To say that modern dating is indescribably frustrating would be a near understatement. I often thank my good fortune for having found a serious boyfriend before the dating app era took over. Poor Iris (Molly Gordon) isn't so lucky. She seems to have found the perfect boyfriend. Apparently, Isaac (Logan Lerman) theoretically fits the bill, whether he's cooking for her, having deep conversations, or engaging in playful sexual encounters.
However, being "perfect" can come at a price. What happens when the fantasy we've created in our heads doesn't match reality? In Oh, Hi!, writer-director Sophie Brooks imagines a scenario that isn't too far from reality. Driven by the brute force of a scorned woman, Oh, Hi! masterfully deconstructs relationship dynamics with a madcap, darkly comic energy. Iris and Isaac are preparing for their first serious trip together: a two-day stay at a quaint farm in Hill Falls! In the days leading up to their arrival, we get a glimpse into the nature of their bond. They certainly seem on the same page when it comes to humor, attraction, and even Dolly Parton tunes.
Director: Sophie Brooks
Writers: Sophie Brooks, Molly Gordon
Stars: Molly Gordon, Logan Lerman, Geraldine Viswanathan
He performs oral sex on her without complaint, displaying genuine enthusiasm for the activity. These early scenes shared by the pair highlight the strengths of Lerman and Gordon; the former has been something of an internet boyfriend for years, while the latter played a terrible girlfriend and, conversely, a great one in Animal Kingdom and The Bear, respectively. Lerman has certainly come a long way since "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and has become a genuinely engaging love interest. Together, their chemistry feels like a genuine connection. This duo checks all the boxes, and we see how charismatic Isaac is to everyone they meet. An awkward encounter at a local strawberry stand earns Isaac praise not once, but twice: first for his beautiful eyes and second for his soft hands.
High Falls becomes a character in its own right long before Isaac is chained to the bed. Upon entering the town, Iris sees a sign that mistakenly reads "O High Falls." Their second home is uniquely structured and unconventionally beautiful, with the hint of bondage gear Iris discovers in the closet. They take a dip in the nearby lake, seemingly still in the throes of young love. The local weirdo, Steve (David Cross), accosts them, insisting this "ain't his playground."
Cross's deadpan delivery is a real highlight. The whole thing is a bit eccentric, almost horror-movie-like. Certainly, if Oh, Hi! wanted to go that route, it sets the stage for sinister misdeeds to unfold. Instead, it takes a comical, absurdist turn. Using chains, Isaac ties Iris to the bed for some kinky role-playing. She promptly freaks out. Being the good boy he is, Isaac offers to take her place so they can begin the steamy fun. Naturally, pushing Isaac to a state of extreme vulnerability offers a unique role reversal. Instead of the typical damsel in distress trapped by her captor, it's Isaac who can't escape.
A distraught Iris presents him with an ultimatum when their relationship hits a wall: give her 12 hours to prove what they could be together, and she promises to free Isaac. What ensues is a series of increasingly hilarious scenarios, built organically from Gordon's witty asides. In Iris's obsessive state, craving the approval of a man who clearly wasn't who she thought he was, she endears herself to the audience in a surprising way. In a differently structured film, we would have hoped Isaac would escape the bonds of his captivity. Teaching Mrs. Tingle and Gerald's Game took a decidedly different turn, chained to a bed; Oh, Hi! seeks to teach its characters lessons through a high-stakes scenario and bondage gear.
At the beginning of Oh, Hi!, it felt a bit jarring to fit the tone being sought. These concerns were quickly dispelled by observing Iris and Isaac at their most primal. By the time Max (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Kenny (John Reynolds) kick in, the dark comedy reaches an even more effective crescendo. However, none of this would work without the dedicated performances of Lerman and Gordon. The film manages to be engaging without showing too much skin, though in Lerman's case, that might turn some off. By embracing genre-busting tonal shifts and witty dialogue, Sophie Brooks proves to be a filmmaker to watch. If her future films are half as engaging as Oh, Hi!, she'll have a devoted fan base ready for therapists with any upcoming release.
You'll always have Oh, Hi!, once it premieres exclusively in theaters on Friday, July 25.
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