There’s something to be said about knowing your audience. Despite its many, many… many flaws, “Screamboat” is at least self-aware. For most of the runtime, anyway.
Screamboat follows a group of passengers on a late-night boat ride in New York City who struggle for survival when a seemingly harmless mouse transforms into a dangerous monster.
Cheese, Gore and a Killer Mouse
“Screamboat” is not a good movie. It’s also a lot of fun (at times) because it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Practical effects steal the show here, both in the look of Steamboat Willie and the gore on display. Using the bizarreness of the killer to its advantage, “Screamboat” pulls off a variety of fun kills. These effects aren’t always top-tier, but the effort is evident. It doesn’t try to hide a “cheesy” look – if anything, it leans into it from all angles.
Thornton Goes Full Toon
David Howard Thornton, best known as Art the Clown, plays the titular Steamboat Willie. His performance is a highlight, hitting over-the-top notes that often land with big laughs. He nails the character’s classic mannerisms and slapstick vibe, which got audible reactions from the audience at my screening.
Outside of Thornton’s antics, there isn’t much to spotlight. Allison Pittel and Jesse Posey fill the lead roles, and while they’re not bad, they aren’t given much to work with.
Too Many Passengers, Not Enough Story
“Screamboat” has more characters than it knows what to do with, tossing them in and out like it’s playing hot potato. No one gets real development – not even Pittel’s character, who is clearly meant to be the central figure. Her storyline ends up just as half-baked as the rest.
The film earns a few laughs throughout, but it stumbles hard in the final act. A flood of forced plot threads and a random hopeful message about NYC land awkwardly. Exploring the lore of Willie could’ve added depth, but it’s brushed aside. By the time the credits rolled, I was rolling my eyes.
“Screamboat” is better than expected, but that bar was low. Outside of David Howard Thornton, the rest of the film feels like filler. With too many characters and not enough substance, it ends up feeling hollow beneath its gimmicky surface.
Rating: 2 out of 5
