Debut filmmaker Dylan Meyer delivers an absurdist comedy with “The Wrong Girls,” featuring Kristen Stewart and Alia Shawkat as two underachieving friends navigating life in Los Angeles. The film draws inspiration from classic stoner comedies while establishing its own identity through a plot involving experimental psychedelics that grant the protagonists telepathic abilities. Stewart plays Frankie, a failed Stanford engineering student turned delivery driver, while Shawkat portrays Molly, a weed-loving aspiring chef. When a case of mistaken identity lands them in possession of a powerful drug derived from deep sea squid, they become unwitting test subjects and suddenly valuable assets to a team of Danish researchers.
Meyer’s script weaves together multiple narrative strands as Frankie and Molly embark on a frantic quest to secure rent money, all while evading a mercenary and his scientific team. The ensemble cast, including LaKeith Stanfield and Kate McKinnon, brings considerable charm to the chaotic proceedings. McKinnon particularly stands out as a comedic highlight, while Stanfield demonstrates his versatility across genres. The chemistry between Stewart and Shawkat carries the film through its loosely-constructed plot.
Visually, cinematographer Todd Banhazl captures a vibrant ’90s aesthetic through saturated colors and hazy cinematography, complemented by composer Ty Segall’s psych-rock influenced score. Though the film leans heavily on local Los Angeles references and occasionally loses narrative coherence, Meyer’s enthusiasm for her material is infectious. “The Wrong Girls” succeeds as lighthearted entertainment with enough specificity and humor to appeal to audiences seeking unconventional comedy.
Originally reported by Variety →
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