Directed By Jonah Hill
Written By: Jonah Hill and Ezra Woods
Cinematography: Benoit Debie
Editor: Nick Houy and Nicholas Ramirez
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jonah Hill, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Susan Lucci, Martin Scorsese, Ivy Wolk, David Spade, Kaia Gerber, Drew Barrymore
Follows Hollywood star Reef as he is forced to confront his problems and atone for his past after being threatened by a bizarre video footage from his past.
Let me start off by saying that this is one of the worst movies I have seen that has been released in 2026 which is surprise and consider considering the level of talent behind it
It’s not often a film lives up to its title so thoroughly.
I will admit I am a fan of Jonah Hills. He doesn’t bother me as an actor and as a director, he has proven to be talented, surprisingly reaching upwards and showing range, aspiring when everybody seems to usually write them off one note. As his debut directorial MID90s was actually a really good film better than most expected one wishes this misfire was his debut so that with mid 90s he would be shown to be getting better instead of the reverse.
This film feels oddly personal or at least based on something he has experienced as it is about a star, searching for meaning and trying to explore what an apology means as we all know Jonah Hill has heard his problems, publicly mentally and emotionally and it feels like he’s trying to explore those feelings or given an explanation with this film.
So that this Feels like a commentary for him on cancel culture in the way it affects those who are victims of it or could be.
The problem is that this film is so lifeless, dill and even at under 90 minutes such torture to sit through. It still feels too long.
First of all, Jonah Hill gives himself a supporting role where it seems like he’s trying to out act his lead Keanu Reeves, and get all the attention which does work because there’s not much to any of the material here so if he’s loud brash in fact, he’s the only one who brings life into the film and the script other than Martin Scorsese playing someone from Keanu Reeves past
It feels like the script had a bunch of ideas that may be needed to be sharpened and explored as sometimes the film does come across at a good point or a good idea but the way it’s delivered so badly.
The direction is lackluster as the film never seems to have any pacing nor do individual seeds. They just seem to lay there and play their without any momentum so they keep coming across flat even when they’re supposed to be hilarious. As the film seeks to have its visuals more closeted by being indoors, but not have a rich, visual, palette and rather than any action it’s more conversational with insights that seem to lay there, but don’t offer too much for the audience except maybe some understanding of character, but this is supposed to be a comedy and it seems to want to be a conversational drama more at times full of Enlightenment That’s just not working here.
Even the locations and filming all seem to be way too lit and look un appealing as everything almost seems like it’s artificial rather than natural and you’re filming in California, which makes the film look small and ugly almost like you wonder if half this film fell in the front of a green screen and filled in later. Especially when having a cinematographer like Benoit Debie. Who is a master when it comes to raw images and can still
Make them breathtaking.
Keanu Reeves seems half the time embarrassed or uncomfortable in this film and even if it was for a character, we never get to see him actually have fun or be at peace as this is supposed to be a comedy and he’s playing more like a hard bitten drama even when we do see a glimpse of his past where he supposed to be this drug addicted party guy he gives the same delivery.
Also, the big tape that is supposed to be at the heart of the storm that they’re hunting down because it could prove to wreck his career embarrassing. Once we actually see what’s on it. It’s pretty time compared to what it could be or what maybe us in the audience might believe if anything it just shows a vulnerability that might actually discussed a few, but actually endeared him even more.
There are a bunch of celebrities in this movie playing small, smaller roles who just seemed like they’re there, waiting around to get their moment in the sun, and then move on as most of them are only there for a senior or two
Nor do I understand, Cameron Diaz or Matt boomers characters involvement in all this as Reeves best friends. His character already has an assistant, and these two are his best friends. I don’t know if they’re his entourage because neither one of these two seems to have jobs and they’re all about positivity and giving support, but what do they do with most of their day? when he’s actually out there doing things? they seem to be here more to maybe give commentary, as seemingly his only friends and they are there to give positivity, but they never have dramatic scenes of their own or judgment.
Not to mention while one loves Cameron Diaz as an actress. Her return to the big screen as of late has been in bad to lackluster films. Here reuniting with Keanu Reeves after starring in the disappointing 1996 crime thriller romantic comedy film STEALING MINNESOTA. Which I for one had great hopes for and had great ideas and characters but no story or anything new or interesting to bring to the table. So here together another disappointment.
Also wonder if it was intentional that his PR team of image makers to help him through what might be an upcoming tragedy are all played by minorities.
Also strange seeing Joey Lawrence as a kid performing on THE TONIGHT SHOW. Being a Stand-in for Keanu Reeves character as a kid.
In the end, other than a spare to turn by Martin Scorsese and Jonah Hill’s Way overacting it seems to try and make a memorable character of himself in a film based on himself, but not playing himself. This film seems very disposable and like a bunch of Apple plus movies seems a reason to get a bunch of big name actors together but not have the material to support them or entertain the audience
This even comes across more disappointing than the usual streaming offerings which it seems perfect for this is not something I could imagine being that great on the big screen.
It’s hard to understand how a film that has so many people I actually enjoy involved came out so terrible.
Grade: F
