Sophie Brooks’ “Oh, Hello!” will get its title from a cornball pun on Ohio and an indication seen in a small city the place our younger lovers are on a getaway.
Isaac (Logan Lerman) and Iris (Molly Gordon) have been going out for a while, visibly affectionate of their relationship and on a street journey to an remoted cottage.
It begins as a candy, unironic and simple romantic comedy, develops into a set of intimate moments, then takes a wild flip. With out spoiling the twist, Isaac and Molly uncover a closet with contents that shock the younger lovers.
Their curiosity and shared consolation with each other ease into an evening of unguarded honesty and wind up being a horrible thought. The elevator pitch is “Earlier than Sundown” (1995) crossed with “Distress” (1990), however even that doesn’t actually cowl it.
I managed to see “Oh, Hello!” with none promotional supplies spoiling the second act, and I’d advise everybody else to do the identical. The aspect of shock is essential, although it must be mentioned that the movie is constantly humorous and interesting, not punishing.
Not a horror movie, because it by no means stops being humorous, however there’s a sustained stress within the second and third act. Name it style fluid, because it manages to shift tones and alter our perspective on the step by step altering state of affairs with out dropping our curiosity or collapsing into anarchy.
Lerman, finest identified for the “Percy Jackson” movies (2010-2013) and his terrific lead flip in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012) is first charge and so is Gordon, who co-wrote the story with Brooks and is a standout within the FX on Hulu collection, “The Bear” (2022-Current).
The actors made me root for Isaac and Iris within the first act, then saved reversing my emotions for them as soon as secrets and techniques saved unveiling.
I wished the ending to be stronger and harsher in its evaluation, if not outright punishment, for each characters. It’s unusual {that a} movie would take this many possibilities and succeed at juggling them, then visibly fear that the viewers will stroll away uncomfortable.
Sophie Brooks is clearly not Ari Aster.
The most important success in “Oh, Hello!” isn’t simply the 2 pitch-perfect lead performances however how effectively the screenplay introduces acquainted tropes, establishing plot strands that appear to be getting in a well-recognized route, then doesn’t.
Strolling out of “Oh, Hello!,” I want the ending was stronger and extra impactful. But, the movie is unpredictable, daring and leaves you considering, which is greater than I can say about most romantic comedies.
I’m glad I noticed “Oh, Hello!” however want the screenplay, for all of its audacious touches, had gone even additional within the last moments. Is that this a date film? It depends upon how effectively you realize your companion and if you happen to’re each capable of chuckle on the tough issues depicted.
Brooks’ movie is sort of a decrease key however equally provocative companion to, effectively, “Companion” (2025). Each movies start like rom-com fodder, take daring, darkish turns and handle to stability laughs with insightful observations on why long-term relationships both go the gap or shatter.
Add the upcoming “Collectively” and the remake of “The Conflict of the Roses” to the batch, and also you’ve bought yr for squirm-inducing anti-rom-coms.
Two and a Half Stars