Remember the glory days of the stoner comedy? From the hazy adventures of Cheech and Chong to the late-night munchies quests of Harold & Kumar, the genre has been a staple of dumb, delightful fun. But lately, it's been a bit quiet on that front. Enter Pizza Movie, a new film from writer-directors Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney (the duo BriTANicK) that aims to reignite the genre with a hilariously simple premise and a star-studded cast led by Gaten Matarazzo.
A Quest for Pizza Turns Into a Psychedelic Nightmare
The plot is deceptively straightforward. College roommates Montgomery (Sean Giambrone) and Jack (Gaten Matarazzo) are having a rough night. After being bullied yet again, they discover a mysterious, decade-old drug that falls from their ceiling. In a moment of poor judgment, they take it, expecting a mild buzz. Instead, they're launched into a terrifying, multi-phase trip with one clear objective: get down two flights of stairs to retrieve their delivered pizza before the drug's final, horrifying stage—involving a chainsaw and their worst nightmares—kicks in.
Joined by their former friend Lizzy (Lulu Wilson), the trio must navigate a dormitory that has become a surreal obstacle course. The drug, designed by the eccentric Frankie (Sarah Sherman), subjects them to phases like body-swapping, compulsive truth-telling, and a rule where cursing causes heads to literally explode. All while avoiding militant resident advisors who want to banish them to a nightmarish dorm called Gralk Hall.
Matarazzo and Giambrone Shine in Adult Roles
For Gaten Matarazzo, this marks a notable post-Stranger Things move into more overtly comedic, adult territory. He fully embraces the absurdity as Jack, a guy the entire campus seems to hate, delivering a performance that's both goofy and grounded. Sean Giambrone, stepping away from his long-running role on The Goldbergs, is perfectly cast as the shy, lovestruck Montgomery, proving his comedic chops extend far beyond family sitcoms. Lulu Wilson rounds out the core trio with charm, playing a character caught between old loyalties and new social pressures.
The film is packed with fantastic supporting turns and cameos. Marcus Scribner is hilariously vile as the bully who loves flatulent intimidation, while a scene-stealing Caleb Hearon plays an older student desperately trying to fit in with the militant RAs. In a particularly weird and wonderful bit, Daniel Radcliffe provides the voice for Montgomery's pet butterfly.
Ambitious Filmmaking on a Simple Premise
Directors Kocher and McElhaney perform a minor miracle, stretching the "walk down two flights of stairs" concept into a full, 90-minute feature that never feels stretched too thin. Each phase of the drug has its own distinct visual style and comic rhythm, from bombastic head explosions to more character-driven flashback sequences. It's a testament to creative filmmaking that finds grandeur in limitation, much like the clever, contained storytelling seen in gems like American Vandal.
The film works because, beneath the drug-fueled chaos, it's a solid character piece. We learn about the trio's friendships, insecurities, and histories as they're forced to confront various truths—both literal and metaphorical. It's a throwback that feels fresh, honoring the repetitive, joke-filled rewatchability of classics like Jay and Silent Bob while carving its own path.
A Welcome Return to Ridiculous Fun
Pizza Movie successfully argues that there's still plenty of life in the stoner comedy. It's a film that understands the assignment: be silly, be inventive, and let your talented cast run wild with a bizarre concept. While the central joke does start to wane near the conclusion, the film wisely clocks out before overstaying its welcome.
For fans of absurdist humor and clever comedies that do a lot with a little, this is a must-watch. It proves that sometimes, the best stories aren't about saving the world—they're about surviving a trip to the lobby for a slice of pepperoni. In an era of overly serious blockbusters, Pizza Movie is a deliciously dumb breath of fresh air, joining the ranks of unique comedies like The Last Man on Earth that aren't afraid to get weird.
