The Wasteland Reviewer

Oh, Hi! (2025) Written Review

How long should you wait into a relationship before you start going on weekend long trips to romantic places? This is quite a step to elevating the connection between two people because you spend a lot more time with a person when you drive out to a place and spend a long weekend with them. But that also leaves the door open for some potential issues because this amount of time together is a challenge. There is so much space for bad things to happen and for you to learn more about your partner, including things that might be a big turn off. But these steps are important for every relationship…but you just want to make sure you are on the same page on what this kind of trip means and what your situation is in general. This is that kind of uncomfortable and awkward weekend away featured in Oh, Hi! And takes this romantic comedy in a whole new direction. 

Does Oh, Hi! deliver on a filmmaking perspective from writer/director Sophie Brooks? This is certainly an indie film that has an indie film vibe and budget. This is not a film that has a lot of set pieces or a big sprawling story. Much of the “action” takes place in this one rented home where Molly Gordon’s Iris and Logan Lerman’s Isaac go away for the weekend. Brooks and company do find small details on the technical end of things to elevate the experience. There are some dynamic and inspired photography moments that either accentuate or elevate the humor on screen (a perfectly framed sequence “backing up” in a car is one of the first great laughs and shocks of the film). Cinematographer Conor Murphy works well with Brooks to leverage subtle yet effective blocking and camera work to give this film more personality than you might expect from a film of this size and budget. Many of the scenes in Oh, Hi! are claustrophobic and small with Brooks building the right amount and type of tension throughout. 

Does this lean little dark comedy deliver the needed impact for its story and themes? This weekend turned bad all started with Isaac revealing his real intentions for his relationship with Iris (which is not as serious as she was expecting). A fateful discovery of some BDSM materials turns this tale upside down when Iris leaves Isaac handcuffed to their bed when fooling around. This situation certainly leaves Isaac quite vulnerable and Iris in a lot of control. This power dynamic opens the door to a lot of unexpected conflict and exploration of what love and connection really means. When Iris’ friends Max (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Kenny (John Reynolds) show up for assistance, things get even more interesting. Brooks can deliver consistent humor through her sharp dialogue and some well staged set-ups. The film also has a lot to say about communication and how essential it is to be on the same page about people’s expectations in relationships. The film also explores vulnerabilities and insecurities in relationships through this interesting staging of handcuffed shenanigans. The narrative gets a little too stretched out and scattered to be a truly captivating experience, but the film is still a worthy cinematic experience. 

Does the cast bring the good as well? Gordon is a star in the making. Shiva Baby. The Bear. Theater Camp. Everything she stars in; she makes it better through her unique presence and energy. Gordon brings the right amount of energy to the role of Iris who is a little clingy, quite insecure, and makes drastic decisions. You can see that she is the type of character to think rashly and immediately with her feelings and Gordon captures that energy. Her sharp line deliveries make Brooks’ humor spark on the screen. Lerman is not known for playing characters who are jerks, which makes it easier for Lerman to add some depth and complexity to Isaac. He is more than just the shallow jerk that Iris believes she handcuffs to the bed. Lerman also sells all the discomfort, frustration, and insecurity that bubbles up to the surface through this unexpected week. The film is mostly in the hands of Gordon and Lerman, but Viswanathan and Reynolds deliver their natural charisma and presence to add some layers to the experience as well. This is a quality cast of rising young actors who bring so much life to Brooks’ screenplay. 

Is Oh, Hi! the next great indie comedy? Brooks brings a lot to the table with her perspectives on relationships and communication. Her sense of humor is sharp with a dark edge that makes this such an engaging experience. This talented young cast brings a lot of personality and charm to the film with Gordon leading the way with another star-affirming performance. This is not a perfect film with its narrative and structural shortcomings but most of those other cinematic elements deliver in stride.