Don’t Trip (2025) - 4/10

A young script writer, Dev (Matthew Sato) is trying to make his way in Hollywood, but is quickly finding the doors are closed to him. He has a plan though, using contacts at a job he’s just got fired from to get to big shot producer, Scott Lefkowitz (Fred Melamed), through his spoilt druggy, Joe Rogan quoting son, Trip (Will Sennett), who does a good manic Eric Stoltz impression. The characters are distinctly unlikeable and that’s a problem. Dev is supposed to be our hero, ingratiating himself with Trip, but the pair together are rather irritating. Trip is a lunatic that I think is supposed to be comedic and Dev, well Dev is just dull. He soon finds out that Trip isn’t as close to his dad as he’d hoped, rendering the whole idea null and void. Dev’s goals aren’t really the point of Don’t Trip though. The point, if there is one, is a series of chaotic scenes in which Trip pays Dev to hang out and do stupid jackass style nonsense as the pair bond. The only sensible character is Monica (Olivia Rouyre), Dev’s girlfriend, whose concern is at least relatable. She sees the futility of it all, how Dev isn’t really chasing his dream, he’s just a play thing puppet for a detached from reality rich kid, until Trip realises that Dev might be the key to gaining his dads respect. I was asked to review this and I wanted to like it, but it is a struggle. It’s a shame as there does feel to be a good lofi horror thriller in here as it becomes clear that Trip isn’t only annoying, but dangerous. Sennett is surprisingly good as his psychotic persona unfolds and Melamed sensibly keeps his involvement largely to a cameo. There is a moral commentary about the choices artists are forced to make, but it’s all too clunky. I’m intrigued to what writer and director Alex Kugelman does next though and both Rouyre and Sennett are worth keeping an eye on.

4/10