Dir: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Cast: Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, Anna Faris
The chaotic female-led comedy flashes with a few moments of hilarity, but stumbles over clumsy slapstick, worn-out cliches, and the baffling waste of Anna Faris, falling short of the riotous fun it so desperately chases
Not so long ago, female-led comedies were a rare sight, with Hollywood stubbornly clinging to the idea that only men could deliver the laughs. Thankfully, that old-fashioned thinking has faded, especially following the critical and financial success of “Bridesmaids” when it burst onto the scene in 2011. While some called it the female answer to “The Hangover”, it quickly carved out its own wild, irreverent identity. Since then, we’ve been treated to a wave of hilarious hits like “Girls Trip” (2017), “Bad Moms” (2016), and the “Pitch Perfect” trilogy, proving that women can not only match but sometimes outshine their male counterparts in comedy.
Although Hollywood has made strides in balancing the gender scales in comedy, the genre itself has quietly slipped into the shadows, overshadowed by the relentless rise of superhero blockbusters and horror flicks—especially since the 2020 pandemic. With genuinely funny new comedies now a rare treat, I was genuinely thrilled when the trailer for “Spa Weekend” landed a few months back, promising the kind of laugh-out-loud escapade audiences have been craving for ages.
Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the comedic minds behind the original (and easily the best) “The Hangover”, as well as “Bad Moms” and its inferior festive sequel, helm “Spa Weekend” with their signature flair. With such a reliable duo at the wheel and a powerhouse cast featuring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Anna Faris, and Michelle Buteau, my hopes soared for a riotous comedy event. While the film does serve up moments of side-splitting brilliance, it never quite unleashes the full wild, raunchy potential I was hoping for.
The film introduces us to four lifelong friends, each wrestling with the chaos of adulthood and the realities of middle age. Jane (Leslie Mann) juggles her demanding career as a lawyer with single motherhood, leaving little room for romance. Sophie (Anna Faris) is a meek assistant trapped under the thumb of a childish boss, while Coco (Michelle Buteau) is a fiery divorcee who can’t resist poking fun at her ex’s much older new flame. To celebrate Jane’s birthday and escape their daily grind, the trio plans a lavish spa weekend—deliberately leaving out the unpredictable Aussie, Mel (Isla Fisher), fearing her wild antics would shatter their hopes for relaxation.
Their peaceful escape at the exclusive Solaris Resort is short-lived when Mel bursts onto the scene, thanks to a last-minute invite from a remorseful Sophie. From that moment on, chaos reigns as Mel turns the resort upside down and stirs up trouble within the group, meddling in both her friends’ professional and romantic affairs.
I never expected “Spa Weekend” to reinvent the comedy wheel, but with such a talented cast and crew, I hoped for sharper one-liners and more memorable comedic moments. While the film does offer flashes of fun and gives its stars a few chances to shine with witty, quotable lines, its biggest misstep lies with Lucas and Moore. Rather than trusting their cast’s proven comedic instincts, they lean too heavily on tired tropes and exaggerated slapstick, draining the script of its wit and leaving it feeling thin and uninspired.
Comedy often thrives on restraint, and slapstick is a tricky beast that demands precision. “Spa Weekend” stumbles by tossing in unnecessary romantic subplots that add little to the story. Why must every comedy shoehorn in a love interest? These smart, independent women deserve a film that lets them shine without the distraction of forced romance and syrupy sentimentality. Audiences come for laughs, not for sappy detours, yet Hollywood seems convinced we can’t have a good old-fashioned comedy anymore.
The cast sells their friendship with genuine chemistry, making their bond believable even when the script wavers. I’ve long admired all four leads, and casting Mann as the straight-laced anchor was a smart move—she brings charm and keeps the madness grounded. It is Fisher, though, who steals the spotlight as the chaotic Mel, delivering most of the film’s best lines and unforgettable moments, though a few veer into crass territory. The real disappointment is the criminal misuse of Faris, whose natural comedic brilliance is squandered as she’s side-lined in favour of her co-stars, leaving her role feeling like a missed opportunity.
Another nagging issue was the film’s visuals. I can’t say for certain, but some of the spa resort establishing shots looked suspiciously artificial, with an odd glow and haze that made them feel lifted from a low-budget commercial, a notable feature of A.I. Maybe it was a shortcut to make the Australian shoot look like California, or perhaps an attempt at satire, but either way, the effect was distracting and pulled me out of the story.
Despite its flaws, if you’re after a breezy, moderately funny 95 minutes of escapism, “Spa Weekend” might just do the trick. Still, I can’t help but wish for a true comedy gem this year—Hollywood, it’s time to step up.
Spa Weekend is now showing in UK Cinemas
Dan Loves Film 
What an engaging and wonderfully balanced review! 🎬👏 I really enjoyed how you looked beyond the star-studded cast and examined what actually makes a comedy work—or fail.
Your comparison with Bridesmaids, Girls Trip, Bad Moms, and Pitch Perfect provides a great context for discussing the changing landscape of female-led comedy. I also appreciate that you did not simply praise Spa Weekend because of its impressive cast; you pointed out where the film succeeds and, more importantly, where it falls short.
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