The Wasteland Reviewer

The Baltimorons (2025) Written Review

Have you ever had holiday plans completely derailed by unforeseen circumstances? The holidays can be stressful enough and when things go awry, they can become nightmarish. Burning dinner. Fighting. Breaking a tooth. There are plenty of things that can go horribly wrong. But for Jay Duplass’ latest film, The Baltimorons, that tooth does indeed prove to be the game-changing occurrence that will change the life of a down-on-his-luck, suicidal, ex-comic Cliff (Michael Strassner). 

How does Duplass navigate a film about such sensitive issues? This film is presented in an engaging and gritty manner through the work by cinematographer Jonathan Bregel. There is a gritty look of the visuals with an almost docudrama feel of the film. The Baltimorons almost feels like it is shot for a home video. This gritty element matches Baltimore so well and gives the film plenty of personality. Duplass completes a tonal tightrope walk as the film balances humor, heavy themes, and some romance as well. There is a dry, awkward humor sprinkled throughout the film (with Strassner being the primary source of the film’s uncomfortable humor). Duplass do not avoid the awkwardness of life and love and leans into it well to sell this unexpected romance. There is some palpable sexual tension at times between Strassner and Liz Larsen with Duplass giving them the space to deliver. The camerawork works as well as the docudrama approach allows the camera to be uncomfortably close and intimate to these sequences in the film. The film offers some serious emotional moments in the film that just might bring a tear to your eye. Laughs, tears, and charm are all abundant in Duplass’ film. 

How does this story of shenanigans give space to such an emotional journey? Duplass dives right in with an uncomfortably funny suicide attempt that forces the audience into the space that this story will live and thrive in. The film is structured as a series of unfortunate and funny beats that finds Cliff in uncomfortable and frustrating scenarios. But through these wild circumstances, Cliff and his dentist turned into a lover Didi find connection that feels organic and authentic. For such a short period of time, you need this love to feel real to buy-in. Duplass and Strassner’s script gives them enough big moments and scenarios to bond which helps make this connection feel so real. There are plenty of great elements from escaping an impound lot, an improv performance, and shenanigans on a boat that deliver a balance of humor, emotion, and romance. These two characters have so many layers written into them that Strassner and Larsen have plenty of substance to explore. 

Does this low-key cast deliver in this indie romantic comedy? Strassner has such a unique presence and personality which he channels so well into Cliff. ` His comedic timing is so sharp, and his lovable vibe makes him like a puppy dog that is hard not to find adorable. Larsen is tough and has a great presence in her own right. She has an alluring and sexy edge that builds throughout the film as well. Their chemistry is off the chart. During a key sequence near the end of the film, you can feel that fire inside building, and it is about to erupt. Each of them has their moments to lash out emotionally and the audience cannot help but feel for both. Olivia Luccardi is Cliff’s fiancé, and she has an amazing scene with Strassner towards the end of the film that has so much raw emotion and surprising dimensions. 

Is The Baltimorons the next great indie romantic comedy? The dynamic duos of Duplass/Strassner and Strassner/Larsen sell every second of this wonderful and engrossing film. No punches are pulled with their heavy themes centered around suicide and loneliness. Strassner and Larsen made the most unexpected IT couple in a romance this year. This film has such a raw feeling and plenty of humor and emotion to carry the audience along the way.