Published: 24th December 2025

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A spoiled Hollywood star hides her contempt behind a manufactured smile

Honey Whitlock (Melanie Griffith) is a famous actress about to celebrate her latest film, Some Kind of Happiness, a screwball romantic comedy headed to the big screen. The film’s premiere is being held at the historic Senator Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland. When Honey is not conducting interviews, she openly expresses her absolute hatred for Baltimore and longs to return to L.A. Honey is quite rude, selfish, and fake when she interacts with others for the sake of keeping up appearances. She hopes her fake charm will work in her favour upon the film’s release.

A red carpet premiere erupts into violent cinematic anarchy

However, Honey’s premiere and big night are about to take a completely different direction. Select staff at the cinema, along with Honey’s limo driver, are in fact armed with weapons and decide not only to cancel the film’s screening, but also to fire their guns throughout the cinema, cause explosions, and most importantly, kidnap Honey herself.  The group’s leader, responsible for both the mayhem and Honey’s abduction, is none other than Cecil B. Demented (Stephen Dorff), a man who claims power over those who punish bad cinema. He is an aspiring film director determined to make a movie titled Raving Beauty, which he believes will be a masterpiece unlike anything the world has ever seen. Honey, whether she likes it or not, is about to be forced into being the star of the film.  But as the filmmaking madness progresses, Honey begins to see the bigger picture. After all, this is a film being shot with real people and genuine terror. Perhaps Cecil is on to something huge. The question remains: will Cecil and his team of outlaws, along with Honey, be able to finish the picture?

John Waters delivers a razor sharp satire on modern cinema

Cecil B. Demented was written and directed by John Waters. For those unfamiliar, his past work as a writer and director includes Pink Flamingos (1972), Hairspray (1988), Cry-Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), and more.  The film’s genre is best described as comedy, packed with random one-liners and unexpected moments, not to mention plenty of film references and sharp jabs at the current state of modern cinema.

An anarchic cinephile manifesto fueled by passion and provocation

Well, I have to lay it out upfront: Cecil B. Demented is a loud, wild ride packed with random moments and is jam-packed with film references and sharp observations about cinema that, funny enough, are still relevant today. Are remakes and sequels hogging our screens? Is the food offered in cinemas overpriced and of poor quality?  Cecil’s passion for destroying mainstream cinema is immense. He wants to make a stand and be different in filmmaking. Sure, Cecil might not be going about it the right way, but as a movie lover, I couldn’t help but go on his journey, admire his passion for directing, and have my mind challenged along the way. My interest in seeing his vision come to life with Honey front and centre grew as the film progressed.  Surrounding Cecil and Honey is a mix of eccentric personalities, including a Satanist (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Honey’s driver, a costume designer, other actors, producers, and more, all working together to support Cecil.

A playful, trippy opening that sets the anarchic tone

The film’s opening, which features various cinematic signs filled with playful gags and references, along with the score alone, immediately sets the tone and mood for what viewers can expect. The musical number that opens the film features cool, syncopated beats, with layers of classy music over the top. It is highly trippy and adds a distinct touch of wackiness.

Strong performances and sharp satire collide with uneven humour

Actor Stephen Dorff brings a likable presence to the screen as Cecil, and many of his lines of dialogue are loud, fun, and at times delightfully random, such as when he explains to Honey that he and his crew have taken a vow of celibacy for celluloid until the film is completed.  The chemistry between Cecil and Honey is also appealing, especially as Honey gradually warms to Cecil’s vision and passion for filmmaking. Another element that oozes from behind the camera is the experience and perspective of the film’s writer and director, John Waters. Plenty of jabs, gags, and opinions about cinema clearly come from his soul, heart, and personal experiences, which work exceptionally well within the film’s comedic framework.  However, be warned: some gags are pushed way over the top and miss their mark. That said, humour is subjective and will vary from viewer to viewer. Personally, I found the film’s finale and climax to be a slight letdown.

A chaotic, fun-filled celebration of cinema with sharp wit and memorable performances

Overall, Cecil B. Demented is a loud, fun ride that celebrates cinema. At the same time, thanks to writer and director John Waters, his personal experiences, thoughts, and unique perspective are infused throughout the film, creating playful gags and humour rooted in the world of filmmaking and modern cinema. Actor Stephen Dorff brings a likable presence to the screen, delivering dialogue that is loud, random, and often hilarious. As the film progresses, the chemistry between Dorff and Melanie Griffith becomes increasingly enjoyable.  However, some gags are too over-the-top and don’t always land, and the film’s finale feels weaker, especially when compared to its strong introduction and opening. That said, as a movie lover, there is plenty of fun to be had here, particularly through the numerous references and nods to film and cinema culture.

Cecil B. Demented (2000) is now available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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