movie review always be my maybe

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, always be my maybe.

Now streaming on:

Sometimes, the great love you’re meant to end up with (in other words, the one ) is right in front you. At least according to the age-old happily-ever-after premise of countless romantic comedies including “When Harry Met Sally,” in which two longtime friends fall to bed and become lovers—first awkwardly, then passionately. Nahnatchka Khan ’s “Always Be My Maybe,” an eager-to-please yet unsatisfying genre dish, follows a similar formula with all the correct on-paper ingredients: a pair of likable leads, quirky sidekicks, eye-catching locations and through a brief role hilariously played by Keanu Reeves , even some major movie star appeal. It is then unfortunate that this tempting package by Khan, a creative and producing force behind ABC’s “Fresh off the Boat,” is so bland, feeling less like a movie and more like the output of an assembly line.

The bulk of the liability can be attributed to the writing, with responsibilities shared across Michael Golamco , Randall Park and Ali Wong —the latter two artists, real-life friends and like Khan, well-affiliated with “Fresh Off The Boat,” also play the co-leads. Recycling a tried-and-true recipe with a contemporary spin is certainly not a wrongdoing in itself—from haunted house movies to time travel flicks, various genres continuously source brand-new thrills and joys from familiar premises. But somewhere along the way here, the screenwriting trio foregoes building plausible dramatic turns, and instead, delivers something that dutifully ticks expected boxes. While they feel like the right boxes for the most part, “Always Be My Maybe” doesn’t ultimately offer sturdy emotional stakes to hold the film (and our attention) together. The plainly bright, sitcom-like cinematography, which lacks a visual identity throughout, doesn’t help matters, either.

And yet it all starts encouragingly enough, at a time when young Sasha Tran and Marcus Kim (with their adult selves played by Wong and Park respectively) are next-door neighbors in San Francisco. Often neglected by her parents who work long hours, Sasha seems accustomed to preparing her own dinners—she can make even a can of spam look fancy—and learning the intricate details of Korean cuisine from Marcus’ sweet, sacrificing mom. With Sasha spending most of her time with Marcus’ family, the two kids grow up as friends, somehow lose their virginity to each other as teens and upon the passing of Marcus’ mother, have an awkward falling out in their formative years.

Cut to 15 years later, and Sasha is now among America’s hottest celebrity chefs in Los Angeles, engaged to the equally successful restaurateur Brandon Choi ( Daniel Dae Kim ). But her nuptial bliss gets delayed, when she heads back to San Francisco to open a new restaurant and Brandon, on his way to India for a new business venture, proposes to postpone the wedding and have an open relationship along the way. You guessed it right. This is when Marcus—in A/C business with his father and still driving the same car—re-enters the picture, albeit with a quirky, comic relief of a girlfriend (the thankless part is spiritedly played by performance artist Vivian Bang ). The two old friends re-connect, open up old wounds, fight, bicker, bond and ultimately, unite around their love for one another, lifting each other up professionally. Always wary about growth, Marcus finally finds the courage to step up his game as a musician. Thus far into fancy culinary trends—words like non-denominational and elevated are thrown around to describe food — Sasha remembers her roots and what made her love cooking in the first place.

These developments would certainly have felt more moving, if the duo’s break up were stemming from reasons more memorable or consequential. And … if only we could see Sasha at work more; even just once! But while Wong walks around with the earned attitude of someone deservingly successful at her job, “Always Be My Maybe” forgets to grant her adequate scenes where she gets to perform her craft to make her character plausible. The film poignantly engages with the Korean-American experience from familial, societal and professional angles and hits upon sweet, sharp-eyed insights in that regard. But its other ambitions—like critiquing gentrification—fall flat, with jokes around “kale” and “rich people in t-shirts” feeling immediately stale.

Wong and Park have lovely chemistry (more as friends than lovers), with Wong especially delivering a feisty performance while sporting Leesa Evans ’ terrific costumes. But as tentative as its title, “Always Be My Maybe” feels very much like the fancy tasting menu Marcus complains about in one scene. It awakens a craving, but leaves you starving for something a lot more substantial. 

Tomris Laffly

Tomris Laffly is a freelance film writer and critic based in New York. A member of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), she regularly contributes to  RogerEbert.com , Variety and Time Out New York, with bylines in Filmmaker Magazine, Film Journal International, Vulture, The Playlist and The Wrap, among other outlets.

Now playing

Food, Inc. 2

Glenn kenny.

Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus

Matt Zoller Seitz

Simon Abrams

In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon

Clint worthington, film credits.

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug use/references, and language.

Ali Wong as Sasha

Randall Park as Marcus

Ashley Liao as Young Sasha

Jackson Geach as Young Marcus

Michelle Buteau as Veronica

James Saito as Harry

Miya Cech as Younger Sasha

Anaiyah Bernier as Young Veronica

• Nahnatchka Khan
• Michael Golamco
• Randall Park

Cinematographer

• Tim Suhrstedt

Latest blog posts

Until It’s Too Late: Bertrand Bonello on The Beast

O.J. Simpson Dies: The Rise & Fall of A Superstar

Which Cannes Film Will Win the Palme d’Or? Let’s Rank Their Chances

Second Sight Drops 4K Releases for Excellent Films by Brandon Cronenberg, Jeremy Saulnier, and Alexandre Aja

Advertisement

Supported by

‘Always Be My Maybe’ Review: Romance, Food and Fame Through a Sitcom Lens

Ali Wong and Randall Park struggle to find chemistry in this romantic comedy with an appealingly diverse cast.

• Share full article

By Jeannette Catsoulis

“Always Be My Maybe” feels a lot like a movie propped up by a stunt, a high-gloss romantic comedy so mired in triteness and unconvincing emotions that its main recommendation is the appealing diversity of its cast .

That stunt is a wonderfully self-deprecating appearance by Keanu Reeves, but we’ll get to him in a moment. The early scenes, set in San Francisco in the 1990s, have a charming ease as young Sasha (Miya Cech), a lonely only child, finds solace at the home of her friend and neighbor, Marcus (Emerson Min). The enticing Korean meals cooked by Marcus’s mother (Susan Park) are especially consoling, so it’s no surprise to find the adult Sasha (the dauntingly confident Ali Wong) swanning around Los Angeles as a glitzy celebrity chef.

One-pot comfort food, though, has been replaced by elaborate plates of Instagrammable art, which is how we know that Sasha has lost touch with her roots. The movie is rife with this kind of shorthand, sketching characters’ flaws and attributes in broad sitcom strokes: Sasha’s faithless and short-lived fiancé, a restaurateur who practices capoeira, gives Daniel Dae Kim little to play but an empty suit. Even so, he’s a more credible partner for Sasha than Marcus (a bashful Randall Park), who might look like an adult but hasn’t yet figured out how to behave like one.

[ Ali Wong and Randall Park on why they made the movie.]

When they reunite, he’s a grumpy, ambitionless air-conditioning technician and the frontman for an ear-shreddingly awful band, still driving the car he lost his virginity in 15 years earlier. Once again, we have a smart, successful woman hooking up with a weed-smoking low achiever, albeit one who bucks formula somewhat by failing to drag her down to his level. (It’s hard to imagine anyone played by Wong, who first drew attention for her outrageously funny 2016 special “Baby Cobra,” being dragged anywhere she doesn’t want to go.) Small consolation in a movie littered with Spanx jokes, money-focused Asian stereotypes and embarrassingly humorless setups. One particularly wince-worthy scene has Marcus ruin his band’s crucial audition by drunkenly relieving himself on an amplifier.

Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, the showrunner of the sharp ABC comedy “Fresh Off the Boat” (which Park stars in and Wong used to write for), “Always Be My Maybe” never shakes off those sitcom shackles. It does, however, gain a lot of mileage by lampooning a familiar kind of culinary ostentatiousness — like Sasha promising that her latest establishment will feature “transdenominational” Vietnamese food — that peaks in a perfectly staged dinner for four in a restaurant whose name, Maximal, says it all.

Into this circus of edible absurdity ( the meal was scrupulously designed by the kaiseki chef Niki Nakayama ) strides Reeves, in windblown slow-motion and accompanied by lustful growls on the soundtrack, as if borne on the back of a horny elephant. Playing Sasha’s celebrity squeeze , Reeves has enormous fun spoofing his action-movie persona and pricking Hollywood pretensions. But he’s a trick, a pointless publicity bomb whose explosion only highlights Marcus and Sasha’s complete lack of sexual chemistry. Their friendship feels real; their romance as unlikely as the food served at Maximal.

Always Be My Maybe

Rated PG-13 for teens getting deflowered and adults getting aroused. Running time: 1 hour 41 minutes.

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

Even before his new film “Civil War” was released, the writer-director Alex Garland faced controversy over his vision of a divided America with Texas and California as allies .

Theda Hammel’s directorial debut, “Stress Positions,” a comedy about millennials weathering the early days of the pandemic , will ask audiences to return to a time that many people would rather forget.

“Fallout,” TV’s latest big-ticket video game adaptation, takes a satirical, self-aware approach to the End Times .

“Sasquatch Sunset” follows the creatures as they go about their lives. We had so many questions. The film’s cast and crew had answers .

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Always Be My Maybe review – another middling Netflix romantic comedy

Ali Wong and Randall Park can’t spin quite enough charm from a flat-looking regurgitation of a formula we know all too well

O ur collective thirst for the release of a genuinely great romantic comedy has led to us looking back as well as forward, rewatching the classics ad nauseam, waiting impatiently for a worthy new addition. Those canny folks over at Netflix have been making note and as a result, they have been algorithmically constructing a string of lab-cooked, box-ticking impostors that sit creepily alongside the films they’re desperately trying to emulate. Last year’s “summer of love” transformed Set It Up, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Kissing Booth into global hits, with more than 80m accounts allegedly watching one or more, and proving yet again how much we crave a neat meet-cute.

On the big screen, this same hunger has also led to recent examples of the genre, such as Crazy Rich Asians and Long Shot, receiving wildly overblown reviews, critics apparently as eager for a romcom slam-dunk as viewers. But the search for a winner continues to roll on and so does the Netflix factory, kicking off another summer season with Always Be My Maybe, an often funny, often frustrating spin on a familiar formula.

Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park) were childhood best friends who drifted apart after a one-night stand as young adults. As thirtysomethings, the pair are leading wildly different lives, with Sasha a successful celebrity chef and Marcus still living at home and performing in the same local band. After an unexpected reunion, they find residual frostiness quickly melting and they return to their old ways. But can they turn a friendship into something more? You can probably guess the answer to that.

Written by Wong, who wrote four seasons of Fresh Off the Boat, and Park, who stars in the show, Always Be My Maybe is a rare romantic comedy with two Asian American leads, and there’s a strong sense of cultural specificity that informs the script. As leads, they’re also strong but as a romantic pairing, there’s a stifling lack of chemistry, at least as anything more than friends. The result is that as an audience, we’re perfectly happy for them to stick to being maybes and when they turn into, ahem, babies, it doesn’t feel like the heartwarming finale we’re after. Wong, whose Netflix special Baby Cobra remains one of the funniest standups in recent memory, shows that she can be a charismatic and effortlessly funny movie star, although I would have preferred more opportunities for her to showcase just how funny she can be.

Too often the film leans into over-egged sentimentality over sharp humour, a shame given how amusing the film can be, whether it’s the pair questioning Leonardo DiCaprio’s contribution to the climate crisis or Wong mumble-singing to D’Angelo. Despite clearly modelling itself on When Harry Met Sally, there’s also a tiresome overreliance on broader set pieces, from an embarrassingly forced physical confrontation to a character drunkenly relieving himself on stage, moments that feel like the result of a more contemporary studio comedy template. It’s a film that works best in the smaller moments, the less trailer-friendly scenes of the two characters just talking, the very thing that made When Harry Met Sally so engaging. It’s when the wackiness is ramped up that things start to fall apart, especially in a sequence featuring a strange cameo from Keanu Reeves as Sasha’s new celebrity beau.

Like many Netflix originals, Always Be My Maybe is lumbered with a flat, cheap aesthetic, with TV director Nahnatchka Khan failing to make the film look any better than a low-budget TV movie (even the unquestionably handsome Reeves is sabotaged by shoddy lighting). Another recurring issue is this rather smug tendency to reference Netflix during one of their shows or films and here we get that twice, most toe-curlingly as Park’s rap trio namechecks the company’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, in a song. Note to Netflix: don’t do this.

It’s admirable to see the streaming giant try to reinvigorate genres that have fallen out of favour on the big screen, the teen movie also being a notable example, but there’s also a laziness underpinning the execution. Like Set It Up before it, Always Be My Maybe hits all of the beats we have come to expect yet fails to do so well enough, as if the mere existence of a technically well-structured romantic comedy is better than nothing. Because of the ease of access, maybe it is enough for some viewers, happy to press play without expectation and any further expenditure. But for those of us still waiting for something really special, that happy ending remains out of reach.

Always Be My Maybe is available on Netflix from 31 May

• Comedy films
• Romance films

Most viewed

Film Review: Netflix’s ‘Always Be My Maybe’

Netflix’s romantic comedy about two estranged best friends rekindling an old flame blends comedy, culture, and commentary in a shrewd package.

By Courtney Howard

Courtney Howard

• ‘Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead’ Review: A Remake That Remarkably Refashions Secondhand Goods 5 days ago
• ‘Arthur the King’ Review: Mark Wahlberg and a Very Good Dog Make For a Winning Combination in This Feelgood Drama 1 month ago
• ‘Glitter & Doom’ Review: Jukebox Musical Hits Right Notes With Indigo Girls Songs, Off Notes With Queer Love Story 1 month ago

Society, and relentless commercial campaigns, constantly bombard women with messages about matrimony: Score a big, sparkly diamond. Obsess over a fancy white dress. And definitely marry your best friend. That latter cliché has been espoused by countless Hollywood comedies, from “My Best Friend’s Wedding” to “Made of Honor,” where one party resorts to outlandish shenanigans to win over the more reluctant party. Refreshingly, director Nahnatchka Khan ’s “Always Be My Maybe” presents a less lopsided — and by extension, more natural — situation in which two estranged childhood friends attempt to reignite their teen romance. The positive influence of “When Harry Met Sally” is noticeable in the undercurrents, but Netflix’s modern-minded romantic comedy has its own unique identity, savoring aspects of Asian-American culture and treating both protagonists as equal partners.

Sasha Tran (Miya Chech) and Marcus Kim (Emerson Min) become childhood best friends in San Francisco, forming a connection over their love of food and family — specifically Marcus’. Latchkey kid Sasha spends most of her free time in Marcus’ home, cooking with his mom Judy (Susan Park) and bonding with his father Harry (James Saito). As teens, the duo continue to spend time together, taking cable car rides through the city, making cheesy mementos and fishing off the pier. But when Marcus’ mother suddenly dies, and the pair (now played by Ali Wong and Randall Park ) give in to their urges in the back seat of his smelly, beat-up Corolla, their amorous feelings quickly turn awkward. It causes a rift in their relationship — one that can only be mended by time spent apart.

Years later, Sasha is now a celebrity chef who has parlayed her love of cuisine into a million-dollar company, running a Vietnamese fusion restaurant in Los Angeles. Her romantic life is less than successful, as her narcissistic restaurateur fiancé Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim) breaks off their engagement on the precipice of her move to San Francisco. Heartbroken and ready to heal, Sasha returns to her hometown where, thanks to some meddling by her pregnant friend and business partner Veronica (Michelle Buteau, who elevates rubbing her belly into an art form), she reunites with Marcus. He’s caught in a state of arrested development, still living at home and working for his dad. His lack of confidence and fear of success have also put self-imposed limits on his musical ambitions, relegating him to playing a dive bar with his high school band. At first reluctant to reconnect, the pair soon rediscover their groove.

Popular on Variety

For a genre encumbered with unrealistic notions of romance and how to attain it, Khan’s feature feels wildly progressive in many ways. It never pits women against each other, fighting over the affections of a man, nor does it require either protagonist to sacrifice themselves for the other’s happiness. Both Marcus, who needs to break out of his comfort zone, and Sasha, who needs to remember what home means, are forced to do the necessary change to meet one another’s best selves in the middle.

The screenplay, co-written by Wong, Park and Michael Golamco, highlights different facets of comedy, from the physicality of getting busy in a tiny back seat (as Garfield and Odie figurines watch from the dashboard), to the broad outrageousness of a situation involving Marcus’ dreadlocked, free-spirited girlfriend Jenny (Vivian Bang) and a repulsive home-cooked meal. There’s even observational humor about the city’s rampant handicap placard abuse, and culturally specific, self-reflexive jokes about tip avoidance and the benefits of speaking Cantonese to dumpling house waitresses (as Marcus exclaims, “Free shumai!”).

Perhaps the best sequences are multi-purpose. They’re both funny and genuine, add a bubbly buoyancy through deft wit and charm, and tweak genre conventions. Keanu Reeves’ appearance in a pretentious gastronomy restaurant provides a solid set piece to ramp up the sex appeal, supply a provocative antagonist and deliver some hilarious one-liners, all while lampooning foodie culture. The unavoidable “chase to get the girl,” followed by the “grand gesture at a public event,” dovetail nicely into a surprise second grand gesture — one that might summon a few tears.

The material shifts in tone from humorous to poignant, and back again, fairly seamlessly. While Park and Wong, two actors known primarily for their work in comedy, are totally in their wheelhouse with the brisk and brainy banter, it’s their ease at leaning into their characters’ vulnerabilities that’s noteworthy. Park earns his leading-man status here with endearing sweetness and accessibility. Wong’s performance feels real and resonant. Peeking out from underneath her designer cat-eye glasses are intelligence, grace and beauty that rival any romantic comedy queen.

Reviewed at Rodeo Screening Room, Los Angeles, May 28, 2019. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: ­­­­­101 MIN.

• Production: A Netflix release of a Good Universe Production. Producers: Nathan Kahane, Erin Westerman, Randall Park, Ali Wong. Executive producers: Brendan Ferguson, John Powers Middleton.
• Crew: Director: Nahnatchka Khan. Screenplay: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michael Golamco. Camera (color, widescreen): Tim Suhrstedt. Editors: Lee Haxall. Music: Michael Andrews, Greyboy.
• With: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michelle Buteau, Vivian Bang, Daniel Dae Kim, Susan Park, James Saito, Keanu Reeves.

More From Our Brands

‘snl’ cold open: ryan gosling, kate mckinnon recall wild alien abduction, meet the bentley flying spur speed, robb report’s 2024 car of the year runner up, coyotes’ name, logo to remain in phoenix while team relocates, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, snl video: kate mckinnon returns to manhandle ryan gosling during another steamy alien abduction, verify it's you, please log in.

Ali Wong and Randall Park Are a Romantic Dream Team in ‘Always Be My Maybe’

By Peter Travers

Peter Travers

Related: 50 Greatest Romantic Comedies of All Time

Let’s hear it for Ali Wong , the Vietnamese-Chinese-American stand-up comic, and Randall Park, born to Korean immigrant parents, for bringing their own hilarious and heartfelt perspective to Always Be My Maybe . It’s an irresistible romantic romp that turns the familiar into something sweet, sassy and laugh-out-loud funny. And, in its own way, quietly revolutionary. The film centers on a relationship between two Asians, neither directly looking outside their culture to fulfill their fantasies. Sure, Jon M. Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians also did that with much success. But otherwise the Asian-Asian romance is exceedingly rare in a Hollywood that places its bets on a great white hope. The team behind Always Be My Maybe is way smarter than that. Both veterans of ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat — she as a wordsmith, he as an actor — Wong and Park make a dream team as co-writers (along with Michael Golamco) and co-stars under the bracing direction of Boat creator Nahnatchka Khan.

Wong plays celebrity chef Sasha Tran, and Park is Marcus Kim, a dreamer stuck on the fringes of San Francisco in a rap band (Hello Peril) that’s going nowhere. Sasha and Marcus haven’t spoken since high school when they clumsily lost their virginity in the cramped backseat of his Corolla. Now that Sasha has returned to the Bay area to open a new restaurant, can the spark reignite, especially with the two barely holding back on their mutual resentment?

Unfortunately, the plot complications are standard issue. Sasha has broken off her engagement to cheating restaurateur Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim) and Marcus’ relationship with dreadlocked girlfriend Jenny (a high-spirited Vivian Bang) feels more homey than hot. Sasha has a pregnant bestie and business partner in Veronica (a wonderfully droll Michelle Buteau) to ease the flow of banter. And Marcus, of course, has his band, which represents a career dead end without for a minute minimizing the fact that Marcus has talent, which Sasha would like him to do something with, for God’s sake.

Editor’s picks

The 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, the 50 worst decisions in movie history, every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term.

As director, Khan has a skilled way of letting the past seep into the present as Sasha reconnects not just with Marcus but with his father, Harry (James Saito), who was once such an integral part of her upbringing. These moments deepen the film with resonant feeling without skimping on the ha-ha. There are good jokes about Marcus and rap and how Sasha runs cooking up the fame ladder. One scene, set in a wildly pretentious restaurant, skewers the industry of food with hilarious results.

And then there’s Keanu Reeves , who enters the film as a glamorous impediment to the course of true love. Netflix insists critics shouldn’t reveal who Reeves plays, but trust me, the John Wick star is dynamite in a role much closer to home. His self-mocking wit is simply delicious. Still, the movie holds its center when it stays whisper-close to its bruised heart. The question of whether friends can be lovers is a Hollywood staple (see When Harry Met Sally …) that only works when we form a rooting interest in the characters. That we do that here is a tribute to how well Wong and Park play it naughty and nice. Wong is a comic tornado who never sacrifices truth for a laugh, and Park possesses acting instincts that keep it touchingly real. No maybes about it, they’re too good to miss.

'SNL' Cold Open: Ryan Gosling, Kate McKinnon Recall Wild Alien Abduction

• Close Encounter
• By William Vaillancourt

'SNL' Weekend Update Addresses O.J.'s Death, Trashes Trump's Abortion Comments

'snl': ryan gosling, emily blunt channel taylor swift for farewell to ken.

• 'You're Kenning!'

Chris Farley Biopic in the Works With Paul Walter Hauser in Lead Role

• In Development
• By Larisha Paul

Ryan Gosling Initially Turned Down 'I'm Just Ken' Oscars Performance Ask Before Unleashing Inner Pop Star

• Couldn't Miss the Moment

Most Popular

Jodie foster pulled robert downey jr. aside on their 1995 film set and told him: 'i’m scared of what happens to you next' because of addiction, where to stream 'quiet on set: the dark side of kids tv' online, king charles just revealed the two royals who will be stepping up for him amid health struggles, dave chappelle says dinner with kanye west and "naked" bianca censori was "uncomfortable", you might also like, no doubt dusts off the spiderwebs and brings rock steady vibes to invigorating coachella 2024 set, billie eilish, megan fox, becky g attend late-night nylon house after party at coachella, the best running water bottles according to marathoners, ruben östlund proposes requiring licenses to use cameras: ‘you need one for a gun’, coyotes’ name, logo to remain in phoenix while team relocates.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

‘always be my maybe’: film review.

Childhood best friends Ali Wong and Randall Park reunite as adults in their hometown of San Francisco in 'Always Be My Maybe,' a romantic comedy directed by Nahnatchka Khan.

By Beandrea July

Beandrea July

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Email
• Show additional share options
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Pinit
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Tumblr
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Print
• Share this article on Comment

During a public talk at Sundance 2017, Korean American actor Jon Cho, in conversation with Kumail Nanjiani, made a profound suggestion about Hollywood’s historic resistance to portraying Asian characters in romantic relationships with other Asians. “Is it the old narrative that love is the antithesis of our own culture…that if an Asian character falls in love he or she must break from their family? It doesn’t compute for us to see two Asians in love, because they look like one another.”

In the two years since there have been at least two examples of films about Asians who fall in love with other Asians without abandoning their families: Jon Chu’s 2018 hit Crazy Rich Asians and Netflix’s latest rom-com  Always Be My Maybe , from Nahnatchka Khan ( Fresh Off the Boat ) in her feature directorial debut. 

Release date: May 31, 2019

In Always Be My Maybe childhood best friends Sasha Tran ( Ali Wong ) and Marcus Kim ( Randall Park ) reunite as adults in their hometown of San Francisco after taking very different paths in life. Sasha is a successful chef who hops from coast to coast opening new restaurants and makes red carpet appearances as a celebrity chef. Marcus’ life, however, is still pretty much the same as it was in high school: He lives in the house he grew up in with his Dad (James Saito); drives the same beat up Corolla; and plays in a hip-hop rock band he started in his youth.

When Sasha returns to San Francisco to open her next restaurant, her assistant Veronica (Michelle Buteau) orchestrates a surprise reunion with Marcus, and from that moment onward, we’re on a journey that is an earnest, predictable celebration of Asian love.

While Crazy Rich Asians is a Cinderella-esque story of an Asian American woman from humble beginnings who meets her Asian prince from abroad, Always Be My Maybe is about middle-class characters. In San Francisco circa 1996 the middle-class families of Sasha and Marcus both operate local mom-and-pop businesses and are able to afford to buy a house, raise a family and live a decent life in a city (today considered trademarks of a long-lost era in San Francisco).

Related Stories

Ali wong on power of women behind the scenes on 'always be my maybe'.

Wong and Park both shine in their roles. Their longtime friendship in real-life dates back to when they were both students at UCLA and their comfort with each other translates nicely to the film. Although the script is uneven, there is hardly a moment where we don’t believe in these two. Indeed, they topline a refreshingly strong ensemble cast where it’s hard to identify even one throwaway performance from a group of mostly lesser-known actors. Both Vivian Bang ( White Rabbit ) as Marcus’ free-spirited hippie girlfriend and Saito as Marcus’ father, Harry, are some of the most memorable examples.

Since it’s an unofficial requirement that someone be seven months pregnant in an Ali Wong production, Buteau’s Veronica conveniently fills that role. But she doesn’t really escape the black best friend trope and Buteau’s usual style of boisterous and raunchy comedy sadly is noticeably absent here. Add to this what often feels like a random use of black music to anchor the film’s transitions and key plot points — D’Angelo’s bedroom classic “How Does It Feel,” Too Short’s Bay Area anthem “Blow the Whistle” and even the film’s titular reference to Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” — and at times the movie falls into the trap of splashing in blackness for superficial entertainment value, to signify cool. It is in these moments that you wonder what the film would be if it had leaned a little more into its Asian-ness.

The movie is an unabashed rom-com of the Netflix variety ( Set it Up, To All the Boys We’ve Loved Before, The Incredible Jessica James ) that is starting to crystalize as its own sub-genre. Yet it also feels like someone forced comedy onto a story that actually wanted to be more of a drama. Wong and Park move seamlessly between the serious and the silly, but even with their comedic chops the jokes often feel like an afterthought. Except for a few nice match cuts in the edit, Khan’s touch doesn’t do much for the film either. The visual language is generic and underdeveloped, and where it is most conspicuous — a sped-up shot of a city exterior, an offbeat split screen transition — it feels random.

And then there’s the elephant in the room: the complicated task of countering harmful images and stereotypes of Asian male sex appeal. The movie is definitely trying to break the unfair curse of the Asian guy in the friend zone without looking like that is what it’s doing. For example, in the scene where grown-up Sasha and Marcus finally make it to bed, Khan skips over the hot sex and moves abruptly to postcoital bliss, and it’s perplexing. At my screening, with an audience of almost all young Asian American filmgoers, the disappointment was palpable.

But so, too, was the joy of watching these characters move through a world that has been seen all too rarely on screen: a young Sasha arranging slices of spam on a plate, two sets of Asian parents who love and support their children’s life choices even though they aren’t doctors or lawyers and a clever, fun rap song by Marcus about tennis balls called “Bounce Back.”

The last scene feels like an episode of Chef’s Table  meets When Harry Met Sally , and here the film is operating at its tonal best. There’s also an earlier scene in a Cantonese-style diner that hits this same delightful note. The choice to make Sasha a successful chef who cooks Asian food is a brilliant one given how few Asian women are visible in this space — despite the fact that Asian women home cooks around the globe have perfected and maintained these cuisines for centuries.

Ultimately, the movie feels like the cinematic equivalent of your first time hosting a holiday meal for a huge extended family in a home you just bought: You’re juggling and trying to impress until the end of the night when you finally sit down to eat something yourself. In shouldering the weight of representing Asian love Always Be My Maybe doesn’t quite allow its capable leads to do what has made them stars: just be themselves.

Cast: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Keanu Reeves, Daniel Dae Kim, Michelle Buteau, Susan Park, James Saito, Vivian Bang, Karan Soni, Charlyne Yi, Miya Cech, Ashley Liao, Emerson Min, Jackson Geach

Director: Nahnatchka Khan

Screenwriters: Ali Wong, Randall Park, Michael Golamco               

Executive Producer: Brendan Ferguson

Producers: Nathan Kahane, Erin Westerman, Ali Wong, Randall Park

Director of photography: Tim Suhrstedt

Production designer: Richard Toyon

Editor: Lee Haxall

Costume designer: Leesa Evans

Rated PG-13,  101 minutes

THR Newsletters

Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Lori loughlin recalls working with keanu reeves on 1988’s ‘the night before:’ “he’s just a dream”, ‘triangle of sadness’ director ruben östlund proposes requiring a license to use cameras, matthew mcconaughey and kate hudson were “immediately comfortable” on ‘how to lose a guy in 10 days’ set, meet freddy macdonald, the 23-year-old ‘sew torn’ filmmaker who dazzled sxsw, shawn levy says hugh jackman predicted he and ryan reynolds would get along well, box office: ‘civil war’ ignites with $10.8m friday, now on course for $25m-plus opening.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Movie Reviews

Ali Wong and Randall Park stumble and shine in frothy rom-com Always Be My Maybe:  EW review

Leah Greenblatt is the critic at large at Entertainment Weekly , covering movies, music, books, and theater. She is a member of the New York Film Critics Circle, and has been writing for EW since 2004.

With all due respect to heavyweight Oscar bait like Roma , Netflix seems to have found its true purpose in original movie programming over the past year: clever, endlessly meme-able rom-coms meant to be watched on the floor in your weird pajamas.

Set It Up , Someone Great , To All the Boys I've Loved Before : these (and anything Sandra Bullock can put a bird or a blindfold on ) are what most subscribers come home to Postmates and a warm laptop for. Always Be My Maybe lands somewhere in the elder-millennial sweet spot of that continuum — and at the same time, joins a burgeoning if still too-small club of mainstream movies centered without any special pomp or circumstance on Asian-American characters.

Ali Wong (who first blew up on Netflix, fittingly, with her wildly popular 2016 standup special Baby Cobra ) stars as Sasha, and Fresh Off the Boat' s Randall Park is Marcus; best friends since they were elementary-school neighbors in San Francisco, the pair stumbles in a teenage transition to romance, and loses touch for over a decade. By then she's a successful chef in L.A. with an expanding restaurant empire and a fiancé (Daniel Dae Kim) straight out of a mail-order catalog for silver foxes; he's a stoner who still lives at home with his dad and plays dive bars with his high school band.

When Sasha comes back to the Bay Area to launch a new outpost of her Asian fusion cuisine, they reunite inevitably and — at least at first — unenthusiastically. Anyone with a well-creased rom-com road map knows where all this is headed, but in the meantime we have a smorgasbord of eccentric friends, lovers, and exes to meet (including Michelle Buteau as Sasha's wry, heavily pregnant manager, and Vivian Bang as the dreadlocked bohemian hanging off Marcus' neck like a medicated koala).

The stuff of a thousand future Twitter gifs, though, is a featured appearance by Keanu Reeves. It's better not to know too much about his role going in, other than that nearly everything about it has the winking air quotes of a movie star playing directly to his own storied Hollywood history, and that it is for the most part ridiculously fun.

That, and the weaponized charm of the two leads, keep the hastily assembled paper plane of a plot afloat, if not exactly flying straight for its 100-minute runtime. Director Nahnatcha Khan comes largely from television ( Fresh off the Boat , Don't Trust the B— in Apartment 23 ), and there's a small-screen feel to her set pieces, as well as a tendency to let sitcom-level gags go on too long.

To be fair, though, a small screen is exactly what the movie's audience will be sitting in front of, in whichever pants they want (or no pants at all) — happily watching Wong and Park stumble their way toward Maybe -dom. B

Related content:

• Ali Wong and Randall Park endure squeaky car sex in Always Be My Maybe trailer
• Ali Wong and Randall Park talk Always Be My Maybe, D'Angelo, and romance
• Ali Wong says Always Be My Maybe kiss with Daniel Dae Kim was 'even more exciting than kissing Keanu'

Related Articles

Screen Rant

Always be my maybe review: netflix's rom-com has laughs & charm to spare, netflix's always be my maybe is a charming, laugh out loud romantic comedy, bolstered by its leads' performances, and perfect for fans of the genre..

The last few years have seen a major revival of the romantic comedy movie genre, and Netflix has been integral to it. While Hollywood is still a little reluctant to theatrically release rom-coms, Netflix has vastly increased the number of romantic comedies it develops. The latest of these is  Always Be My Maybe , an excellent addition to Netflix's originals slate with a rom-com about two childhood friends who reconnect as adults. The film stars Ali Wong and Randall Park, who also served as co-writers alongside Michael Golamco ( Akira ), and it's the feature-length directorial debut of Nahnatchka Khan ( Fresh Off the Boat ). Netflix's Always Be My Maybe is a charming, laugh out loud romantic comedy, bolstered by its leads' performances, and perfect for fans of the genre.

Always Be My Maybe follows Sasha Tran (Wong) and Marcus Kim (Park), who were neighbors as children and became close friends after Marcus invited Sasha over for dinner when the latter's parents weren't home. However, a rift arises between the two after high school and they go 16 years without talking to one another. When they reconnect, Sasha is a massively successful celebrity chef engaged to her manager, Brandon Choi (Daniel Dae Kim), who returns to her hometown of San Francisco to open a new restaurant, while Marcus is still living at home, playing with his same band from high school and working with his father, Harry (James Saito). Sasha and Marcus live two very different lives and, although they resume their friendship from childhood, it remains to be seen if they'll be able to make a romantic relationship work.

The premise of Always Be My Maybe is a classic second chance romance setup, wherein the main characters get a second chance at love after something went wrong the first time around. Because it's such a well-worn storyline, Always Be My Maybe effectively taps into the comfort of a standard rom-com. The movie's ending may be entirely expected, but viewers don't watch rom-coms to be surprised; instead, they watch for the stories about how love conquers all. In that regard, Always Be My Maybe is a successful rom-com, nailing all the standard beats, while still offering a fresh perspective. Romantic comedies are a notoriously homogenous genre of film, and Always Be My Maybe  brings some much-needed diversity with a pair of Asian-American leads. Always Be My Maybe blends typical rom-com tropes with fresh ideas, offering a movie that fits well within the genre with enough originality to stand out.

Much of that originality comes from the duo of Wong and Park, who had a major hand in Always Be My Maybe as its co-writers with Golamco, in addition to acting as producers on the film. Both are veterans of comedy, with Wong having two successful Netflix stand-up specials and Park starring in Khan's Fresh Off the Boat . They each bring their brand of humor to Always Be My Maybe and blend it seamlessly, with Park excelling as the charmingly oafish slacker Marcus and Wong as the driven and passionate Sasha. Always Be My Maybe works because of Park and Wong and their on-screen chemistry, but the movie is further bolstered by its supporting cast, including Michelle Buteau as Sasha's friend Veronica and Karan Soni as Marcus' bandmate. Still, the real scene stealer is Keanu Reeves in a small role as himself (yes, seriously), that paves the way for some of the film's most hilarious moments, while still being integral to the story. Always Be My Maybe has assembled an impressive cast who work well together to bring the movie to life.

Ultimately, Always Be My Maybe is a solidly hilarious rom-com that further helps to revitalize the genre. The romantic comedies released in the last year or so have pushed the boundaries on what we expect, either in terms of telling stories about non-white characters or by toying with the conventions of the genre. Always Be My Maybe falls into the former category, rather than the latter, telling a story about two Asian-American characters from the perspective of Asian-American writers and a West Asian-American director. The movie puts a fresh perspective on rom-coms, offering viewers something they haven't quite seen before, even as much of the plot taps into classic tropes of the genre.

As a result, Always Be My Maybe  will appeal to fans of the genre and general Netflix audiences alike. In fact, it's a step above many of the Netflix Originals the streaming service releases with little fanfare. So those looking for a rom-com, or a comedy of any kind to watch on Netflix, will do well to check out Always Be My Maybe . It's an incredibly funny addition to the romantic comedy genre, from some of the most irreverent voices in comedy today. And while it includes plenty of originality so as to stand out from other films, it still provides the comfortingly familiar entertainment of a rom-com. Netflix's Always Be My Maybe isn't a maybe-watch, it's a must-watch.

Always Be My Maybe is now streaming on Netflix. It is 101 minutes long and rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug use/references, and language.

Let us know what you thought of the film in the comments section!

• Entertainment
• Review: <i>Always Be My Maybe</i> Is Maybe Almost Good. Is That Good Enough?

Review: Always Be My Maybe Is Maybe Almost Good. Is That Good Enough?

I t’s ridiculous that Hollywood can go for 25 years without making a single movie featuring a predominantly Asian cast: That’s the number of years stretching between 1993’s The Joy Luck Club and last year’s Crazy Rich Asians, and there’s no excuse for it. But while movies need more representation of all kinds of people, we should also be demanding that those movies aspire to a certain level of quality. The Netflix romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe has so much going for it: Two appealing leads, Ali Wong and Randall Park (both of whom also wrote the script, with Micheal Golamco); an assortment of likable supporting players; and a sly, witty cameo from Keanu Reeves. Some of the writing is sparkling. Joke for joke, there’s probably just enough to keep you laughing. But if Always Be My Maybe isn’t terrible, it’s still lackluster enough to make you feel that underserved and underrepresented audiences deserve more.

Park and Wong play Marcus and Sasha, San Francisco natives who were fast friends as kids and into their teen years, but who have grown apart in adulthood. As a child, Sasha was largely left on her own by her hardworking immigrant parents; she found a welcoming warmth in Marcus’s household, and his mother, Judy (Susan Park), would let her help with the cooking: “We Koreans use scissors for everything,” she explains, snipping away at a handful of green onions as she prepares a kimchi stew.

But when Marcus and Sasha are teenagers, Judy dies suddenly. Sasha tries to comfort her best friend; the two end up sleeping together, with disastrous results. Fast-forward 15 years: Sasha has become an enormously successful chef in Los Angeles. Marcus has stayed put in San Francisco, working in his father’s air-conditioning business. At night, he plays in a band that’s going nowhere (it’s called Hello Peril), and that seems to suit him just fine; he believes his widowed dad, Harry (played, charmingly, by James Saito), needs him close by.

Sasha and Marcus reconnect, not-so-accidentally, when Sasha moves back to San Francisco temporarily to start a new restaurant. Things are rocky at first; Marcus has a loopy, artsy girlfriend (Vivian Bang, spacey and bright) who’s nice enough but all wrong for him. Sasha, recently dumped by her way-too-slick fiancé (Daniel Dae Kim), is trying to date—a possible dream guy seems dreamy, until he isn’t. Eventually, as you’ve probably guessed, the sparks reignite between Marcus and Sasha, and the sex is much better the second time around. But the story needs something to drive them apart again: Insert predictable, manufactured crisis here.

The plot points in Always Be My Maybe —the directorial debut of Nahnatchka Khan, who has worked in TV as a writer and producer—are strung together in a way that’s rote and predictable. That’s not to say that romantic comedies need an excessive number of twists; the basic formula is one of the great pleasures of the genre by itself. But you want to enjoy spending time with characters, not feeling that you’re simply stumbling with them toward some predestined finish line. Always Be My Maybe has that made-for-the-small-screen quality, almost a movie but not quite—it feels rushed, rough and a bit too casual, as if the script needed just another draft or two. The sets could have used a few more dollars thrown their way, and some of the scenes might have benefited from a few more takes. It’s hard not to feel that audiences deserves better.

Still, some of the jokes in Always Be My Maybe work marvelously. Marcus’s dad is star-struck when he sees Sasha, rich and successful, for the first time in years: “You’re like our own Asian Oprah!” And then, a beat later, he asks sincerely: “How much money do you have now?” Attending the lavish birthday party her parents are throwing for their eight-year-old godchild, Sasha reflects on her own upbringing, grousing, “Do you know what my parents gave me for my eighth birthday? Flip-flops.” And Reeves is wise, wicked and wonderful in his small role. While dining in one of those tony modern minimalist establishments, he politely quizzes the waiter, “Let me ask, do you have any dishes that play with time? With the concept of time?” It’s one of those perfectly silly lines that hangs there in space, in search of a better movie. For now, it’s parked in Always Be My Maybe, and that will just have to do.

Correction, June 3

The original version of this story misstated the background of the character Sasha’s parents. Their country of origin is never explicitly stated.

More Must-Reads From TIME

• Exclusive: Google Workers Revolt Over $1.2 Billion Contract With Israel
• Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
• Stop Looking for Your Forever Home
• The Sympathizer Counters 50 Years of Hollywood Vietnam War Narratives
• The Bliss of Seeing the Eclipse From Cleveland
• Hormonal Birth Control Doesn’t Deserve Its Bad Reputation
• The Best TV Shows to Watch on Peacock
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Contact us at [email protected]

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

‘Always Be My Maybe’ Review: Ali Wong and Randall Park Deliver Netflix’s Next Great Rom-com

Kate erbland, editorial director.

• Share on Facebook
• Share to Flipboard
• Share on LinkedIn
• Show more sharing options
• Submit to Reddit
• Post to Tumblr
• Print This Page
• Share on WhatsApp

By the time Nahnatchka Khan’s breezy directorial debut “ Always Be My Maybe ” offers up a hearty wink at “Pretty Woman,” the Netflix original feature has already earned its stripes as the online streamer’s next great rom-com. Khan’s film pulls liberally from the genre playbook — stars and co-writers Ali Wong and Randall Park haven’t been shy about the film’s early inspirations, especially classics like “When Harry Met Sally” — but it also offers its own charms, thanks to Wong and Park, who delight both on-screen and on the page. And while “Always Be My Maybe” doesn’t reinvent its genre, it’s a welcome addition that contributes cultural diversity to a typically white-dominated screen space, and leans into tropes that have always made rom-coms (well, good rom-coms) such a joy to watch.

Though most of the film follows life-long friends Sasha (Wong) and Marcus (Park) after they reconnect in adulthood, Khan’s film lays out some essential groundwork in its opening moments, taking its audience back to 1996 and through 2000, when they were just a couple of neighborhood pals getting up to kiddie high jinks. Sasha (played by Miya Cech and Ashley Liao in her pre-teen and teen years) is a latchkey kid who is mostly left to her own devices by her workaholic parents. Cheery Marcus (played by Emerson Min and Jackson Geach in flashbacks) lives next door, and is all too happy to bring Sasha into the family fold. That includes his beloved mom Judy (Susan Park), an accomplished home chef who nurtures Sasha’s love of cooking, and his steady dad Harry (James Saito).

As they enter their later teen years (with Wong in a pair of smack-tastic braces and Park donning a youthful shaggy wig), a horrible tragedy inspires an awkward sexual experience between the pair that enters instant classic territory (the entire film is filled with period-appropriate jams, and this scenes offers a D’Angelo-centric callout that’s funny and  sexy). That experience breeds its own terrible aftermath: a falling out that keeps Sasha and Marcus apart for nearly two decades.

When the pair are finally brought back together, it’s in service to still more weirdness: Sasha has become a major success as a celebrity chef, while Marcus hasn’t even left his childhood home, content to care for his dad and smoke weed with his long-time bandmates. A less warmly crafted film would likely play up the tremendous differences between the pair for cheap laughs: Sasha would be a fame-hungry striver and Marcus would be a boring burnout, but Wong and Park’s script (penned alongside Michael Golamco) knows and loves its characters, and is never content to reduce them to simple stereotypes. For all her ambition and success, Sasha’s personal life is lacking (consider the moment she dips into a walk-in freezer for a big cry that’s both very funny and moving), and while Marcus is struggling in his low-stakes life, much of his time is spent in service to his beloved dad.

Sasha is back in SF to open a fancy new restaurant, while Marcus is tasked with repairing her rental home’s air conditioning. They are in very different places, but Wong and Park’s natural chemistry and obvious affection for each other allows the duo to slip back into their old tricks with believable results. The film’s script hits some bumps when it attempts to dramatize big, key changes — Sasha goes from loving her sexy fiancé (Daniel Dae Kim) to hating his guts based on a handful of Facebook photos, Marcus confronts major feelings after a quick chat with his dad — but the small scale stuff works well enough to keep the film ticking along to its winning final act.

Before it gets there, however, “Always Be My Maybe” loads up on fun supporting characters, from Casey Wilson as a ditzy designer and Vivian Bang as Marcus’ outrageous girlfriend to Karan Soni to Michelle Buteau as Marcus and Sasha’s other  best pals, who have well-rounded personalities and motivations of their own. Then there’s Keanu Reeves, who appears as Sasha’s unexpected (and very horny) new paramour, and adds a necessary jolt of wacky humor to a somewhat messy second act, helping to bump up the laughs just before they fizzle. Reeves only makes a few appearances in the film, but his energy — and the wild, uproarious jokes that Wong, Park, and Golamco have written for him — lifts the entire outing, allowing it to push forward into its best moments.

Though it’s been lingering at the edges of the film the entire time, “Always Be My Maybe” doesn’t find its true narrative purpose until most of the film has played out. The real tension, both romantic and otherwise, emerges after Sasha and Marcus have given into temptation (very “When Harry Met Sally”!) and are forced to face the repercussions. (Of note: Khan, Park, and Wong must be lauded for building a genuinely sexy sex scene that starts in funny, terrible circumstances before moving into actual emotion; it’s a satisfying sequence that other rom-coms could learn a lesson from.)

The real sticking point for Sasha and Marcus isn’t their past, no matter how much they try to dig it up — it’s their futures. Sasha’s ambition comes from the heart (much of it even comes from Marcus’ own mother) but it’s also what puts her dreams into opposition with Marcus, who appears to come from the Lloyd Dobler school of career concepts (“What I really want to do with my life, what I want to do for a living, is I want to be with your daughter. I’m good at it.”).

Pulled apart by the people they used to be, the people they think they still are, Sasha and Marcus must do what every good rom-com asks of its leads: fall in love with themselves, work towards being worthy of each other, and then dip back into movie-ready love. It’s not new, but it’s just as powerful (and, yes, still funny) as it ever was.

“Always Be My Maybe” is available to stream on Netflix today.

Most Popular

You may also like.

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Explaining the News to Our Kids

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

Always be my maybe, common sense media reviewers.

Upbeat romcom has some swearing, sex, drugs.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Relationships based on solid foundations can survi

Sasha is ambitious, successful, bright, and recove

Two men scuffle, mostly for comic effect, includin

Comic lovemaking in the back of a car (kissing, gr

Language includes "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," "hel

Burger King, Adidas, Tom Ford, Uber ride share, U-

Characters drink in multiple social settings; one

Parents need to know that Always Be My Maybe is an upbeat romantic comedy about childhood BFFs that stars former Fresh Off the Boat colleagues Randall Park and Ali Wong (they also co-wrote it, and FOTB exec producer Nahnatchka Khan directs) . It also features lots of sumptuous food…

Positive Messages

Relationships based on solid foundations can survive even time and distance. Values promoted: family, integrity, working hard toward goals, and compromise as a positive step toward reconciliation. Open communication can help solve problems and misunderstandings.

Positive Role Models

Sasha is ambitious, successful, bright, and recovers her early core values of family and love. Marcus isn't traditionally successful, but he finds purpose and self acceptance. Very positive, warm portrait of Asian American families and culture, albeit with some stereotyping (notably Sasha's parents). Ethnic diversity throughout.

Violence & Scariness

Two men scuffle, mostly for comic effect, including a punch to the face. A character breaks a vase over his head (a little blood seen). Arguing/shouting.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Comic lovemaking in the back of a car (kissing, groping, limbs flailing, aftermath shown). Later, characters kiss, engage in foreplay, and are seen in bed with bare shoulders after sex. References to sexual experiences, condoms, same- and opposite-sex relationships, virginity, masturbation, and multiple sex partners. A drunk man's buttocks are seen when he pees in public.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "s--t," "a--hole," "bitch," "hell," "Jesus," "douche," "d--k," "butthole," and one use of "f--king."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Burger King, Adidas, Tom Ford, Uber ride share, U-Haul, Food and Wine magazine.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Characters drink in multiple social settings; one instance of drunken behavior. Marcus smokes marijuana frequently, with no significant negative judgment.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Always Be My Maybe is an upbeat romantic comedy about childhood BFFs that stars former Fresh Off the Boat colleagues Randall Park and Ali Wong (they also co-wrote it, and FOTB exec producer Nahnatchka Khan directs) . It also features lots of sumptuous food and a thoughtful look at contemporary Asian American families. Expect sexual situations -- with kissing, passionate embraces, post-sex scenes in bed, and a comic back-seat-of-the-car hook-up -- as well as frank, casual conversations about virginity, masturbation, condoms, multiple partners, and more. Language includes "s--t," "bitch," "d--k," one use of "f--k," and more. Characters drink in social settings, and one of the main characters smokes pot in several scenes (with little negative judgment/consequence); he also gets drunk and pees onstage. The movie may tell a familiar tale -- "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" -- but in this case, the girl calls most of the shots in the relationship. And there are clear messages about the value of family, integrity, hard work, compromise, and communication. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (7)
• Kids say (4)

Based on 7 parent reviews

A fun film about SF, food and Reeves!

Has some funny parts., what's the story.

In ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE, childhood best friends from San Francisco lose touch after an awkward teenage sexual encounter. Sixteen years later, Sasha ( Ali Wong ) is a celebrity chef in Los Angeles, and Marcus ( Randall Park ) still lives at home and works with his widowed dad, Harry ( James Saito ). Marcus is in the same band and playing in the same neighborhood dive bars that he's always played. When Sasha returns to San Francisco to open a new restaurant, their paths cross again. Both have a significant other in their lives, but sparks still fly. It's scary this time, though, and that awkward moment from the past just doesn't go away. Most important, their lives and values have evolved so differently -- Sasha is now a sophisticated red-carpet gal, while Marcus is unimpressed by grandeur. Still there's something between them that they can't ignore. Missteps and unorthodox relationships continue to keep them apart -- what will it take for these two people so obviously meant for each other to find their way home?

Is It Any Good?

What could have been a routine, predictable fairy tale stands out thanks to spirited performances, spot-on cultural observations, and an appearance by a movie star eager to poke fun at himself. Always Be My Maybe is a collaborative effort by people who had a common goal and let vanity fall away to find the humor in two characters stumbling their way toward a lifelong connection. And the food, whether gloriously pretentious or marvelously homey, is a tasty side dish to the main story.

That said, it's a good but not great movie. There's minimal stereotyping (Sasha's parents bear the brunt of it), but for the most part the characterizations are thin and unsurprising. And situations are often farcical, though appealing. It's still worth a look, and it's great to see another mainstream movie tackling representation in a positive way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about diversity in mainstream movies. Do you think it's improving? Why or why not? Do you watch and appreciate films about cultures other than your own?

When did you know how Always Be My Maybe would end? How does being able to guess at parts of a plot affect your enjoyment of a movie?

What role does sex play in the story? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.

How are communication and integrity important to the film's messages?

Food is an essential element in this movie. How did the filmmakers relate the different meals, kitchens, restaurants, and cooking styles to the two main characters? How do you think cuisine plays a symbolic role in the storytelling?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : May 31, 2019
• Cast : Ali Wong , Randall Park
• Director : Nahnatchka Khan
• Inclusion Information : Female directors, Gay directors, Middle Eastern/North African directors, Female actors, Asian actors
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Comedy
• Topics : Cooking and Baking , Friendship
• Character Strengths : Communication , Integrity
• Run time : 101 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : sexual content, drug use/references and language
• Last updated : February 18, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

Crazy Rich Asians

When Harry Met Sally

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

The Big Sick

Romantic comedies, romance movies, related topics.

• Communication
• Cooking and Baking

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

• User Reviews

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews

• User Ratings
• External Reviews
• Metacritic Reviews
• Full Cast and Crew
• Release Dates
• Official Sites
• Company Credits
• Filming & Production
• Technical Specs
• Plot Summary
• Plot Keywords
• Parents Guide

Did You Know?

• Crazy Credits
• Alternate Versions
• Connections
• Soundtracks

Photo & Video

• Photo Gallery
• Trailers and Videos

Related Items

• External Sites

Related lists from IMDb users

Recently Viewed

Notice: All forms on this website are temporarily down for maintenance. You will not be able to complete a form to request information or a resource. We apologize for any inconvenience and will reactivate the forms as soon as possible.

• DVD & Streaming

Always Be My Maybe

• Comedy , Romance

Content Caution

In Theaters

• May 29, 2019
• Ali Wong as Sasha Tran; Randall Park as Marcus Kim; James Saito as Harry; Michelle Buteau as Veronica; Vivian Bang as Jenny; Keanu Reeves as Keanu Reeves; Susan Park as Judy; Daniel Dae Kim as Brandon Choi; Karan Soni as Tony; Charlyne Yi as Ginger; Lyrics Born as Quasar

Home Release Date

• Nahnatchka Khan

Distributor

Movie review.

San Francisco holds a lot of gems, but none quite like the friendship between Sasha Tran and Marcus Kim.

Besties since childhood, Sasha always preferred Marcus, and his loving parents, over her constantly busy mom and dad. She found comfort in their routine, their love and their food . Marcus’ mom, Judy, taught Sasha how to cook authentic Korean dishes that could make you feel at home with just one magical bite.

Maybe Marcus and Sasha would have been an item if Judy hadn’t passed away and things stayed the same. But that’s not what happened.

These days, Sasha is a famous chef, and she’s dating her hotshot manager and living in Los Angeles. Her goal is to expand her restaurant franchise throughout the United States, which will take some relocating.

And what better place to spread her love of food than her hometown of San Francisco! Sure, it’s a place she’s tried to forget. But forgetting isn’t easy, especially when your ex-best friend unknowingly shows up on your front porch to install your new air conditioner.

As a flood of emotions wash over Sasha and Marcus, they both realize there’s still a spark between. But only time will tell if a spark is enough for them to leave their current significant others, as well as past hurts, to once again pursue the most important relationship either of them has ever had.

Positive Elements

Sasha is a strong, determined, focused woman with plans to become the best chef she can be. That said, she has a tendency to avoid real emotional growth. She needs Marcus to keep pushing her in that direction, to be honest with her, especially because a lot of her other relationships are devoid of real depth.

Marcus, for his part, is a loving guy who wants to be around to support his father. However, Marcus can also be self-focused, lazy and complacent. Because of these character weaknesses, he needs Sasha to encourage him and believe in him, even when he doesn’t believe in himself.

Marcus grew up in a loving home with kind, thoughtful parents. When Sasha started coming around as a child, Marcus’ parents took her in and loved her like one their own, something Sasha appreciates deeply.

Veronica, Sasha’s best friend, is a loyal business partner who challenges Sasha to grow. Sasha’s parents work to repair their relationship with their daughter.

Spiritual Elements

Jenny, Marcus’ girlfriend, is a “free spirit.” She believes herself to be a spiritual being. We hear references to the Eastern spiritual concepts of “chi” and “yin and yang.” Jenny tells Sasha that she and Marcus are married, spiritually and sexually, if not legally.

A restaurant is said to be “non-denominational and trans-denominational.” A woman wishes “terrible karma” upon an ex-boyfriend. A song says “like a god you can call me Hercules.” Two young kids go trick-or-treating for Halloween. Two guys joke about “suppressing the darkness” while smoking weed.

Sexual Content

Marcus and Sasha have sex twice in the film. Although neither scene is graphic, the first shows the couple as teens making out and moving to the backseat of a car. Later, the car rocks back and forth. We see Sasha in her bra afterward. In the second scene, Marcus and Sasha make out as adults. The scene then cuts ahead, and we see the two of them in bed together, covered by a sheet.

As teens, Marcus and Sasha talk about a variety of sexual topics, such as how to put on condoms (in health class), various types of kissing, sexual sounds and virginity. Other conversations (and jokes) include topics such as sex, masturbation, reproductive organs, genital piercings, tampons, affairs, hickies and slut shaming.

Sasha’s best friend, Veronica, is a pregnant, lesbian woman who prepares for the birth of her (and her partner’s) baby throughout the film. Veronica talks about postpartum recovery, as well as the aches and pains of pregnancy. Sasha considers having a baby on her own.

A woman is said to have grown up with three mothers. A man says he’s a LGBTQIA ally and believes “love is love.” A transgender restaurant employee works as a host.

Sasha flashes Marcus (with her bra on) at a concert. Two men are shirtless at a spa. A few women wear slightly revealing dresses. Marcus urinates on a speaker (we see his rear and a blurred, very brief glimpse of his genitals from afar). Couples kiss, hug and flirt.

Violent Content

Marcus goes head to head with one of Sasha’s love interests. That guy smashes a glass vase over Marcus’ head (blood trickles down his forehead), violently threatens him, encourages Marcus to punch him (which he eventually does) and puts Marcus in a chokehold.

Marcus’ mom passes away after a tragic accident (we see family members at a memorial). Marcus jokingly says that he’ll make a “body drop” if he sees another hipster. He also says, “I’d rather shoot myself in the face” than eat pretentious food. Sasha jokes about her future baby daddy “getting trampled at a women’s march” and threatens a young woman who looks at her boyfriend.

Crude or Profane Language

God’s name is misused more than 10 times, including one pairing with “d–mit.” Jesus’ name is misused twice. The f-word is heard once, and the s-word nearly 20 times. (In one instance, a woman crudely tells an ex-boyfriend to eat “s— and die”).

“B–ch,” is used more than 10 times as well. Other profanity includes multiple uses of “h—,” “a–hole,” “a–” and “d–k.” A man is called a “douche” and a “butt hole” a few times. A woman says “screw it” and uses a crude hand gesture. A few of these profanities are heard in various songs throughout the film.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Marcus smokes marijuana throughout the film; he’s joined by a friend in one of these scenes. We see a blunt sitting on a nightstand, and Marcus passes his friend a bong. Men and women alike drink beer, champagne, wine and hard liquor. Marcus is drunk in one scene.

Other Negative Elements

Marcus responds badly in many ways to his mother’s untimely death. Depression robs him of his drive to excel. And he often treats his friends poorly, using his circumstances as an excuse for his self-centered behaviors.

Sasha can also be selfish and disconnected, and she gravitates toward men who are shallow, rude and self-absorbed. Sasha feels wounded by her parents, who were also overly busy for a great deal of her childhood.

A woman makes a joke about flatulence, comments that “Chinese people” illegally use handicap stickers on their vehicles and wishes her boyfriend would “get malaria.” We hear a couple of other race-related jokes as well. Someone confesses to stealing.

Inspired by Mariah Carey’s 1995 hit song, “Always Be My Baby,” comedian Ali Wong’s Always Be My Maybe is a romantic comedy focused on how a lifelong friendship ultimately leads to love.

Ali Wong is joined by Fresh Off the Boat’ s Randall Park (as well as a guest apparance by Keanu Reeves). Slowly, the movie’s main characters learn some important lessons about family, friendship, perseverance and adapting to life’s curveballs.

But even with compelling actors who know how to score a laugh, there’s still plenty of content to work through here. Language and sexual jokes permeate many a scene, marijuana is smoked freely and all the other content you’ll find here solidifies the fact that this hit movie certainly isn’t one for the whole family.

Kristin Smith

Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).

Latest Reviews

The Long Game

The Greatest Hits

Weekly reviews straight to your inbox.

The 10 Best Netflix Original Comedy Movies, Ranked

Netflix is home to some of the funniest comedy movies.

While the streaming era as a whole has provided a great deal of engaging and iconic original content across a wide variety of different streaming services, Netflix has continued to be at the forefront when it comes to its original content. The platform has proven time and time again why they are the king of the streaming era, with its multitude of original films being just one way that they've held dominance over other streaming services. While Netflix has provided many iconic titles in a wide variety of genres, some of their strongest offerings are easily in the realm of comedy .

Ranging from exclusive installments in massive comedy film series, or new stories brought to life by the modern day's biggest and brightest comedic filmmakers, there is no shortage of brilliant original comedies on the platform . When it comes to the absolute best comedies that the platform has released, the films have been highly regarded and considered some of the most successful and beloved comedy films of recent memory.

10 'Always Be My Maybe' (2019)

Director: nahnatchka khan.

One of the better romantic comedies on the platform, Always Be My Maybe follows the story of Sasha ( Ali Wong ) and Marcus ( Randall Park ), two childhood friends who drifted apart after an awkward fling. However, fifteen years later, fate has seemingly brought the two together again, yet the stark differences between Sasha's life as a world-famous chef and Marcus's average, local lifestyle prove to come with its own difficulties. However, it's undeniable that the two still have sparks, so they do their best to make this second chance at a relationship work.

As with all great romantic comedies, the crux and biggest strength of Always Be My Maybe comes from the genuine connection and on-screen chemistry between Wong and Park. Both in terms of the genuine romance that the characters build throughout the film, and acting as great comedic foils that constantly bounce off of one another, the duo are on-screen dynamite. As far as Netflix's original romantic comedy movies, Always Be My Maybe is easily one of their best .

Always Be My Maybe

Watch on Netflix

9 'Don't Look Up' (2021)

Director: adam mckay.

Acting as an in-your-face satire of climate change, Don't Look Up follows two low-level astronomers who come upon the terrifying discovery that a meteor is set to crash into Earth in six months. In an attempt to warn everyone about the impending doom of the planet, they attempt to go on a press tour to spread the word and hopefully get a solution rolling. However, much to their dismay, most of the world either doesn't believe their claims, or even worse, doesn't care.

Adam McKay 's recent comedy films have always been able to successfully toe the line between biding and cutthroat satire with a signature, broadly appealing style of humor that greatly defined his earlier works. Don't Look Up acts as the true pinnacle and combination of the two eras of his career , able to feature both relevant social commentary with absurdist characters and caricatures to create a distinct viewing experience. While not everybody's cup of tea, it's hard to deny the reach and impact that the film has had, being one of Netflix's most successful films of all time , comedy or otherwise.

Don't Look Up

8 'the meyerowitz stories (new and selected)' (2017), director: noah baumbach.

One of many distinct collaborations between Netflix and acclaimed director Noah Baumbach , The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) follows the estranged Meyerowitz family during a long-awaited reunion. With the father of the family, Harold Meyerowitz, having an event in New York meant to celebrate his artistic work, the rest of the family, including the likes of Adam Sandler , Ben Stiller , and Emma Thompson , come together for a celebration. It doesn't take long, however, before the family falls back on the infighting and division that had kept them away to begin with.

While not as award-winning or recognized as Baumbach's other iconic film for Netflix, Marriage Story , The Meyerowitz Stories significantly leans more into Baumbach's talents as a comedic writer. His signature writing style combined with the all-star cast of comedic legends comes to create one of the most distinct and consistently hilarious comedies that Netflix has ever released . It's a film that also features as much thematic resonance and powerful themes of familial ties and division as it does hilarious comedic moments that continue to stay funny on every rewatch.

The Meyerowitz Stories

7 'the half of it' (2020), director: alice wu.

The Half of It is a coming-of-age romantic comedy that follows Ellie, a reclusive straight-A student who has spent her high school years isolated from the rest of the student body. She soon finds herself being hired by straight-D student Paul, who needs help in charming the most popular girl in school and wants to use Ellie's writing abilities to make the perfect love letters. All seems good at first before Ellie soon realizes that she is also beginning to form feelings for the same girl that Paul is into.

While many modern coming-of-age movies have floundered because of how inauthentic and unrelatable their characters were to modern teens, The Half of It succeeds where its contemporaries largely fail . The film takes a much more grounded and realistic approach to the classic teen romance story, showing that it's OK when not everything goes according to plan , as the rocky teenage years are unpredictable and are never perfect for anyone. It has a level of respect for its audience that is rare in teen movies, making it a highly commendable take on the genre.

The Half of It

6 'bad trip' (2021), director: kitao sakurai.

A wild hidden camera comedy in the same vein as Borat and Jackass , Bad Trip follows best friends Chris ( Eric Andre ) and Bud ( Lil Rel Howery ) as they embark on a wild road trip across the country. While on their journey, they play part in a multitude of crazy pranks and shenanigans that pull real-life people into the mayhem of the story, as they adjust the story based on their interactions. At the same time, the duo is being chased down by Bud's sister Trina (Tiffany Haddish), who is getting up to her own inklings of chaos while hunting the duo down.

While there have been a multitude of failed attempts over the years to recapture the same manic, pranking hidden camera energy of Borat, the only comedian who was truly going to be able to come close to this manic energy was Eric Andre. Andre's experience and similar absurdist prank-based humor seen in his show, The Eric Andre Show , is simply brought to the next level in Bad Trip , with a cinematic budget giving them limitless possibilities for the chaos that unfolds . Especially for fans of Andre's other works, Bad Trip is a must-watch comedy experience.

5 'Do Revenge' (2022)

Director: jennifer kaytin robinson.

Acting as a modern-day love letter to the classic clique-based teen movies of the late 90s and early 2000s, Do Revenge perfectly recaptures the manic and cutthroat comedic energy of films like Mean Girls and Clueless . The film follows the story of Drea, a former queen bee at her private high school who has her entire social life crashing down around her, losing her status and all of her friends in the process. However, after meeting with new student Eleanor, the two hatch a scheme to get revenge on each other's worst enemies, earning their way back to the top in the process.

Do Revenge is easily one of the best, most underrated teen movies in recent memory, acting as a perfect modernization of the classic revenge-based teen movie . Even more than simply rehashing and revitalizing a once popular trend, Do Revenge builds upon and twists the conventions of its premise to create a wildly engaging and highly unpredictable story. Still, comedy has always been the strongest aspect of these films, and Do Revenge , much like the films that inspired it, is chock full of quotable lines and hilariously memorable moments that make it designed for endless rewatches .

4 'Paddleton' (2019)

Director: alexandre lehmann.

Paddleton accomplishes the difficult task of finding the humor and pleasant moments in one of the darkest and dreariest things a human can go through. The film follows the story of Michael and Andy, two misfit neighbors who have become the closest of friends, playing games of Paddleton together and watching their favorite kung fu movie. Their friendship however is now taking an emotional turn, as Michael is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and requests Andy's help in making his last days on Earth worthwhile.

It's easy to mess up a film like Paddleton, as the stark contrast between awkward, uncomfortable comedy and a genuinely uncomfortable experience can easily be misconstrued by an audience. However, what makes the film work so exceptionally well are the performances and genuine chemistry between Mark Duplass and Ray Romano , who sell their years-long friendship with constant riffing and genuine back and forth. Even when it gets to its most emotional and heartbreaking moments, the film still understands the importance of humor, even in the darkest of times .

3 'Dolemite Is My Name' (2019)

Director: craig brewer.

Dolemite Is My Name is a comedic biopic that follows the rise of Rudy Ray Moore (played by Eddie Murphy ), the creative visionary behind the iconic pimp character of Dolemite in the 1970s. As the character and Moore attain more and more popularity, it entices Moore to take the next step, creating a feature film out of the Dolemite character, and creating a cinematic experience for an untapped audience. The production comes with its own difficulties and chaotic moments, as the industry veterans simply don't understand Moore's vision for the film.

Dolemite Is My Name is able to effectively balance its comedic aspects with its biopic statue to make for a perfect blending of the two, telling a wild and comedic story without shying away from the importance and merit behind Moore's work . The film works as well as it does thanks to the exceptional lead performance from Murphy, who easily provides one of the best performances of his career, fully adopting and tapping into Moore as a person.

Dolemite Is My Name!

2 'glass onion' (2022), director: rian johnson.

The highly anticipated sequel to one of the most beloved and recognizable whodunit films in recent memory , Glass Onion follows another wild, high-class murder mystery helmed by detective Benoit Blanc ( Daniel Craig ). Blanc finds himself invited to a private island birthday bash for a massive tech billionaire, alongside an eclectic group of his close friends and confidants. However, after realizing that the host didn't actually send him an invite, it becomes apparent that someone on the island may be looking to murder the billionaire during his own party.

Much like Knives Out before it, Glass Onion is a hilarious deconstruction and subversion of the whodunit genre , telling a wild and convention-breaking story with a multitude of brilliant twists and turns. It also keeps the same level of top-notch comedy that was present in the first film, riffing on the disconnect between the wealthy elite and the common folk, with a distinct focus on social media and celebrity status this time around. It's the most prominent example of Netflix picking up the reigns for an already existing comedy franchise, and showing that under their banner it has the potential to be a legendary, long-lasting series.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

1 'the ballad of buster scruggs' (2018), directors: joel coen, ethan coen.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a hilarious collection of six different short stories taking place in the old Wild West during the end of the Civil War. The stories range from tales of fortune and glory to those of unfortunate fate and death, each chock-full of the distinct comedic wit, charm, and thematic resonance that is expected from the Coen Brothers. While each of the six stories acts separate from one another, they share some distinct overarching themes and concepts, coming together to create an outstanding full package.

The Coen Brothers have attained legendary status over the years for their distinct approach to comedy and storytelling , with The Ballad of Buster Scruggs only continuing to show off their strengths as writers and directors. Each of the six stories is hilarious and effective enough to work on their own , yet when combined creates a legendary singular experience that easily justifies the cinematic approach. While Netflix has attempted this similar style of an autistic approach to an anthology of short films with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar , The Ballad of Buster Scruggs accomplished this not only first, but better.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

NEXT: The 10 Most Underrated Netflix Comedy Movies, Ranked

10 Most Underrated Netflix Comedy Movies, Ranked

N etflix has easily proven itself to be the titan of the streaming era, with a wide variety of interesting and creative original works that have been released by them over the years. Nowhere has this been more apparent than in the multitude of comedy films released on the platform, ranging from massively successful films like Glass Onion to endlessly rewatchable films like Klaus , there is no shortage of creative and high-quality original comedies. However, comedy is one of the broadest genres in the medium of film, and with such a massive lineup of comedy films released by the service, a select few were always going to fall through the cracks.

Whether they were too strange and non-commercial for general audiences, weren't given the marketing push that they deserved, or were quickly forgotten by Netflix's users, there are a great number of reasons why a comedy can become overlooked on the platform. It's a genuine shame, as there are a high number of great, hilarious comedies that deserve their own time in the spotlight, standing out as some of the best and most underrated films that the platform has to offer .

'Mascots' (2016)

Director: christopher guest.

One of the first original comedy films on the platform, Mascots acts as a modern rendition of the classic Christopher Guest mockumentary style, following in the footsteps of films like For Your Consideration and Best in Show . The film follows an extensive cast of quirky and dysfunctional mascots, all coming together to compete for the honorable title of World's Best Mascot. Each act has its own difficulties and uphill battles when it comes to competing, as only one mascot can be awarded the coveted title.

Mascots is easily one of the most forgotten of Guest's signature comedic works, and while it isn't as masterfully crafted as some of his other works, it still stays true to his signature style of outlandish mockumentaries full of character . The wide and expansive cast format means that at least one of the storylines is sure to comedically land with an audience , especially when the likes of Jane Lynch , Parker Posey , and Fred Willard are a part of the revolving door of characters.

Release Date October 11, 2016

Director Christopher Guest

Cast John Michael Higgins, Bob Balaban, Parker Posey, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Fred Willard

Main Genre Comedy

Watch on Netflix

'Vampires vs. the Bronx' (2020)

Director: oz rodriguez.

Vampires vs. the Bronx is a coming-of-age horror comedy that follows a trio of best friends living their lives day by day in a rapidly gentrifying Bronx neighborhood. As if normal gentrification wasn't difficult enough for a community to deal with, when the kids begin to examine the company behind it all, they uncover a plot much more sinister and supernatural. The new faces taking over the neighborhood happen to be killer vampires, with a dangerous end goal of literally sucking all the life and blood out of their community.

The coming-of-age comedy has been a tried and true subgenre for decades, with Vampires vs. the Bronx perfectly understanding the inherent charm required to make these types of stories work . The film especially harkens back to classic family films of the 80s and 90s, where the stakes were high, and the characters were faced with violence and scares around every corner. The chemistry between the main trio especially makes the film stand out, as they work perfectly off of one another, which combined with a wild vampire premise, results in a great deal of fun and memorable moments.

Vampires vs. The Bronx

Release Date October 2, 2020

Director Oz Rodriguez

Cast Coco Jones, Method Man, Shea Whigham, Gregory Diaz IV, Jaden Michael, Sarah Gadon

Rating PG-13

Runtime 85 minutes

'Always Be My Maybe' (2019)

Director: nahnatchka khan.

One of many underrated romantic comedies in recent memory , Always Be My Maybe follows the story of Sasha and Marcus, who childhood friends who have a falling out after an awkward attempt at romance. Now 15 years later, Sasha is a world-famous chef while Marcus is still stuck in their hometown, yet the duo miraculously find themselves reconnecting, possibly even seeing old sparks rekindle themselves. However, the stark differences between their current lives prove to be a difficult hurdle to overcome, as they both attempt to adapt to each other's completely different worlds.

The streaming era as a whole has been incredibly kind to romantic comedies, ranging from large franchises like The Kissing Booth and To All the Boys to award-winning films like The Big Sick . While Always Be My Maybe doesn't stray too far from the roots and conventions of the genre, it's about as effective and genuine as it gets when it comes to a modern-day romantic comedy . The chemistry between Ali Wong and Randall Park is genuine, the comedy is consistent and effective, and Keanu Reeves playing himself makes for an unexpectedly hilarious side character.

Always Be My Maybe

Release Date May 31, 2019

Director Nahnatchka Khan

Cast Ali Wong, Michelle Buteau, James Saito, Randall Park

Runtime 101 minutes

'The Willoughbys (2020)

Director: kris pearn.

One of many great original animated films from Netflix, The Willoughbys follows the story of the four Willoughby children, forced to live closeted and painful lives under their neglectful parents. Looking to find a way to escape the clutches of their parents, they hatch a scheme to convince them to take a vacation that would get them killed. Now left alone to their own devices, the children are forced to figure out on their own how to live as a normal family.

The biggest strength of The Willoughbys is its manic and unpredictably dark style of humor, mixing over-the-top slapstick with unexpectedly grim dialogue to make a comedic match made in heaven. Combined with its beautiful stylized animation style, the film is brimming with charm and wit with each passing minute, creating a fun and exciting watch that never lets up from the chaotic ride . Especially when seeing just how much focus Netflix has placed on their animated outings, it's a shame that The Willuoghby's hasn't received similar appraisal or focus from the company.

The Willoughbys

Release Date April 22, 2020

Genres Family, Animation

'Metal Lords' (2022)

Director: peter sollett.

Metal Lords follows the story of best friends and social outcasts Hunter and Kevin, who have spent the majority of their teenage years alone and only with each other and heavy metal music to keep each other company. However, they soon find a way to etch themselves into the annuls of their high school's legacy, as they plan to form a heavy metal band in order to compete in the battle of the bands. With enough practice and with a performance powerful enough, they can become local legends, but the pressure begins to slowly rise, beginning to create a divide between the friends.

Metal Lords is a glorious and in-your-face love letter to heavy metal and all that encompasses, all in a complete and hilarious comedic coming-of-age package. Even despite its teenage, coming-of-age premise, the film doesn't take any steps to hold back when it comes to more serious themes, aggressively powerful music, and most importantly, genuine R-rated comedy . There is a genuine outpour of love and care felt in every scene of Metal Lords , making for a perfect musical adventure that isn't actually a musical .

'Set It Up' (2018)

Director: claire scanlon.

Set It Up is a romantic comedy that follows the story of Harper and Charlie, two underpaid and overworked assistants who are sick and tired of working under their demanding and unrelenting bosses. The duo hatch a scheme to hopefully get their bosses off of their backs by subtly setting them up with each other, hoping that they'll be too enamored with love to be as strict and grouchy. However, the plan proves to come with its complications, as Harper and Charlie end up accidentally falling for each other in the process of their plan.

Much like the best romantic comedies, Set It Up thrives off of the chemistry and back and forth between its two leads , with Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch working tremendously alongside one another. Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu also do exceptional work as the primary supporting characters in the cast, transforming its relatively simple premise into a genuinely surprising and fun romantic comedy romp. The film is easily one of the best original romantic comedies that Netflix has put out .

Two corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.

Release Date June 15, 2018

Director Claire Scanlon

Cast Lucy Liu, Zoey Deutch, Taye Diggs, Glen Powell

Rating TV-14

Runtime 105 minutes

'The Half of It' (2020)

Director: alice wu.

The Half of It follows an academically gifted yet incredibly shy student named Ellie, who is unexpectedly hired by Paul, an academically challenged jock who wants Ellie to write love notes to a girl he likes in his name. This soon begins an unexpected friendship between Ellie and Paul, as they begin to help each other out with their differences and form a close bond with each other. However, their deal faces a dilemma when Ellie, in the process of writing these notes, realizes that she also has feelings for the same girl.

Many coming-of-age movies and romantic comedies are willing to sacrifice the humanity and realistic portions of their plots and premises to get away with their hijinks, a factor that does not apply to The Half of It . The film, on top of being genuinely funny, has a deep understanding and appreciation for its characters and dynamics and gives its story the weight and seriousness that is reflective of a teenage first love. It plays against the conventions of romantic comedies in such a brilliant and unique way, while still staying true to what has made the genre so endearing for so long .

The Half of It

Release Date May 1, 2020

Director Alice Wu

Cast Wolfgang Novogratz, Leah Lewis, Alexxis Lemire, Daniel Diemer

Runtime 104 minutes

'The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (2017)

Director: noah baumbach.

One of many exceptional underrated films from director Noah Baumbach , The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) follows the dysfunctional estranged Meyerowitz family. They find themselves reuniting and reconnecting in New York for an event that is celebrating the artistic work of their father, yet in the process, all of their old hangups and issues begin rearing their head again. What was supposed to be a simple family reunion soon devolves into pure chaos where not a single party comes out the other end looking entirely clean.

Baumbach's films have always been able to brilliantly capture the complexities and nuances of relationships, whether they be romantic or familial, and balance these deeper and complicated themes with a signature dry and awkward comedy. The Meyerowitz Stories almost feels as if it's the pure essence of Baumbach's career, as while it may not be as popular as some of his other films like Marriage Story , it embodies all the quirks and charm that define his work so well.

The Meyerowitz Stories

Release Date October 13, 2017

Director Noah Baumbach

Cast Grace Van Patten, Elizabeth Marvel, Daniel Flaherty, Adam Sandler, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman

Runtime 110

'Dolemite Is My Name' (2019)

Director: craig brewer.

Dolemite Is My Name is a comedic biopic that follows the rise of Rudy Ray Moore, the unorthodox filmmaker who would create the legendary character of Dolemite in the 1970s. Starting originally as a character as a part of his stand-up comedy act, Dolemite would soon grow into much more, able to find success and glory from telling outlandish and over-the-top stories of the character. It would all come to a head when he is inspired to create a film about Dolemite, an effort that would have massive risks, but is something Moore is determined to create.

Dolemite Is My Name is successfully able to tap into the same high-energy excitement and comedy as the actual Dolemite films, employing a mixture of genuine drama and the absurdities of the character of Dolemite . What makes the film work so well is the lead performance from Eddie Murphy , who taps into the persona of Rude Ray Moore effortlessly, creating what is easily one of the best performances of his career. Despite critical success, the film was sadly overlooked by awards bodies, despite being highly deserving of numerous awards for its coveted work.

Dolemite Is My Name!

Release Date October 4, 2019

Director Craig Brewer

Cast Kodi Smit-McPhee, Wesley Snipes, Keegan Michael Key, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Craig Robinson

Runtime 118

Main Genre Biography

'Paddleton' (2019)

Director: alexandre lehmann.

Paddleton is a simple and quaint yet deeply emotional comedy that tells the story of Michael and Andy, two awkward and unusual neighbors who enjoy the simplicities and little moments of life. Their friendship takes an unexpected shift when the younger of the two, Michael, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. However, not wanting to simply lie down and await the inevitable, Michael convinces Andy to go with him on a journey across the countryside to see sights, make memories, and do all they can before it's all over.

Despite the extremely dire and heavy subject matter, Paddleton is able to find exceptional and hilarious comedy from the darkest of places. From painfully awkward conversations to strange and confusing predicaments that the duo finds themselves in, the film thrives in its ability to shine and provide light onto such a normally painful topic. It's a comedy that is nothing short of brilliant , and it works as well as it does because of the perfect comedic talents of Mark Duplass and Ray Romano , who are pitch-perfect comedically in nearly every scene of the film.

Release Date February 22, 2019

Director Alexandre Lehmann

Cast Ray Romano, Mark Duplass, Christine Woods, Alexandra Billings, Kadeem Hardison, Marguerite Moreau

Genres Drama, Comedy

NEXT: The 25 Best Netflix Original Series of All Time

After the solar eclipse: Eyesight blurry? What are the symptoms of eclipse blindness? What to look for

The 2024 solar eclipse brings a rare event to ohio, but safe viewing is essential to avoid "eclipse blindness" and what could become permanent eye damage..

Ohio will witness a unique and spectacular event when the solar eclipse darkens skies around the state. A large swath of the state will be shrouded in total darkness as it falls in the path of totality (even if data suggests that path might now be smaller ).

Hopefully you're prepared with the best glasses or have supplies to construct a viewer at home . If not, you'll want to forget about watching this eclipse. Here's why.

Looking at the sun during an eclipse without protection can permanently damage your eyes

Fast forward to the hours after the solar eclipse :

You witnessed an amazing celestial sight that reminded you of our place in the cosmos. Or you stepped outside long enough to check it out, post a pic to Facebook and call it a day. But now  your eyesight is a bit blurry , and straight things look a little curved. Did you damage your eyes?

Even a short glance at the sun  without proper protection  can cause temporary or permanent damage to your eyes. Sunglasses aren't enough, you need  ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses  which block  about 1,000 times  more sunlight.

So make sure your glasses are approved, undamaged and within arm's reach today. The solar spectacle will last most of the afternoon in Ohio, but the path of totality will last just a few minutes.

When does the solar eclipse start in Ohio?

Have your eclipse glasses ready after lunch, Buckeye State stargazers. According to National Eclipse , Ohio residents can first see the moon overtake the sun at 1:53 p.m. before it fully reappears at 4:30 p.m.

The eclipse totality will last from 3:08 to 3:19 p.m. as it cuts a swath from southwest to northeast Ohio. Cincinnati and Columbus lie just south of the path of totality (northern suburbs of both cities will experience total darkness), but Akron, Cleveland, Kent and portions of North Canton lie in the path of totality.

Here's when some Ohio cities along its path can expect the total eclipse, and how long totality will last:

• Hamilton – Begins at 3:09:09 p.m., will last 1 minute, 42 seconds.
• Dayton – 3:09:29 p.m., will last 2 minutes, 43 seconds.
• Springfield – 3:10:15 p.m., will last 2 minutes, 34 seconds.
• Marion – 3:11:14 p.m., duration 3 minutes, 34 seconds.
• Delaware – 3:11:36 p.m., will last 2 minutes, 35 seconds.
• Fremont – 3:11:46 p.m., duration 2 minutes, 38 seconds.
• Dublin – 3:11:59 p.m., will last 1 minute, 23 seconds.
• Port Clinton – 3:12:12 p.m., duration 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
• Toledo – 3:12:17 p.m., duration 1 minute, 53 seconds.
• Mansfield -- 3:12:23 p.m., will last 3 minutes, 16 seconds.
• Ashland – 3:12:43 p.m., duration 3 minutes, 19 seconds.
• Wooster – 3:13:39 p.m., duration 2 minutes, 25 seconds.
• Akron – 3:14:14 p.m., will last 2 minutes, 46 seconds.
• Cuyahoga Falls – 3:14:15 p.m., will last 2 minutes, 56 seconds.
• Cleveland – 3:13:46 p.m., will last 3 minutes, 49 seconds.
• Kent – 3:14:31 p.m., will last 2 minutes, 47 seconds.

What was the last solar eclipse in Ohio? When is the next one?

Congress voted to welcome the Ohio to the United States in 1803. The Buckeye State was still a toddler the last time it experienced a solar eclipse in 1806. Eclipse glasses were decades away from being invented.

Ohio's next solar eclipse comes a little sooner than 281 years, but the 2024 event is still a once-in-a-lifetime show for many viewers – the next one won't happen until 2099.

Let's be clear: If you're in Cincinnati or Columbus on April 8, you won't see a total solar eclipse

How do I know if I damaged my eyes during the April eclipse? What are the symptoms of eclipse blindness?

So you watched the eclipse with glasses, but maybe they slipped off, were damaged, or were never ISO certified. How do you know if you damaged your eyes?

The retinas of your eyes have no nerve endings, so even if they are damaged, you may not feel any pain. But according to the  American Academy of Ophthalmology , you should go see your ophthalmologist if you experience any of these symptoms a few hours or even days after the eclipse:

• Blurry vision.
• Headache and/or eye pain.
• Vision loss or a black spot at the center of a patient’s sight in one or both eyes.
• Increased sensitivity to light.
• Distorted vision (a straight line may look bent or curvy).
• Changes in the way you see color, known as "dyschromatopsia."

How long can I look at the sun if I'm using eclipse glasses?

According to the American Astronomical Society, while some glasses and viewers include warnings about looking through them at the sun for more than 3 minutes at a time, as long as your glasses are compliant with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard and are undamaged, "you may look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through them for as long as you wish."

What does looking at the sun do to your eyes?

Ever started a fire by using a magnifying glass to focus sunlight onto a point?

The lens of your eye does essentially the same thing when it focuses the light you see onto the retinas at the back of your eye, the  American Academy of Ophthalmology  explained. The retina is the light-detecting part of your eye that transmits those signals to the brain. Direct, intense light can burn a hole in them or destroy retinal cells almost immediately.

Normally it hurts to look at the sun and humans naturally squint or look away. Even a few seconds can be too much. But during an eclipse, the visible sunlight is reduced and it becomes possible to look directly at it without discomfort for longer periods of time. You may not even know you've damaged your eyes until the next day.

The result is solar retinopathy or retinal burns. It can happen from looking at the sun or at too-bright reflections of sunlight off snow or water. The most common cause of solar retinopathy is viewing a solar eclipse, also called eclipse blindness.

It's rare, but it can be permanent. The  2017 eclipse , which passed from Oregon to South Carolina, is thought to have caused about 100 cases, according to the  American Astronomical Society , out of the estimated 150 million people who witnessed it. But since solar retinopathy doesn't cause complete blindness, many people with minor cases may have never reported it or even known they had it.

How long will damage from looking at an eclipse last?

Researchers have found that some patients "may see symptoms ease over time," according to  David Hutton  for Ophthalmology Times. The cones in the retina are resilient and resist damage, experts say.

In a 1976 study, some patients saw their symptoms clear over time, and researchers found that some cases saw an "excellent recovery" in the first three months.

However, others have suffered permanent damage resulting in impaired vision in the form of a small blind spot in one or both eyes and distortion.

Is damage from looking at a solar eclipse treatable?

No. There is no treatment.

You should have an ophthalmologist scan your eyes to see how much damage has been done and they can monitor them over the next few months to chart any recovery, but the only thing you can do is wait and hope for it to go away.

And avoid looking at the sun.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Netflix streaming
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• Civil War Link to Civil War
• Monkey Man Link to Monkey Man
• The First Omen Link to The First Omen

New TV Tonight

• Fallout: Season 1
• Chucky: Season 3
• Baby Reindeer: Season 1
• Mr Bates vs The Post Office: Season 1
• Franklin: Season 1
• Dora: Season 1
• Good Times: Season 1
• Beacon 23: Season 2

Most Popular TV on RT

• Ripley: Season 1
• 3 Body Problem: Season 1
• Parasyte: The Grey: Season 1
• Shōgun: Season 1
• Sugar: Season 1
• We Were the Lucky Ones: Season 1
• X-Men '97: Season 1
• A Gentleman in Moscow: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• Fallout Link to Fallout
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

Best Movies of 2024: Best New Movies to Watch Now

25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Fallout : What It Gets Right, and What It Gets Wrong

CinemaCon 2024: Day 3 – Disney Previews Deadpool & Wolverine , Moana 2 , Alien: Romulus , and More

• Trending on RT
• Play Movie Trivia
• New on Streaming
• CinemaCon 2024

Always Be My Maybe

2016, Romance, 1h 52m

Where to watch Always Be My Maybe

Rent Always Be My Maybe on Apple TV, Prime Video, or buy it on Apple TV, Prime Video.

Rate And Review

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)

You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

Step 2 of 2

How did you buy your ticket?

Let's get your review verified..

AMCTheatres.com or AMC App New

Cinemark Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Regal Coming Soon

Theater box office or somewhere else

By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

Always be my maybe   photos.

Two brokenhearted people give love advice to each other.

Genre: Romance

Original Language: English

Director: Dan Villegas

Release Date (Streaming): Mar 15, 2019

Box Office (Gross USA): $113.0K

Runtime: 1h 52m

Cast & Crew

Gerald Anderson

Carlo Aquino

Cacai Bautista

Ahron Villena

Dan Villegas

Malou N. Santos

Executive Producer

Charo Santos-Concio

Mycko David

Cinematographer

Critic Reviews for Always Be My Maybe

Audience reviews for always be my maybe.

There are no featured reviews for Always Be My Maybe because the movie has not released yet ().

Movie & TV guides

Play Daily Tomato Movie Trivia

Discover What to Watch

Rotten Tomatoes Podcasts