Cecil B. Demented

Watch Cecil B. Demented

"Demented Forever!"
  • R
  • 2000
  • 1 hr 27 min
  • 6.2  (16,543)
  • 57

Cecil B. Demented is a 2000 American comedy film directed by John Waters and starring Melanie Griffith, Stephen Dorff, and Alicia Witt. The movie is a dark satire on Hollywood and its treatment of independent filmmakers. The plot follows the exploits of an underground cinema group's anarchist director, Cecil B. Demented (Dorff), and his band of cinema terrorists as they kidnap an A-list movie star, Honey Whitlock (Griffith), and force her to star in their independent film.

The movie's opening sequence comprises clips of classic Hollywood movies spliced together with images of violence and anarchy. It sets the tone for the film, which is a rebellious and unconventional take on the world of movies. The film centers around Cecil B. Demented and his group of misfits who passionately believe that mainstream cinema is corrupt and devoid of any artistic merit. They aim to disrupt the world of Hollywood by creating their own independent films, which they believe truly represent the voice of the people.

Demented and his followers are an eccentric and motley crew of characters. Witt plays the role of Cherish, the loyal and somewhat naively enthusiastic member of the group. Griffith portrays the over-the-top and glamorous Honey Whitlock, a Hollywood movie star who is kidnapped by Demented and forced to act in his extreme and subversive film. Stephen Dorff, who is exceptionally convincing in his role as Cecil B. Demented, leads the gang of cinema terrorists.

In attempting to create their independent movie, Demented and his band of cinema terrorists carry out a series of anarchistic actions that are both terrifying and hilarious. They engage in guerilla-style tactics, which include filming themselves robbing a convenience store and staging a shooting in the middle of a crowded theater.

The film is intended to be a social commentary on the state of modern mainstream cinema. It portrays the movie industry as a bunch of sell-outs who cater to a wide audience and who prioritize earnings over creativity. To counter this, Demented and his group of cinema terrorists aim to create movies that are truly representative of the people by allowing them to participate in the film-making process.

The movie features some dark and twisted humor. It is a satirical look at the movie business and its seemingly nonsensical nature. There are plenty of nods to cult classics, and movie buffs will recognize the various homages throughout the film.

One of the film's most memorable scenes is a take on the classic "rescue the princess" trope. In this case, the danger to Honey Whitlock is not from an evil king or rogue knight, but instead from a group of independent filmmakers who want to force her to participate in their movie. However, Griffith's portrayal of Honey is not one of victimization. Instead, she embraces the role and becomes a willing participant in the making of the underground cinema group's radical movie.

Cecil B. Demented is a raucous and entertaining look at the world of independent cinema. The movie's cast hits all the right notes, with Dorff specifically delivering a standout performance in his role as the film's anarchistic director. The movie provides viewers with a fresh perspective on the cinematic industry, and its unconventional approach to film is sure to leave a lasting impression on those who watch it.

Cecil B. Demented is a 2000 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 57.

Cecil B. Demented
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Where to Watch Cecil B. Demented
Cecil B. Demented is available to watch free on Tubi TV and Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Showtime, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Cecil B. Demented for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2000
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 27 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.2  (16,543)
  • Metascore
    57
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