Internet Janitor
As anyone who has read my reviews, all three of you might note that I have bizarre tastes. Screamboat is one of them. It’s in the same vein as the Blood & Honey (aka killer Winnie the Pooh) vein of films but with a bigger budget. On January 1st, 2024 the Disney classic “Steamboat Willie” became public domain. Since then we’ve numerous horror films leap onto the property. Most are unwatchable, even by myself, but I did find a bit of trashy glee in Screamboat.
Wish crushed dreams young Selena (played by Allison Pittel from The Chronicles of Bullet Head: Blacks & UFOs) is leaving New York. She takes the infamous Staten Island Ferry to be on her way, just barely making the last sailing before fog shuts things down. She meets a plucky young hero in training Mike (played by Tyler Posey from Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R) as the journey begins. There’s even a collection of trashy white Karen birthday party for our killer to slaughter. Unbeknownst to the passengers, Steamboat Willie (played by the legendary David Howard Thornton from Terrifier) lurks below deck.
While a film taking place in modern times in the United States is terrifying enough it makes good use of the location. Filmed on an actual, saved old Staten Island Ferry it looks far better than the nursery rhyme, cartoon character slasher films of late. Hell, I swear the music when they set out on the boat is purposely like The Dark Knight.
Look. Take the film for what it is. You already know if you want to see something like this so don’t act surprised when it’s trash. I did like the costume for Steamboat Willie and Thorton Smith is wonderful as always. It starts out fairly strong and then clearly has to be strung along to meet requirements. The kills are more gruesome and take advantage of the bigger budget with something creative.
It’s an excuse for stupidity and if you have to see one slasher version of Mickey Mouse this year, see this one. Just don’t expect logic (like no one teaming up on a tiny mouse person) or characters who do things like real people, or a rational world (like how a major ferry could go that long with zero intervention) and you’ll be fine.