Pizza Movie is the rare stoner comedy we honestly haven’t gotten in quite some time. It plays like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World meets I Love You, Beth Cooper with the chaotic, drug-fueled energy of that one drug fueled scene in 21 Jump Street stretched across an entire film. It’s funny, dumb in the best way, and feels like the perfect gateway to introduce a new generation to a long-lost comedy style.
The film follows two college roommates, Jack (Gaten Matarazzo) and Montgomery (Sean Giambrone), a pair of lovable outcasts just trying to have a good time. After a hazing incident goes sideways, a chain of events leads to drugs literally falling from the ceiling and the two decide it’s a brilliant idea to take them. What follows is a night-long odyssey where the only solution to their spiraling situation is getting pizza. From there, the film becomes a hilarious journey on just how difficult it is to be high and simply make it to the lobby.
Along the way, they encounter a wild lineup of characters, including Lizzy (Lulu Wilson), an old friend who trades in her Becky-style intensity for a more comedic turn here and she absolutely delivers. Then there’s Blake (Jack Martin), the dorm’s RA, who makes for a perfect over-the-top antagonist, determined to rid the school of these so-called degenerates at any cost.
The script, from Nick Kocher and Brian McElhaney (the sketch duo BriTANicK), starts strong and never really lets up. At a tight 1 hour and 32 minutes, the film flies by. It’s incredibly self-aware of what it wants to be, leaning fully into its absurdity. There are standout moments throughout, including a late-film fourth-wall break that lands in a genuinely clever way.
Visually, the film is a surprise standout. The cinematography during the drug-fueled sequences fully commits to the bit, making you feel like you’re right there with the characters on their chaotic ride.
Matarazzo gets the chance to shed his familiar persona and proves he’s got real comedic chops in a role that feels tailor-made for him. That said, Giambrone is the true scene-stealer. Channeling a chaotic energy reminiscent of Charlie Day, he delivers some of the film’s biggest laughs. The chemistry between the two feels natural and effortless, like you’re watching real friends just being themselves.
Pizza Movie really shouldn’t work but it does. The cast fully commits, the humor lands more often than not, and the visuals elevate what could have been a one-note concept. It may not have much in terms of story, but if you’re just looking to sit back and laugh, this delivers.
This is very much this generation’s stoner comedy and one that will have audiences laughing, cringing, and saying “oh no” at the sheer ridiculousness unfolding on screen.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Pizza Movie had its world premiere at SXSW on March 13 and will stream on Hulu/Disney+ on April 3.
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Seth Fox, widely known online as AccordingtoSeth, is a pop culture commentator and entertainment writer with a passion for movies, television, and gaming. Long regarded as the go-to source for recommendations among friends and followers, he’s now turning that lifelong enthusiasm into a professional career in entertainment media. A fan of all genres with a special love for horror, Seth enjoys spotlighting everything from spine-tingling scares and edge-of-your-seat thrillers to underrated hidden gems. Through thoughtful commentary, exclusive interviews with actors and directors, and coverage of the latest entertainment news, he aims to help audiences discover their next favorite watch.