Screamboat Review (2025)

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Screamboat Review - A somewhat fun public domain horror film

Screamboat is a 2025 horror comedy film directed by Steven LaMorte, and the cast includes David Howard Thornton, Kailey Hyman, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Allison Pittel, Jeese Kove, Jarlath Conroy, Jared Johnston.

The “public domain horror” film craze is not going anywhere, is it? And for the most part, the films in this realm have been pretty terrible, and not in the so bad they're good/fun way, either.

They have mostly been very lazy cash grabs that are unintentionally terrible with no redeeming features, which makes them hard to even be fun even in a bad/trashy way.

So when I heard about Screamboat, which takes a killer version of Steamboat Willie, yes, that Mickey Mouse, and drops him on a Staten Island Ferry to go on a murderous rampage, I had little hope, even with David Howard Thornton (Art The Clown) starring in the film. (And no, it's not part of the Poohniverse)

But I’m going to be honest, despite all my skepticism, this film somehow made me... enjoy it. And I’m still trying to wrap my head around that.

The plot, in all its ridiculousness, is exactly what you’d expect, and it’s both dumb, and absurd, but somehow, it’s kind of entertaining.

In the film we have a group of unsuspecting ferry passengers who find themselves fighting for survival after a twisted version of Steamboat Willie is accidentally unleashed, and what follows is a bloody, gory mess of chaos, as Mickey goes full homicidal maniac and takes out everyone in sight.

Screamboat is a film that it knows exactly what it is, as it’s fully aware of its absurdity and doesn’t even try to be anything else, and this really helps the film work compared to previous public domain horror films, that try hard, but fail miserably. 

You need to embrace the madness and go all in with this one, and you have a film filled with practical effects and gore that feels so over-the-top, it becomes somewhat fun, and in that way, it reminded me of The Monkey.

I enjoyed David Howard Thornton's performance, and if you’re familiar with him as Art the Clown in the Terrifier franchise, (Terrifier 3 review), you know he’s got an incredible physical presence, and here, under layers of ridiculous fur and makeup, he gives a performance that’s surprisingly compelling. 

His physicality brings an unsettling energy to the role, and watching him wreak havoc on the ferry is oddly magnetic, and Thornton’s commitment to the part is impressive, as he takes a concept that sounds like a joke and somehow makes it feel... well, watchable.

I also quite enjoyed the humor in the film too, and the Disney references are done with such a knowing wink that it’s hard not to smile, with the film throwing in some fun, self-aware moments that I appreciated a lot. 

Still, where the movie really shines is in its chaotic moments. 

The energy, the gore, the pure absurdity, it all comes together in a way that feels like an old-school 80's cartoon on a psychotic sugar high, where logic goes out the window, and the movie just lets loose, trusting the audience to go along with it.

Screamboat shouldn’t work at all, as it’s a ridiculous concept, and on paper, it’s a mess, but somehow, it’s more than just a cheap, cash-grab slasher. 

It’s a film that knows exactly what it is and embraces it with open arms. Is it a masterpiece? Absolutely not. But is it a fun, gory, totally ridiculous ride? Yes, and I went in expecting a disaster, and left with a slight grin on my face,  as it all leans into its own chaos, never apologizing for how ridiculous it is.

And that’s all I can ask for with these kind of films, and that's a big win in my book.