Hulu’s My Fake Boyfriend was a good attempt at educating viewers about the perils and the dark and dangerous waters of the Internet. But, you do need a satirical black comedy to make the impact more wholesome in comparison to a rom-com. Well, Not Okay is just the film that takes it up a notch. Written and directed by Quinn Shephard, who is best known for her psychological drama Blame, the latest Hulu release is produced by Makeready.
It stars Zoey Deutch as the protagonist Danni Sanders, along with Dylan O’Brien as Colin, Mia Isaac as Rowan, Embeth Davidtz as Judith, Karan Soni as Kevin, Brennan Brown as Harold, Nadia Alexander as Harper, Tia Dionne Hodge as Linda, Negin Farsad as Susan, Sarah Yarkin as Julie, Dash Perry as Larson and Caroline Calloway as Herself. The film is 1 hour and 40 minutes long.
– Hulu’s Not Okay Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
Not Okay: Fame, Lies & Cancel-Culture
Not Okay is a film that feels extremely relevant during this time and age where people are obsessed with social media, likes and followings and how that determines a person’s real-life relationships. It takes a decent dive into the world of cancel-culture and how small lies impact the big picture, ultimately.
Zoey Deutch’s Danni Sanders is a misguided young woman- a photo editor, who wants to become a writer and wants to be seen. Unwittingly to gain some fake fame and quick followers, she orchestrates a fake trip to Paris for a writer’s retreat. What she actually does is gets better at her job skill- photo editing. Danni fills her socials with edited pictures from her Paris trip and gains some recognition but, what she does not realize is the price she would have to pay for her small lie.
On waking up one fine morning, Danni hits the news channel only to realize that a terrorist incident has taken place in Paris, in real-life and, and it automatically becomes a part of her imaginary trip. This gives her a boost in her reel and real life, but the house she is building with the water bricks of lies soon starts to fall apart when people around her start to realize how something just doesn’t fit right.
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The screenplay for Not Okay feels lacks lustre at times, especially when they try to incorporate punchlines. However, the drama part lands beautifully and makes it a relevant movie that people should watch. Although the message it is trying to give out might seem a little muddled at times.
What saves the film by all graces and makes it a good watch is Zoey Deutch and the other cast members. Deutch is certainly the actor who deserves better and has done films that thoroughly charm you and touch you. She brings all her skills on board in this movie and there is not a single time when you feel her miss a beat. She plays Danni, who is extremely unlikable but, also owns it and wears that fact on her sleeve. She is the desperate sociopath in the film that you will not like but, still, watch where she is headed.
Mia Isaac’s Rowan, on the other hand, is the perfect balance to Deutch’s Danni. When the themes of PTSD and pretentiousness run parallel to each other in the movie, it is a point where you get a good check between what’s real and what’s fake. Dylan O’Brien who plays a downright douchebag as Colin is just there to give you all the vibes. He is not a character you can invest in but, surely the one that casually enterains.
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Not Okay: Final Verdict
Is this film for everyone? Maybe not. But, should people take an interest and watch it? Absolutely, yes. It is a just-touching-the-waters kind of serious but, also casually chill movie all at the same time. It is rare to come across a movie that gives you a hard pill to swallow but, also offers some fun vodka by the side.
There are loopholes in the premise and moments that can be compiled to form a cringefest but, it all really comes together at the end to make something successfully pertinent.
You can stream Not Okay now on Hulu.
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