A Stoner Comedy That Actually Has Heart

Read Time:5 Minute, 38 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Pizza Movie
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Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2026
Runtime: 1h 32m
Director(s): Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney
Writer(s): Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney
Cast: Gaten Matarazzo, Sean Giambrone, Lulu Wilson, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Marcus Scribner, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman
Where to Watch: premieres April 3, 2026, on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US, and on Disney+ internationally

RAVING REVIEW: PIZZA MOVIE never pretends to be smarter than it is, and that ends up being the best thing about it. Built on a premise so ridiculous it almost sounds like a parody of college comedies, the film sets out on a basic mission. It spins into a chaotic night of hallucinations, misunderstandings, and absurd encounters. What could have easily collapsed under the weight of its own nonsense instead turns into a surprisingly effective comedy that understands exactly how far it can push its premise without losing the audience.

The story follows a shy college student who would clearly prefer to stay invisible and his reckless roommate, who thrives on bad ideas. Their goal is simple enough; they just want to grab a pizza. But after a strange experimental drug enters the equation, the night spirals into a bizarre journey. The film treats its premise like a playground rather than something that needs a detailed explanation. The comedy thrives on escalation, constantly finding new ways to push its characters into situations that are either wildly uncomfortable or completely fantastical.

At the center of the film is Gaten Matarazzo, who continues to prove that he has strong instincts for comedy. His character spends much of the film reacting to the insanity happening around him, but those reactions become a major part of what makes the humor work. Instead of leaning into over-the-top energy, he plays the role with a kind of sincerity that grounds the film’s most ridiculous moments. Watching someone try to maintain a sense of normalcy while the world around them becomes increasingly unhinged is one of the oldest tricks in comedy, and it still works here.

Sean Giambrone plays the reckless roommate who drags the story forward with a mix of confidence and complete lack of judgment. The dynamic between these two characters becomes the film’s final piece to the puzzle, even as the narrative drifts through weird detours. Giambrone gives the character just enough charm to keep him from becoming unbearable. The character constantly makes terrible decisions, but the performance sells the idea that this person genuinely believes each one is brilliant.

The supporting cast plays a huge role in maintaining the film’s momentum. Lulu Wilson brings an energetic presence to the chaos, stepping into scenes with a confidence that often redirects the story in unexpected directions. Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Marcus Scribner also make strong impressions, each contributing to the film’s rotating gallery of encounters that pop up throughout the night. The film treats its supporting characters almost like obstacles, each one briefly hijacking the story before sending the main characters spiraling into the next scenario.

Writers/directors Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney, who come from a sketch comedy background through their work on BriTANicK, clearly understand how to construct jokes that escalate rather than repeat themselves. The film often feels like a series of interconnected comedy sketches, but the structure works because the central mission keeps the story moving forward. Even when something feels completely detached from the main plot, it usually ends up pushing the characters into the next chapter of the night.

What helps PIZZA MOVIE stand out from many modern stoner comedies is its willingness to embrace genuine weirdness. The hallucination sequences aren’t just gimmicks thrown in for a cheap laugh. Instead, they often become opportunities for the film to lean into it all. These moments give the film a personality that sets it apart from the more formulaic “one crazy night” comedies that tend to recycle the same ideas.

The humor is intentional and occasionally dumb, but the film rarely apologizes for it. In fact, it often commits to jokes far longer than expected, letting awkward pauses and absurdity stretch the comedy in unexpected ways. One extended sequence involving a verbal spiral is both painfully awkward and genuinely hilarious because the actors commit to the nonsense.

Despite all the chaos, the film also finds moments of surprising sincerity. Beneath the situations and ridiculous dialogue is a story about insecurity, friendship, and the strange period of life where people are still trying to figure out who they want to become. The film never stops being a comedy, but those underlying ideas give the story just enough emotional grounding to prevent it from feeling empty.

What lets PIZZA MOVIE work is the sense that everyone involved understood the tone they were aiming for. The performances lean into the ridiculousness without becoming obnoxious, the direction keeps the momentum moving, and the script constantly searches for new ways to escalate the chaos. The result is a comedy that feels loose, unpredictable, and genuinely fun.

By the time the night finally winds down, the film has transformed a simple pizza run into a bizarre odyssey of college anxiety, bad decisions, and nonsense. It might not break the wall of the comedy genre, but it absolutely knows how to deliver a ridiculous ride. PIZZA MOVIE proves that sometimes the dumbest premise can lead to the most entertaining journey. When a film commits this way to its own madness, it becomes easy to sit back and enjoy the ride.

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