The Wasteland Reviewer

Oh. What. Fun. (2025) Written Review

Who generally never gets enough appreciation, praise, and compassion during the holidays? Mothers/wives. Culturally, they are the ones who do all the cooking, cleaning, and entertaining. They put the holidays on their back without many offers of support or help. This is a story that is not explored too often in holiday media, but Michael Showalter aims to change that with his latest directorial effort from Amazon MGM Studios…Oh. What. Fun. This is a new tale about what happens when mom/wife says goodbye and hightails it out of the holiday season and blazes her own path for herself. There are certainly consequences to all…and not a good night. 

How does Showalter bring this story to the big screen? Showalter has a track record of crafting films with plenty of humor while navigating some serious themes and topics. The Big Sick. Spoiler Alert. Now Oh. What. Fun. does not quite handle themes as deep and serious as those films but it does navigate the pressures of the holiday season and explore the effects on familial bonds. Showalter gives the film space to be funny plenty of times and still can set up emotional moments as well. But those emotions don’t quite hit (but more on the writing later). The tone of the film is quite consistent as it has a more 90s or 00s holiday feel and you can see that in the way it handles its subject. From a visual standpoint, this unfortunately feels a little too much like a streaming film and lacks some of the cinematic impact (which Showalter was able to find in some of his other efforts). The biggest issue with the film is the lack of emotional connection to any of these characters. But much of that connects to the writing on these characters. 

Are we ready to tackle that then? Showalter and Chandler Baker’s script just lacks any emotional anchor or connection. Too many (or all) of these characters are too unlikable and shallow to find a place to latch one. Even the protagonist, this underappreciated mother/wife, is so insufferable that you don’t even feel for her that much when she gets abandoned by her family. Some of the character choices are so misguided that they undercut all the depth that could have been. There are a few standout scenes in the film that capture some genuine humor and thoughts like a later scene that confronts the film’s mother-related thesis so directly through Eva Longoria, TV show host. But the film also leans too heavily into cliches and tropes despite trying to tell a fresh new story. There are whole sections and subplots in the film that just lack significance leaving the audience wondering why they are even there. The way the film “fixes” its problems at the end is so weak and shallow in turn undercutting the impact of the characters’ arcs. 

Can this stacked cast give some depth and meaning along the way? Some of these big-name actors do shine in their roles. Michelle Pfeiffer is the anchor to the film, and she makes the most of this character who is unfortunately undercut too often by terrible writing choices. Felicity Jones offers almost nothing to the experience because she is so undercut by a terribly written character. Denis Leary shines as a stereotypical “Dad” character who certainly has fun crashing out when his wife ups and leaves. Jason Schwartzman is so Jason Schwartzman coded that he works perfectly for his underappreciated and misguided character (one of the most genuine performances in the film). Dominic Sessa and Chloe Grace Moretz, two younger talents who have a lot to offer, both feel insufferable because of their annoying, one-note characters. Honestly, some of the best performers come from outside the family with Pfeiffer’s rival and neighbor being portrayed so earnestly and precisely by Joan Chen and the charming presence of Havana Rose Liu as one of her daughters (and potential love interest to Sessa’s character).

Will Oh. What. Fun. be a charming holiday flick for many to revisit during the holiday season? Probably not. This film struggles to launch due to being bogged down by some terrible characters. There is a structure here that could world and Showalter’s direction gives it the space to do so. The script just really drags this talented cast down. This might grab the attention of the biggest holiday movie fans, but it just lacks execution on some strong potential.