‘I Don’t Understand You’ Review: Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells Kill It in Grisly Destination Rom-Com | rssama.com

Editor’s Note: This reappraisal was primitively published during SXSW 2024. Vertical releases “I Don’t Understand You” successful theaters Friday, June 6, 2025.

“I Don’t Understand You” spins its chaos from thing mislaid successful translation. And yet, Nick Kroll grabbing a large fistful of Andrew Rannells’ ass is simply a cosmopolitan language.

There’s an idyllic romance hidden location successful Brian Crano and David Craig’s destination horror-comedy that would beryllium worthy seeing connected its own. The filmmakers and real-life romanticist partners premiered their deceptively dreamy movie — astir a mates walking to Italy for an day picnic that goes hellishly incorrect — astatine SXSW connected March 8. It rescreened astatine The Overlook Film Festival from April 4 to 7, wherever it technically fresh nan genre-specific bill but besides suggested a overmuch wider audience.

Moviegoers who tin tummy immoderate gore but don’t for illustration to beryllium jump-scared will laughter arsenic overmuch arsenic immoderate scary caput erstwhile they recognize that crippled of grab-ass was really nan neurotic Dom checking for his very beautiful but occasionally helpless hubby Cole’s wallet. Written pinch instantly clockable authenticity, nan queer characters springiness Kroll and Rannells a unsocial opportunity to enactment ever-so somewhat against type.

Rannells canoodles and squabbles pinch a tenderness that seldom touched his bitchy “Girls” performance. And trite but true, Kroll is… daddy. Yes, yes, personification get Dom a Klonopin ASAP. But moreover pinch each nan neuroses astatine work, Kroll and Rannells negociate to springiness Dom and Cole a crackling chemistry that’s very endearing and a small sexy. The actors’ blistering comedic timing — extended brilliantly to supporting formed members — is paired pinch a comity that softly makes you guidelines for nan dudes moreover arsenic they make matters worse.

At nan start, Cole and Dom are looking to adopt. We find them self-taping a video for an exertion they’re sending to a pregnant female (Amanda Seyfried) soon earlier mounting retired connected their trip. It’s a snarky and affectionate segment featuring nan men’s beautiful location and canine Axel (who, nosy fact, was Crano and Craig’s beloved precocious pet per Instagram), and an basal touchstone for relating to these characters and nan nightmare they’re astir to endure.

Cole and Dom are caller victims of an take scam, an underdiscussed rumor that faces LGBTQ parents pinch singular frequency. One time they were having a baby; past they weren’t. Unsure what comes next, nan husbands aren’t getting their hopes up this time. They’ve slid into a malaise and are struggling to judge that possibly what they already person is arsenic bully arsenic it gets.

In Italy, nan brace enactment for illustration visitors operating connected autopilot. They’re successful emotion and they’re trying, but life sucks a small sometimes and correct now they some cognize it. It’s not until an overly progressive family friend takes complete nan pair’s day meal plans and sends them to a remotely located edifice that Cole and Dom yet spot their problems threat into perspective. After a insignificant car mishap time off nan English speakers stranded successful nan woods, they’re forced to fend for themselves successful a overseas landscape. When nan mobility switches from “boy aliases girl?” to “life aliases death?” each bets are disconnected for Cole and Dom. Will they make it done this together? And will a babe beryllium waiting astatine home… if nan dads ever make it there?

Outrageously snappy and unapologetically fun, “I Don’t Understand You” is simply a must-see for anyone who likes queer romance, horror-comedy, and/or basking Italians. (It’s a spoiler to opportunity who Morgan Spector plays, but “The Gilded Age” character is erstwhile again truthful goddamn good you’ll want Dom to look for his wallet.) There’s nary merchandise date, but scaredy cats should commencement readying their nerves for this gory and goofy genre getaway now; spot me, it’s much than worthy nan psychological trip.

As for nan remainder of america scary fans? Let’s conscionable opportunity you’ve ne'er seen a pizza oven misused for illustration this before.

Grade: A-

“I Don’t Understand You” premiered astatine SXSW 2024. Vertical releases nan movie successful theaters Friday, June 6, 2025.