Pizza Movie Review: Hulu’s Innovative Stoner Comedy Is A New All-Time Great For The Genre

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Stoner comedies were once incredibly popular, with movies like Harold & Kumar, How High, and Super Troopers leading the way. However, that trend has largely faded, and filmmakers are now focusing more on realistic stories about people and their lives.

This comedy on Hulu is a surprisingly welcome change of pace. It clearly understands its target audience and delivers the kind of silly, over-the-top humor they enjoy. However, it also manages to be fresh and original, offering something enjoyable even for those who don’t typically like stoner comedies.

Pizza Movie‘s Phase-Based Structure & Excellent Cast Keep The Film’s Energy High

Okay, so I just watched Pizza Movie, the new film from the comedy duo BriTANicK, and it’s a surprisingly sweet and funny look at college life. The story revolves around two roommates, Jack and Montgomery. Jack’s a really outgoing guy who’s become the campus outcast after, well, let’s just say a football-related mishap. Meanwhile, Monty’s super shy and desperately trying to reinvent himself as a confident guy to impress a girl named Ashley. It’s a classic odd-couple dynamic, and Gaten Matarazzo and Sean Giambrone play it perfectly. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s a charming and relatable film.

Jack and Monty had a terrible day, facing humiliation and bullying at school. They found a hidden stash of powerful hallucinogenic drugs called “M.I.N.T.S.” in their dorm room. A video from the drug’s creator revealed the only way to handle the intense effects – eating pizza. Luckily, they’d already ordered a pizza, but it was stuck two floors down. As the drugs kicked in with increasingly strange effects, the two friends set off on a chaotic night to get their pizza.

Although it might seem like just another Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle retread, Pizza Movie is surprisingly creative and imaginative in how it tells its story. The effects of the drug are so bizarre and unpredictable – you rarely see what’s coming – that each new phase is both shocking and impressive.

Whether it’s heads exploding from harsh language, bodies switching, or frightening demonic imagery, McElhaney and Kocher consistently surprise viewers. The humor is amplified by the characters’ complete lack of understanding about what the drug is actually doing. They playfully explore complex ideas like quantum physics—ideas the show’s creators seem to avoid—but quickly abandon these thoughts in their rush to get pizza before reaching the drug’s most dangerous stage.

What makes this comedy stand out isn’t just its energetic take on the familiar stoner formula. McElhaney and Kocher smartly avoid jokes that would quickly make the film feel old-fashioned. Even when using broadly drawn characters, they manage to keep the humor light and avoid truly offensive material. Plus, the personal struggles of the main characters, Jack and Monty, feel relatable and enduring, without resorting to the crude behavior often seen in this type of comedy.

Beyond the strong writing, McElhaney and Kocher truly shine as directors. The visual signal they use to change scenes is beautiful and complements the film’s overall look. Their action sequences and set designs are inventive, clearly influenced by filmmakers like The Daniels and James Wan.

Even with a strong script and direction, Pizza Movie truly shines because of its talented cast. Jack’s performance feels reminiscent of Gaten Matarazzo’s breakout role as Dustin in Stranger Things, and he perfectly captures the energetic and chaotic nature of his character. Similarly, Giambrone, returning to live-action after the Kim Possible reboot, brings qualities from his previous roles to create Monty, a likable counterpoint to Jack’s quick wit, which is exactly what the film needs to keep the audience engaged.

Lulu Wilson delivers a fantastic performance as Lizzy, Jack and Monty’s old friend who distanced herself from them to try and become popular. Wilson, known for her early roles in horror films like Annabelle: Creation and her work with Mike Flanagan, has been demonstrating her versatility as an actress, particularly in the Becky films. Pizza Movie proves she’s a natural when it comes to comedy.

While not flawless – like many comedies, it loses a little momentum in the middle – Pizza Movie is still a standout film. It recovers brilliantly with a strong and surprisingly self-aware final act, making Jack, Monty, and Lizzy’s story incredibly satisfying. This is a film that will be remembered, and it’s easily one of the greatest stoner comedies ever made.

Pizza Movie is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+!

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2026-04-03 19:08