SXSW Comedies
March 6th, 2025 / Kevin Ward
SXSW Film and TV Festival is known for showcasing an eclectic mix of comedies, from quirky indies to sharp-witted ensemble pieces, and this year’s lineup is no exception. We’ve already previewed a few standout comedies—including Death of a Unicorn, Another Simple Favor, Slanted, Mermaid, and It Ends—in our Headliners, Intriguing Projects, and Sci-Fi Horror previews. But there are plenty more laugh-out-loud, high-concept, and unexpected comedies that have caught my attention. Here are the ones that stand out at the festival.
Friendship
Synopsis: Suburban dad Craig has his life turned upside down by the arrival of a new neighbor. As Craig’s attempts to make an adult male friend spiral out of control, their blossoming relationship threatens to ruin both of their lives.
What Excites Me: With Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave) leading the charge, this feels like an instant must-watch. Robinson’s brand of unhinged awkwardness paired with Rudd’s affable charm is a comedic dream team. Add in Kate Mara and Jack Dylan Grazer, and this is an easy pick for one of my most anticipated comedies—especially after garnering some buzz coming out of TIFF last year.
Credits: Directed by Andrew DeYoung, written by Andrew DeYoung, starring Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer. Produced by A24. US Release date: May 9, 2025.
Credit: Photo by Spencer Pazer. Courtesy of A24
Fantasy Life
Synopsis: After losing his job as a paralegal, Sam Stein suffers a panic attack and stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters. The girls' mother, Dianne, is an actor whose once-promising career has stalled; she's in a difficult marriage to David, a rock bassist. When David goes abroad on tour, Dianne and Sam discover an easy rapport as well as a shared history of mental illness. Sam joins Dianne's family to babysit for the summer on Martha's Vineyard, and he ends up in a house with the woman he pines for, her husband, the three kids, and all four grandparents, including his psychiatrist.
What Excites Me: This sounds like the perfect mix of comedy and drama, with a chaotic web of relationships that could be both hilarious and deeply uncomfortable. With a cast featuring Amanda Peet, Matthew Shear, Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, Jessica Harper, Holland Taylor, and Sheng Wang, the ensemble alone makes this one to watch.
Credits: Directed by Matthew Shear, written by Matthew Shear, starring Amanda Peet, Matthew Shear, Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin, Zosia Mamet, Jessica Harper, Holland Taylor, Sheng Wang. US Release Date: Awaiting distribution.
Credit: Fantasy Life Productions LLC
For Worse
Synopsis: Lauren, a newly divorced, sober mom, feels like she has a new lease on life after joining her first acting class and starting a fling with her hot, young scene partner. However, when they attend their Gen Z classmate's wedding together, things begin to fall apart, and Lauren finds herself behaving like a drunk 25-year-old bridesmaid. Luckily after a disastrous night, she stumbles into a new day and a new beginning.
What Excites Me: The premise feels like it could lead to some great comedic chaos, and with a cast including Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, Nico Hiraga, Gaby Hoffmann, Ken Marino, Missi Pyle, Kiersey Clemons, Claudia Sulewski, Simon Helberg, and Liv Hewson, there’s no shortage of talent to bring it to life.
Credits: Directed by Amy Landecker. Screenplay by Amy Landecker. Starring Amy Landecker, Bradley Whitford, Nico Hiraga, Gaby Hoffmann, Ken Marino, Missi Pyle, Kiersey Clemons, Claudia Sulewski, Simon Helberg, Liv Hewson. US Release Date: Awaiting distribution.
Credit: Bec Baehler
Summer of 69
Synopsis: High schooler Abby Flores has spent her days playing video games and fantasizing about her crush, Max Warren. When she discovers he’s finally single in the last week of school, she decides to do whatever it takes to land the guy before it’s too late—including enlisting the help of a local stripper named Santa Monica.
What Excites Me: Chloe Fineman is consistently great on SNL, and I’m excited to see how she transitions to the big screen. Throw in Nicole Byer and Charlie Day, and this sounds like a chaotic, fun coming-of-age comedy.
Credits: Directed by Jillian Bell. Written by Jillian Bell, Jules Byrne, Liz Nico. Starring Chloe Fineman, Sam Morelos, Matt Cornett, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Natalie Morales, Alex Moffat, Fernando Carsa, Paula Pell, Charlie Day. Production Studio: American High. US Release Date: Awaiting distribution.
Credit: Disney/Brett Roedel
The Ballad of Wallis Island
Synopsis: Charles, an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island, dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer, back together. His fantasy quickly turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.
What Excites Me: I’m always interested in Carey Mulligan projects, and this one sounds like an oddball character piece with a ton of potential. A Sundance premiere making its way to SXSW, this is one I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on.
Credits: Directed by James Griffiths. Written by Tim Key, Tom Basden. Starring Carey Mulligan. Produced by Baby Cow Productions. US Release Date: March 28, 2025—Focus Features
Credit: Alistair Heap/Focus Features ©2025 All Rights Reserved
The Baltimorons
Synopsis: After cracking a tooth on Christmas Eve, newly sober Cliff embarks on an unexpected May/December adventure through Baltimore with Didi, his emergency dentist.
What Excites Me: Being written by Jay Duplass, with a title like The Baltimorons, evokes a certain style of screwball comedy we don't see much of anymore. The premise alone suggests a mix of absurdity and heart, and with a cast featuring Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen, and Olivia Luccardi, this could be one of those unexpected indie gems that surprises at the festival.
Credits: Directed by Jay Duplass. Written by Jay Duplass, Michael Strassner. Starring Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen, Olivia Luccardi. US Release Date: Awaiting distribution.
Caption: | Credit: Jessie Cohen
The Threesome
Synopsis: One fateful night, Connor’s longtime crush, Olivia, steers them into a threesome with alluring stranger Jenny. The encounter sparks a relationship between Connor and Olivia that grows quickly—until Jenny reappears, forcing them into a messy journey toward true accountability and adulthood.
What Excites Me: A strong cast featuring Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruby Cruz, and Jaboukie Young-Whitemakes this an easy sell. Relationship dynamics mixed with comedy and drama? This could be a sharp and entertaining ride.
Credits: Directed by Chad Hartigan. Written by Ethan Ogilby. starring Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruby Cruz, Jaboukie Young-White, Josh Segarra, Robert Longstreet, Arden Myrin, Kristin Slaysman, Allan McLeod, Julia Sweeney. Production: Studio Star Thrower Entertainment. US Release Date: Awaiting distribution.
Credit: Star Thrower Entertainment