When two workers at the bottom of a ferry boat open a mysterious hatch, they unleash something tiny, horrifying, and mischievous—a mouse called Steamboat Willie. The fate of the two workers is grim and bloody. After the film’s opening, we are introduced to Selena (Allison Pittel), who is boarding a large ferry headed back to the city. The ferry is filled with many passengers and crew members. As Selena boards, she has a brief conversation with a worker named Pete (Jesse Posey). They quickly establish a connection, and it becomes clear that Selena is looking for a fresh start. Pete kindly advises her on where to sit, as she seeks some solitude.
Outside, a heavy fog blankets the river, prompting the ferry captain to consider cancelling the travel schedule. However, the captain insists everything will be fine and proceeds slowly to avoid potential issues. Yet, there is a more significant threat than the fog looming over the ferry and the river. The same murderous mouse from the movie’s opening lurks on this ferry, intent on picking off the passengers individually. This ferry has transformed into the ultimate ‘Screamboat’. The question remains: will anyone survive to tell the tale?
Screamboat is a horror-comedy film, with a fitting title. For those familiar with Disney history, the title and concept draw inspiration from the famous Disney short film, Steamboat Willie. The film was co-written and directed by Steven LaMorte, who has also worked on projects such as The Mean One (2022) and Never Leave Alive (2017). Interestingly, this is Steven’s second time collaborating with the lead actor, David Howard Thornton, who portrayed another costumed villain in The Mean One.
The film playfully mocks the iconic Disney animation, providing fans with numerous Easter eggs, references, and jokes about other Disney properties, all intended for comedic effect. During my first viewing, it became clear that the film doesn’t take itself seriously, which I appreciated. Screamboat knows precisely what it is and embraces its playful and outrageous plot. If you’re looking for a film brimming with kills and violence, Screamboat has got you covered; it features many gruesome scenes, some hilariously surprising and unexpected.
It’s no surprise that David Howard Thornton again excels in portraying a menacing villain. The costume design for the killer mouse is impressive, particularly his headwear and make-up. Much like his performance in the Terrifier franchise, Thornton delivers his role without any dialogue, compensating for this lack with a range of expressive facial expressions and amusing sounds. When it comes to the other performances, though, I have to say it isn’t good. The lines of dialogue often carry a campy vibe, and characters frequently appear emotionless, even when faced with tragic circumstances or witnessing a horrible death. The strong campy elements; however, worked well as the film knew what it was. It likely wouldn’t have been as effective if the film had taken on a more serious tone. The same applies to the film’s visuals, utilising several double exposures to create the illusion that the killer mouse is small. This effect isn’t convincing, but it fits the film’s fun tone and reminds me of the classic Disney movies I grew up with. Does the mouse always appear in the correct size and aspect ratio? It didn’t matter to me, but opinions on that aspect may vary.
Overall, I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but I feel this is the best campy Disney horror film to date. Don’t get me wrong; it’s highly campy, with corny acting and jaw-dropping dialogue. However, the film works well because it fully embraces its campiness and ridiculousness. Screamboat is quite violent, featuring a high kill count bound to please horror buffs. It’s no surprise that David Howard Thornton delivers an outstanding performance again, introducing a new type of fun, murderous character to the big screen. The double exposures are unrealistic, but again, are extremely fun for the film’s imagination, paying tribute to old Disney films. Disney fans will laugh or cringe at the numerous puns and references sprinkled throughout. While many will likely label this a terrible film, I can’t deny that it had me bursting out in laughter on multiple occasions. To the haters, I say, “let it go.”
Screamboat (2025) is now available on digital and will be on DVD on May 14th in Australia!
Published: 5th May 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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