The iconic paparazzi image of Keanu Reeves seated alone on a bench gave rise to the meme “sad Keanu.” In a humorous twist, the new film presents a character dubbed “sad asshole Keanu.” Written and directed by Jonah Hill, this movie features a number of Hill’s fellow actors, including Reeves, who portrays Reef Hawk, one of the most recognizable figures in the entertainment industry. Similar to Reeves, this character is known for his amiable nature and down-to-earth demeanor, and he is rumored to be vegan. However, beneath his saintly facade lies a narcissist struggling with the aftermath of a turbulent heroin addiction, which has long been concealed by his crisis lawyer, Ira, played by Hill himself, sporting a shaved head and unsettling veneers.
The storyline unfolds as a mystery without a corpse. Reef finds himself being blackmailed by unidentified individuals who claim to possess a video that could jeopardize his reputation. Ira attempts to uncover the contents of this video, even asking, “Have you ever killed anyone? I’m not one to judge.” Hill’s dialogue draws from the depths of Hollywood’s culture, and while his script, co-authored with Ezra Woods, is often humorous, the comedy does not always hit the mark. At Ira’s insistence, Reef embarks on a journey to apologize to those he has wronged in an effort to track down the blackmailers. His two closest friends from high school, played by Cameron Diaz and Matt Bomer, accompany him on this quest.
The film conveys the message that wealth and fame have not brought happiness to Reef. In his leisure time, he finds himself searching online for references to his name (such as “Reef Hawk bad person”), and at times, the narrative encourages viewers to empathize with the isolation and struggles faced by someone accustomed to privilege. A sharper critique may have enhanced the story. Furthermore, the conclusion feels somewhat anticlimactic, focusing on personal development when audiences might have anticipated a more dramatic resolution, such as a murder or at least a public disgrace.
Nevertheless, the cast delivers consistently engaging performances, with Laverne Cox portraying a women’s rights attorney, Drew Barrymore appearing as herself, and Martin Scorsese playing a poignant role as a faded talent manager. Notably, Ira has a poster of Kanye West in his office, symbolizing resilience in the face of cancellation.
The film is set to premiere on Apple TV on April 10.
