Scary Movie Sequel Triggers Backlash After Joke About Gender Pronouns In New Trailer

After the trailer for Scary Movie 6 was released earlier this week, some viewers were surprised to see the film include a joke about modern gender pronouns.

The preview begins with a tense moment on a crowded New York City subway train. In the scene, a woman suddenly gets attacked by Ghostface, the well-known masked killer from the Scream franchise.

As panic spreads through the subway car, one passenger shouts out in alarm, "He stabbed her!". In the middle of the chaos, the victim interrupts the shout and sharply corrects the person by replying, "Not HER! My pronouns are they/them. He stabbed THEM!".

The short moment in the trailer quickly caused debate online. Some viewers criticized the joke and described it as "transphobic", while others argued that the franchise has always relied on offensive or shocking humor.

One commenter wrote online: "I'm not offended by Scary Movie 6 having a 'my pronouns are they/them' joke, I'm offended that they didn't do something new or outrageous with it,"

They continued by adding another criticism of the joke, writing: "Like man. I know you're gonna be transphobic. You're Scary Movie. But you at least have to be funnier than Ben Shapiro."

Another viewer also weighed in on the discussion and wrote: "This pronoun thing is about 10 years too late and sounds like a boomer MAGA grumble."

A third person shared a similar opinion and commented: "They're actively trying to be offensive, when the reality is that type of comedy is extremely dated."

At the same time, some viewers pushed back against the criticism directed at the trailer and defended the joke.

One person responded to the complaints by writing: "I love how all the trans people are pretending they're NOT triggered by it. Clearly you are!"

Another viewer also joined the conversation and said: "Maybe I'm that one friend who isn't woke enough but the Scary Movie 6 trailer was funny as f**k!"

The upcoming film is scheduled to arrive in theaters in June, marking the first new installment in the series in more than ten years.

The last movie, Scary Movie 5, was released back in 2013 and stood out for one major reason. It was the first entry in the franchise that did not feature longtime leads Anna Faris and Regina Hall.

The fifth movie was widely criticized by reviewers when it came out. It also earned less money than the earlier films, making it the lowest-grossing entry in the franchise’s history.

Even so, the Scary Movie franchise still holds a place in early-2000s pop culture. The original films became known for their mix of horror parody and over-the-top jokes that often pushed boundaries.

Because of that reputation, many fans have been curious to see whether the next movie can bring back the same chaotic humor that made the earlier entries popular.

The return of several familiar faces has raised hopes among viewers that the new installment might capture the tone that audiences remember from the first films.

The sixth movie will bring back both Anna Faris and Regina Hall, along with the Wayans brothers who helped shape the original films.

Faris previously explained in an interview with People in 2024 that she would only return to the franchise under certain conditions. She said she wanted the chance to work with Hall again and joked that the paycheck would also need to be right.

"I would love to work with Regina again. I just love her so much," she said at the time.

"We would make each other giggle all day long. Regina Hall would be my answer. And money. But mostly all Regina!"

The upcoming movie will parody several recent horror hits. Among the films expected to be spoofed are Terrifier, M3gan, Get Out, Longlegs, and Smile.

The new release also arrives shortly after the sad passing of former Scary Movie cast member Jayne Trcka.

The retired actress and bodybuilder died at the age of 62. According to TMZ, the cause of death was "hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by left femoral fracture".

The report also stated that "Chronic alcohol use was a contributing factor" to the demise of Trcka, who once boxed and wrestled under the name Kasie Cavanaugh.

Trcka made her film debut in 2000 when she played gym teacher Miss Mann in the original Scary Movie. The movie became a major success, earning about $278 million at the global box office and launching a franchise that went on to produce five sequels.