Cindy, The T.V Is Leaking - 'Scary Movie 3' vs 'The Ring'

This blog post contains spoilers for 'Scary Movie 3' (2003) and 'The Ring' (2002)

The 'Scary Movie' franchise has divided opinions on comedy for over 20 years, beginning with the release of 'Scary Movie' way back in 2000 when we were first introduced to ditsy Cindy, the protagonist of the film, and also the following four sequels. While some people express scorn at their favourite horror films being mocked and portrayed in a silly way, some love the idea of adding a touch of comedy to lighten the mood around the seriousness of horror films and thrillers. This is especially apparent in the 'Scary Movie' franchise as almost every moment is silly or cringe-worthy, with critics either tearing it apart or deciding it's fun to watch when you're bored enough. 

While I wouldn't necessarily call 'Scary Movie 3' (2003) a remake of 'The Ring' (2002), the spoof film does quite a good job in emulating both the costume design and settings of the film, as well as some spooky moments that rival even the original. While in the film there are many productions parodied such as '8 Mile' (2002), 'Signs' (2002), and 'The Others' (2001), the main parody of the film is 'The Ring' as it follows almost an identical main storyline. 

The main comparison to be made between these two films is the costume design of the antagonist Samara, who looks perhaps even creepier in the parody film due to how misplaced the costume design seems amongst the comedy. While Samara in 'The Ring' is unsettling, it is the unexpectedness of 'Scary Movie' Samara that is jarring to viewers. While she does ridiculous things like fight Brenda after emerging from a leaky television and shake several litres of well water from her ears, it is hard to ignore how much more chilling the famous 'well climbing' scene is in 'Scary Movie' than 'The Ring'. Her movements are much more disjointed and quick than the original, and it is a shocking scene amongst the silliness of the rest of the movie. 

It is not surprising that a film titled 'Scary Movie' would have a few scary scenes, however with a well-established reputation as being a comedy, it can be surprising to viewers to feel in any way uneasy during viewing. This is primarily due to the well executed portrayal of Samara (maybe even too well for this sort of film), but also the eerie way in which certain scenes are almost carbon copies of the original film but with small, funny details changed. Are these details enough for certain scenes to be considered comedy and not horror? It's hard to say, as the over-the-top acting and dialogue help cut through any serious atmospheres created. 

While 'Scary Movie 3' parodies 'The Ring' from 2002, it is worth noting that 'The Ring' is actually a remake in itself of a Japanese horror film that was released in 1988. The decision to parody the remake instead of the true original stems from the 'Scary Movie' producers wanting to cash in on very recently released films, this is a tactic used to maximise on the amount of viewers likely to have seen the originals. Some films parodied were even released in the same year as the 'Scary Movie' releases, meaning even the most subtle of differences or gags are understood by the viewers. 

So, while Samara in 'Scary Movie 3' was visually just as chilling as Samara in 'The Ring' and that well scene was even more creepy than the original, the actual horror classic itself still wins this round rather than the slapstick parody. Two very different films, one very creepy girl climbing out of your T.V. 

Aren't we lucky nobody watches VHS tapes anymore.