Joy Ride (2023)

Joy Ride (2023)

R

An exhilitaring no-holds barred sex comedy that’s daring in more ways than one

7.5

Movie

United States of America
English, Korean, Mandarin
Comedy
2023
ADELE LIM, FEMALE DIRECTOR
Alexander Hodge, Annie Mumolo, Ashley Park
95 min

TLDR

Seriously, this is the most fun I’ve had watching a movie in a good while (and yes, I’ve seen all the summer blockbusters).

What it's about

Audrey (Ashley Park), an adoptee who grew up with white parents, visits her home country China for the first time, but what starts out as a harmless business trip quickly descends into chaos as Audrey and her friends inadvertently get into some wacky and raunchy misadventures.

The take

True to its name, Joy Ride is a raucous delight that has everything you want out of a road trip comedy and more. There’s love, sex, adventure, and even music, but most of all there’s friendship, the interesting complexities of which are explored against the backdrop of race. There’s something meaningful keeping everything together at the core, and first-time director Adele Lim—helped by a strong script and cast—does an excellent job of holding it down. The film is also just plain funny. There are physical gags and of-the-moment jokes, plus a couple of insider quips made for and by the Asian community. But apart from the hilarity and tenderness, the film also delivers in the visual department: it looks gorgeous, not only because the characters are tourists who embark on a jet-setting adventure, but because of the inspired animation and vibrant editing. 

What stands out

Each scene in Joy Ride is more bonkers than the last, so it’s difficult to pick one that stands out. But even though the musical number is a strong contender, I’d have to pick the big reveal that happens midway through the film. Without spoiling anything, I’m happy to report that the plot twist here is an actual twist—an effectively surprising moment that reveals more layers the more you think about it. It’s not shocking for shock’s sake, nor is it a mere plot device with no actual bearing. Instead, there is a sense it was done with careful thought. It touches on something delicate, political even, which makes Joy Ride all the more impressive: it’s daring in more ways than one.

Active Streaming Deals

$50 Off DirecTV Stream

$74.99

$64.99

Active Streaming Deals

69% Off NordVPN + 3 months Free

$14.99

$4.99

Active Streaming Deals

50% Off Sling

$40

$20

Active Streaming Deals

49% Off ExpressVPN

$12.95

$6.67

Comments

Add a comment

What did you think? Who should watch it?

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

UP NEXT 

Booksmart (2019)

Two academic overachievers from high school set out to prove that they're a smart and fun for one last time.

9.0

The Half of It (2020)

An atmospheric romance that starts with “this is not a love story"

7.3

Dear Ex (2018)

A heart-wrenching tale of love and hate

7.4

Juror 8 (2019)

A fun and colorful feature about the eight jurors in South Korea's first jury trial

7.2

Luzzu (2021)

A poignant neorealist look at the moral compromises modern life demands

8.0

The Duke (2021)

The loveable Jim Broadbent stars in this irresistibly endearing underdog story

7.8

Last Call for Istanbul (2023)

A seemingly generic Turkish romance travel film, until it gets into its second half

7.0

Forgotten Love (2023)

The stunning third take of the classic Polish pre-war melodrama

7.7

True Spirit (2023)

An inspirational, though generic, cruise depicting the real-life adventure

6.0

Murina (2022)

A gripping slow burn of a coming-of-age tale set on the gorgeous Croatian coast

8.3

Curated by humans, not algorithms.

agmtw logo

© 2023 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved.