment animated in the classic Steamboat Willie style to deliver some lore, paying homage to the source material while also poking fun at its origins.
Speaking of which, there’s no denying how self-aware it is, something LaMorte and co-scribe Matthew Garcia-Dunn aren’t afraid to address. One character even declares in dismay, “Everything gets recycled over and over to save money.”
For all its blood and laughs, Screamboat isn’t particularly scary. That’s not necessarily a flaw – it’s more comedy than horror – but it does mean it lacks the intensity that makes other slashers stand out.
The story is, for the most part, predictable, and while it’s a blast in the moment, it doesn’t do quite enough to etch itself into cult classic status. But that’s seemingly not what it’s here to do.
What Screamboat lacks in depth, it more than makes up for in chaotic fun, proving even hot trash can be recycled into something worthwhile.
Dexerto Review Score: 3/5 – Good
Does Screamboat break new ground in the horror genre? No. Is it fun? Absolutely. It’s a silly, self-aware bloodbath that revels in turning nostalgia into carnage, transforming a magical kingdom into a hellish nightmare.
Go for the kills, stay for David Howard Thornton as a very naughty little mouse.
Screamboat drops in cinemas on April 2, 2025. Until then, check out the scariest horrors based on true stories, every Stephen King movie coming out soon, and what we know about Terrifier 4.
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