Joy Ride
Lionsgate | Release Date: July 7, 2023
5.3
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 59 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
27
Mixed:
12
Negative:
20
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
WatchinMoviesJul 28, 2023
This was an odd little movie. It had the usual themes; friendship, loyalty, adventure, and perseverance. The sexual references were odd. The movie wasn't really consistent in its presentation; the themes weren't really developed. This made itThis was an odd little movie. It had the usual themes; friendship, loyalty, adventure, and perseverance. The sexual references were odd. The movie wasn't really consistent in its presentation; the themes weren't really developed. This made it a bit trite (run-of-the-mill). So, our recommendation is: "watch if you want some vulgar fluff."… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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3
panther49Jul 28, 2023
Gross, unfunny humor and hit-or-miss chemistry between the actors drag down this otherwise decent story and setup. I wouldn't care if it were "gross" as long as it were funny, but only a couple parts gave me a giggle. Lots of jokes aboutGross, unfunny humor and hit-or-miss chemistry between the actors drag down this otherwise decent story and setup. I wouldn't care if it were "gross" as long as it were funny, but only a couple parts gave me a giggle. Lots of jokes about different kinds of people that just come across as contrived. Only one section was "heartfelt" which was nice, but it's tough to care about all the trashy characters.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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1
urbanmagicJul 14, 2023
Way over-praised by critics, who need to get some perspective, this is a formulaic script and clunky direction, a complete waste of four really terrific, talented actors.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
MovieReviewMaveAug 8, 2023
IN A NUTSHELL:

The story follows 4 Chinese-American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through China in search of one of their birth mothers. The film was directed byIN A NUTSHELL:

The story follows 4 Chinese-American friends as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through China in search of one of their birth mothers.
The film was directed by Adele Lim. She also helped write the screenplay with Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, and Teresa Hsiao.
On a personal note, I've been to China many times and love it there! I took two of my sons with me when I went on my first speaking tour. We all fell in love with the people and culture. One of them even married a lovely woman from Hong Kong and now I have an adorable grandson with Chinese in his blood!

THINGS I LIKED:

I'm so happy to see Ashley Park in a feature film! I love her in the popular sitcom Emily in Paris. She's so talented and beautiful.
Other cast members include Debbie Fan, Kenneth Liu, Annie Mumolo, David Denman, and more.
There is a sweet storyline about one of the characters going to find her birth mother, yet also recognizing that her adoptive parents are amazing.
It's fun to go to China in the movie! It's a beautiful country filled with rich culture, delicious food, and gentle people.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:

The girls are SO crude and vulgar. Why do feminists think the only way to show they are liberated is to be crass and foul?
One of the girls states about the Chinese people that "People around here can tell Chinese-Chinese from American-Chinese." That's so true because Chinese-Chinese people don't wear loud, obnoxious colors for the most part or wear Hipster-American clothing. Chinese people are much more reserved and respectful.
Characters in the movie slam white people, Americans, Chinese, Christians, and other things.
Honestly, this felt like a rated X movie, so I stopped watching it long before it ended. It's soooo raunchy and filled with slutty tramps who respect nothing.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This sex-obsessed movie is not appropriate for kids.
Lots of profanity and SO many F-bombs. The first word we hear in the movie is an F-bomb. The first word we hear a young child say is an F-bomb. It's supposed to be so funny, but it's certainly not clever.
Young girls flip the bird SO many times.
We see sexualized artwork that features male genitalia.
Young women talk about sex and genitalia many, many, many times.
Mandarin is spoken a lot, mostly with subtitles that have to be read.
Lots of alcohol.
A bunch of young women do cocaine and hide bags of it in their bodies.
We see several people going at it in a variety of ways.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
DeadheadbillAug 17, 2023
It's a one-note movie and that one note gets extremely annoying long before the movie ends.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
AspirinSundaeJul 30, 2023
The film has some moments of effective humor, and genuine chemistry between the leads. However, the filming and editing feel sub par. There is also some heavy leaning on racial stereotypes that is NOT made OK by the fact that the charactersThe film has some moments of effective humor, and genuine chemistry between the leads. However, the filming and editing feel sub par. There is also some heavy leaning on racial stereotypes that is NOT made OK by the fact that the characters themselves are of the same race. It's nice to see minority women in lead roles. The fact that the movie itself is just OK is a bit of a let down.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
SoulWarfareAug 11, 2023
One of the most important things about a comedy is being funny. Joy Ride is just not that funny. It is just overly raunchy and cringe which made this movie painful to watch. The 4 main characters are just not that likeable or interesting.One of the most important things about a comedy is being funny. Joy Ride is just not that funny. It is just overly raunchy and cringe which made this movie painful to watch. The 4 main characters are just not that likeable or interesting. Ashley Park and Stephanie Hsu give a decent performance but the other 2 are just not that great.

However, the last act of this movie is genuinely heartfelt and made me wish that this tone was the whole movie instead of what we actually got.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
snorkissJul 30, 2023
The first half was pretty strong with a few good laughs here and there but the second half... just wasn't funny, or entertaining. It was a disappointment at the box office and I can see why. The main protagonists in the film also had aThe first half was pretty strong with a few good laughs here and there but the second half... just wasn't funny, or entertaining. It was a disappointment at the box office and I can see why. The main protagonists in the film also had a problem with 'white people.' - I think we can do a little better than this sadly reductive and crass terminology when referring to different races and cultures. look, It's a passable way to kill an hour or so, but don't expect the chuckle-fest all the pandering reviewers promised - 4 stars… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
MetacriticOnurAug 11, 2023
bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
MattyIce34Jul 30, 2023
Sorry, this just isn’t funny. I thought we left simple sex jokes in the early-2010s. Also gaslighting your fiancé won’t make me root for you? Idk.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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0
BagelSpotJul 10, 2023
Made up story with no political message. It's too creative; I believe the filmmakers consider that movies are "aRt", which is why they made it so fictional and detached from reality. I'm kinda getting sick of people who can't see ALL moviesMade up story with no political message. It's too creative; I believe the filmmakers consider that movies are "aRt", which is why they made it so fictional and detached from reality. I'm kinda getting sick of people who can't see ALL movies need to be documentaries on politics.… Expand
4 of 6 users found this helpful42
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0
SorkenJul 8, 2023
Not worth anyone’s money. Offensive woke garbage, bad actors and a director who’s got no real game plan
4 of 8 users found this helpful44
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1
Daniel_EndureJul 7, 2023
I feel the need to warn everyone straight away about this movie, seeing how critics think it's nearly flawless... If you like Amy Schumer stand-up specials, where it's just endless jokes about female genitalia, you'll love this. If you findI feel the need to warn everyone straight away about this movie, seeing how critics think it's nearly flawless... If you like Amy Schumer stand-up specials, where it's just endless jokes about female genitalia, you'll love this. If you find that to be trashy and severely lacking in the creative department, you can skip this ride.… Expand
7 of 15 users found this helpful78
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9
ookoshiJul 8, 2023
While some people might be put off by the crude humor, the movie provides unique insight into the Asian American experience while taking us on a grand adventure.
3 of 10 users found this helpful37
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6
JLuis_001Jul 7, 2023
The ride unravels in a predictable fashion, unfolding as expected.
Any viewer with several comedies in their bag knows that funny scenes must flow one after the other with one primordial element, and that is the chemistry of its leads, forThe ride unravels in a predictable fashion, unfolding as expected.
Any viewer with several comedies in their bag knows that funny scenes must flow one after the other with one primordial element, and that is the chemistry of its leads, for even the most exceptional jokes will fail to resonate if their characters fail to forge a connection, but in this case, the four leads pull it off without a problem.

Joy Ride is an ode to R-rated female comedies akin to Bridesmaids or Rough Night but with the twist of a more profound exploration of its protagonists' identities, and best of all, the plot tackles it when it needs to, prioritizing laughter as its initial objective, the film remains faithful to its title, delivering precisely what it promises.

I'm not sure what impression it will leave for posterity, but I had a good time with this movie, and I'm not easily entertained.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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8
Thelog32Jul 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this! There are some bits that fall flat, but overall it’s very well done. It’s also one of the few movies out of Hollywood that depicts the Chinese people as *gasp* normal human beings with happy lives. I very much recommend.
1 of 5 users found this helpful14
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8
Brent_MarchantJul 8, 2023
Bawdy, raunchy humor generally isn’t my style, but, when it’s done with wit, creativity and no-holds-barred originality, it gets my attention quickly, which this filmmaking debut from writer- director Adele Lim captures from the very firstBawdy, raunchy humor generally isn’t my style, but, when it’s done with wit, creativity and no-holds-barred originality, it gets my attention quickly, which this filmmaking debut from writer- director Adele Lim captures from the very first line of the picture (and never lets go thereafter). This rapid-fire screwball comedy follows the exploits of four young Asian women (Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Sabrina Wu, Stephanie Hsu) on an outlandish road trip through China that steadily deteriorates but routinely places them in a host of raucously hilarious, debauchery-riddled situations. In doing so, the film steadily serves up huge laughs in a story that’s accurately being billed as a release unlike anything that moviegoers have seen before. While it’s true that the narrative stretches credibility a bit at times and the film has its share of predictable and sweet but sappy moments, those minor faults are vastly overshadowed by its many strengths, including its fine ensemble cast, balanced pacing, and vibrant, colorful, superbly crafted production design. Because of the nature of the humor, however, sensitive viewers may want to skip this one (though it’s truly hard not to laugh, no matter how conservative one’s views might be). “Joy Ride” may not have received much fanfare or pre-release publicity, but it’s one of the funniest comedies to come along in quite some time, and it’s handily one of the best offerings of what has thus far been an otherwise-stunningly disappointing summer movie season. Indeed, get ready to seriously laugh your ass off with this one.… Expand
1 of 6 users found this helpful15
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10
JGNYCJul 8, 2023
Loved this movie! Really really funny but also touching at moments. Great characters. So much fun.
1 of 6 users found this helpful15
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10
saimariejohnsonJul 8, 2023
Joy Ride is hilarious; it is very adulterated in some ways, but a heartwarming undertone made the film pull hard on the heartstrings while delivering a wildly comedic ride just like the title entails. The journey of discovery that we watchJoy Ride is hilarious; it is very adulterated in some ways, but a heartwarming undertone made the film pull hard on the heartstrings while delivering a wildly comedic ride just like the title entails. The journey of discovery that we watch the main character go on is one where her entire essence is challenged multiple times and the friends she has made begin to show her how she has failed to recognize some internal failings that have held her back from being her authentic self. I recommend it for fans of Bridesmaids, The Joy Luck Club, and The Hangover Series.… Expand
1 of 6 users found this helpful15
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0
armaninofilmsJul 7, 2023
I did not enjoy this movie, took my son to see it for his NFL offseason 0/5
2 of 14 users found this helpful212
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7
bertobellamyAug 5, 2023
'Joy Ride' is an irreverent and wild comedy that ends in the most predictable way possible, but even so, it harbors in its dirty jokes and cheeky situations a valuable message about identity.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
Diego96Jul 21, 2023
Although it is far from being a comedy of the most striking and original, "Joy Ride" is a film with modern humor and sharper than one would expect, which makes it far from being mediocre. A positive highlight for the quartet of protagonists,Although it is far from being a comedy of the most striking and original, "Joy Ride" is a film with modern humor and sharper than one would expect, which makes it far from being mediocre. A positive highlight for the quartet of protagonists, who show tremendous harmony on the scene.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
SorrowKillerAug 6, 2023
I liked the movie. But I get it if you don't like it. If you're a typical Westerner or an Asian American who's never really had an Asian culture connection you wouldn't get it. If you spend most of your life in America you probably wouldn'tI liked the movie. But I get it if you don't like it. If you're a typical Westerner or an Asian American who's never really had an Asian culture connection you wouldn't get it. If you spend most of your life in America you probably wouldn't get it too. Honestly, you need be fluent in Chinese to get the humor.

If you've spend enough time in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Alabama and LA, you'll probably understand some of the humor here.

Although, the movie can be quite racist. Also, too many sex jokes.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
ExceladeogunAug 5, 2023
Joy Ride

Joy Ride is a raunchy and comedic journey of retracing one's roots. It's a hit on true representation and shows that Asian Americans are also bankable comedic acts. Joy Ride succeeds due to how unbridled it is. It is sleazy,Joy Ride

Joy Ride is a raunchy and comedic journey of retracing one's roots.

It's a hit on true representation and shows that Asian Americans are also bankable comedic acts.

Joy Ride succeeds due to how unbridled it is. It is sleazy, titillating and wrapped beautifully with effortless comedy. The sex montage halfway through is a memorable moment. Joy Ride is not just a wild comedy, but also a heartfelt flick on female friendships; it's also delightful how it winds down with an emotional ending.

The quartet of Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu are brimming with chemistry, and it's very easy to follow them on this journey.

7/10… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
alanpotter17Jul 24, 2023
Traduzido no Brasil para "Loucas em apuros", temos em Joy Ride uma comédia despretensiosa e que, muitas vezes, navega no próprio besteirol, mas por alguma razão parece meio datada, e olha que estamos falando de uma comédia com protagonistasTraduzido no Brasil para "Loucas em apuros", temos em Joy Ride uma comédia despretensiosa e que, muitas vezes, navega no próprio besteirol, mas por alguma razão parece meio datada, e olha que estamos falando de uma comédia com protagonistas mulheres (e talvez um homem trans).
Ao tentar fechar um negócio na China, uma das meninas (que é adotada e vive nos EUA) terá a oportunidade de aproximar-se da sua mãe biológica, até porque no contato que tivera com o outro lado partícipe, ele deixara claro a necessidade de que empreendedores conheçam o seu passado.
Assim, temos um perigo em comédia vim dar o ar da graça: o limiar do humor até o puro estereótipo, neste caso, étnico. Os chineses apegados ao mundo de tradição contrastam com a vida mais pragmática do Ocidente.
Embora o filme faça graça dos arquétipos, até que consegue ser bem sucedido com suas piadas, algumas constrangedoras e outras que funcionam, graças ao carisma do elenco. É tudo meio bobo, sim, e não sei se pode soar ofensivo para determinado grupo, mas o fato que o carisma das personagens e suas personalidades ajudam. Há também um avanço em mostrar mulheres mais à vontade em falar de sexo, e por mais que passe despercebida a comparação, é um humor que pega o que há de melhor em American Pie por exemplo (tá, não é lá grande referência), provando que piadas de cunho sexual não precisam ter como base a misoginia.
Com referência ao K-pop, BTS, ao mundo digital dos memes e lives, é um filme que já nasce datado para a geração tik tok, provavelmente envelhecerá mal, mas servirá como um registro de passatempo cômico nessa nova era. Sua mensagem final, antenada ao discurso mainstream (vencer na vida apesar das dificuldades), prova que de fato não temos nada absolutamente novo ou inovador aqui, então, basta ir assistir para dar boas risadas.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
actorstherapyJul 9, 2023
Okay... so I got to see this movie at the LA Premiere. However, I've been holding off on reviewing because I wasn't sure if we were able to talk about it. Of course we were. And we should have. It was freaking hilarious. Now sure, theyOkay... so I got to see this movie at the LA Premiere. However, I've been holding off on reviewing because I wasn't sure if we were able to talk about it. Of course we were. And we should have. It was freaking hilarious. Now sure, they aren't really breaking any molds here... 4 super different misfits yet similar cruising around an unknown place discovering things about themselves and how their relationships work... think City Slickers, The Hangover, Bridesmaids, Girl Trip, etc. Now, raise the raunchy factor up a few notches, add in K-pop, drug muling, and Chinese Soaps and you get somewhat of an approximation of Joy Ride. But aside from the raunchy LOL humor, what really got me was the story and its depictions of the challenges that Asian Americans go through in connecting with their "home country". As the child of both immigrants and 3 generations of Asian American AND the sibling of an adoptee, I can't even begin to describe how many boxes this movie checked for me on a personal level. Go see it. You'll never look at Cardi B and the Eiffel Tower the same way again.… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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10
KommadavusJul 16, 2023
Loved it!!!
I liked the atmosphere that was presented!
Just enjoyed watching it
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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6
MaxthorSep 3, 2023
On one hand, Joy Ride proves that women are no less capable than men regarding adult gross-out humour and comedic elements, on the other hand, the movie's theme, which blends various social elements like friendship, culture and genders, isOn one hand, Joy Ride proves that women are no less capable than men regarding adult gross-out humour and comedic elements, on the other hand, the movie's theme, which blends various social elements like friendship, culture and genders, is subdued by an unrealistic and one-sided script, preventing it from becoming a genuinely informative film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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