When I think of the word "roommate" and the world of cinema, my mind immediately drifts to the 2011 horror film *The Roommate*, starring Minka Kelly and Leighton Meester. Honestly, they looked absolutely stunning in that movie. But anyway—while this *Roommates* doesn't follow exactly the same tone, it certainly conveys that same unsettling feeling that something isn't quite right, right from the very start. *Roommates* kicks off with two college students arguing because they’ve been terrible roommates to one another.
When they are summoned to the dean's office, he offers to tell them a story to make them realize the magnitude of the offense they are committing by trying to hurt each other in front of a whole crowd of people. The story then transports us to the past, and the dean introduces us to the two protagonists of this twist-filled plot: Celeste and Devon. I know—the way I’m framing this, anyone would think it’s a horror movie. But it’s not; it’s a comedy produced by Adam Sandler and starring his own daughter in the lead role.
Director: Chandler Levack
Writers: Jimmy Fowlie, Ceara O'Sullivan
Producers: Tim Herlihy, Adam Sandler, Kevin Grady
What follows is a dry-witted comedy about the process of growing up. While not everyone has experienced situations quite like this, in some way, it’s possible to identify with at least one of the characters in the story. Netflix seems to have a knack for finding the perfect scripts—the kind that allow Gen Z viewers to enjoy an experience that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. The best example of this is another Netflix film: *Do Revenge*. The style of the two films isn't exactly identical, of course, but their atmospheres undoubtedly overlap—if you catch my drift.
I don't know if it’s because of the era I was born in, or the moment I started taking a real interest in Hollywood, but in my view, everything this man touches seems to turn to gold; and I get a similar feeling from this movie—and possibly from his daughter, too. I had already seen Sadie’s first film—in which her father also starred—but I think she has evolved tremendously since then; in this lead role, she comes across as much more authentic, embodying a solitary girl who, nonetheless, feels deeply loved by her family. Perhaps, in a way, this stems from her own lived experience—growing up in isolation as the daughter of a celebrity—or perhaps she simply possesses innate talent. On the other hand, we have Chloe East in *Heretic*; I believe this young woman is destined for great things, judging by the choices she has made so far and her remarkable ability to transform herself within her roles. She is undoubtedly excellent in this film, and I won’t reveal anything further, as any kind of spoiler would completely ruin the fun.
And that is precisely what this movie is all about: it is immensely entertaining from start to finish, yet also far darker than one might imagine. I don’t say this to alarm you or anything of the sort, but it might be wise to check for trigger warnings if you feel you need them. In any case, the film’s plot is driven by a backstory, though one tends to forget that once the action kicks into gear. It feels much more grounded in the present day than any other college movie I’ve seen in a long time. Typically, this genre tends to be split between *slapstick* comedies and hyper-masculine narratives of the "we have to make jokes about female body parts and hooking up every single second of the movie" variety. Perhaps that is precisely what makes *Roommates* feel so refreshing. It is not a *coming-of-age* story—don’t worry. It definitely gives the impression that someone decided to take their own lived experiences and see just how far they could push them through the lens of this story.
You know, in that vein of: "Oh, I have so many regrets in life... what would have happened if I had done *this* instead?" Honestly, it serves as an excellent creative outlet—certainly provocative, yet without taking itself too seriously. I believe the difference between *Roommates* and any run-of-the-mill college comedy lies in two points: 1) it centers on women, and 2) it isn't afraid to push boundaries. Not everyone knows how to portray the many nuances of female friendship, and director Chandler Levack does a magnificent job bringing this film to life; she revisits elements from her debut feature, *I Like Movies*, yet manages to create a very distinct atmosphere of tension—quite a feat for only her second comedy feature. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Oh, and don't worry: we don't discriminate here; there are male characters in the movie as well, and they all receive the attention they deserve.
All in all, I found it entertaining, polished, and a truly enjoyable experience. I won't lie: you won't even want to distract yourself with a second screen while watching it—something that is usually common with comedies. Ultimately, for obvious reasons, I’m going to recommend this film. It comes as a breath of fresh air compared to all the mediocrity we tend to find on digital platforms these days. I think it’s the kind of movie you could enjoy watching with a sibling.
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