A Mixed Bag of College Comedy on Netflix

Image Credit: Netflix

From producers Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy (happy gilmore 2, hubby halloween), roommate Following the release of 2 studio comedies in 2025, the latest Happy Madison production for Netflix is: somewhat pregnant With Amy Schumer and the highly anticipated Sandler sequel happy gilmore 2. The film is directed by rising Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levac (i like movies), who has another film being released this spring in Mile End Kicks – a project in which he was named a “director to watch” Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Written by current “Saturday Night Live” writers Jimmy Fowley and Sarah Jane O’Sullivan (the team who wrote the famous “Domingo” sketch), the story follows incoming college freshman Devon (You’re not invited to my bat mitzvah standout Sadie Sandler) as she tries to leave behind her high school years filled with failed attempts at friendship and social connection and form new relationships; Starting with her new roommate, the beautiful embodiment of “zero f-cks given” Chelsea (Heretic’s Chloe East).

Devon and Chelsea initially hit it off after the honeymoon of college orientation and initial move-in, their coexistence slowly turns from blossoming friends to a war of passive aggression. Can these two save their friendship and make things work before the roommate goes full blown? Or will it be death by 1000 cuts?

Beyond Sandler and East, the film features an impressive list of comedic talent, like many of the Happy Madison films before it. Stars like Natasha Lyonne (poker face) and Nick Kroll (league, big mouth) Devon’s parents and SNL cast members Sarah Sherman and Martin Herlihy make some of the more notable appearances in the film, playing on-campus roles, while Janeane Garofalo, Carol Kane, and frequent Adam Sandler collaborator Steve Buscemi play small supporting roles.

Whereas roommate At its center is a different Sandler than Adam and fresh creative talent behind the camera and on the page, yet the film manages to fall victim to the same story that so many Happy Madison/Netflix productions seem to fall into: stars all over the place, a lack of plot cohesion/noteworthy characters, and just not enough fun to make up for it. Roommates Quirky couple Devon and Chelsea struggle to find meaning in their original relationship; Two people bond over their struggles to bond with others who manage to tear apart and destroy each other without taking anything away.

While many comedies can get away with a thin script and a few contrived plot devices, it’s hard to escape the lack of chemistry between its lead characters and the lack of strong jokes, situational or otherwise. roommate‘The biggest problem is that the best jokes and characters are written on the margins. While abrasive and unlike Devon, Chelsea is not designed to be a great source of humor or charm. I laughed several times in the first 5 minutes, like the reaction of the cafeteria lady to being made fun of in the closing speech or the public fight of the first set of roommates, who were introduced to us by the “English teacher” brat (so lovingly referred to), Ivy Walk, and rising young actress Storm Reid.Excitement, the last of us). But despite the mayhem with the leading ladies over the next hour, I only laughed twice at a joke about a pregnant woman who gets a shot forgetting she was pregnant and Martin Herlihy (“Please Do Not Destroy”) dressed as Funyun Bag reading a brilliant line saying “There was nothing Funyun about that conversation”. With comedy, your mileage may vary on the effectiveness of the humor, but the sheer lack of effort makes it unappealing for the genre today.

Note: All respect to Nick Kroll for trying to create something from nothing several times in this movie.

One thing I hope the film’s struggles don’t lead to is a referendum on lead role Sadie Sandler. A co-MVP in my review You’re not invited to my bat mitzvah and a serviceable small portion jay kelly As the tennis-playing daughter of her real-life father, Sadie continues to get better with age and experience. To me, this role doesn’t play up his best abilities – strong comedic timing and acerbic wit – and doesn’t establish him well enough on the page to give him anything worth remembering. Although I might be skeptical about whether she could take on more lead roles as her career develops, I wouldn’t take this film as solely evidence of that.

Aside from a few quality jokes and a flawed attempt to show the complex onboarding of college roommate relationships (especially between young women), Roommates doesn’t make the grade. With the two central characters not providing enough humor and a wildly unearned left turn at the end that has no beneficial value, the film doesn’t provide the basics to get through a 100-minute studio comedy without considering pulling the plug. A lot of talent is wasted on a script lacking personality and following a dull architecture major with her rich, chaotic (but not in a fun way) roommate who only makes her happy when she provides basic human decency. A sarcastic shoutout to the creators for taking an aggressive stance against “Napo Babies” while featuring a cast full of children featuring established Hollywood talent. Another happy Madison/Netflix miss.

Watch roommate if you want

You’re not invited to my bat mitzvah
i like movies
book smart
worst roommate ever

Roommates MVP

Mitch Herlihy as George

There’s slim pickings, but although he may not have had many scenes, Mitch Herlihy knew the job: be an awkward loser and have some fun.

Whether it’s the aforementioned funun line (complete with costume), taking a shot from a Frisbee (and throwing it at someone’s head), or her fabulous T-shirt bikini on Spring Break, Herlihy’s George has stolen many a scene in a comedy that was in desperate need of jokes.

Some laughs may come from seasoned funny talents, but there isn’t enough script, chemistry or purpose to make Roommates worth watching.