I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU -- An Enjoyable but Underdeveloped Comedy Horror

Review by Camden Ferrell

I Don’t Understand You is the first collaboration between directors David Joseph Craig and Brian Crano. This queer horror comedy first premiered at the 2024 South by Southwest Film Festival. Even though the movie seems to have a lot of over-the-top fun with its premise and two stars, it desperately lacks narrative substance that it continually hints at yet never explores. 

Dom and Cole are a gay couple from Los Angeles who decide to visit Italy for their 10th anniversary. In addition to their celebration, they are currently trying to be considered for adoption of a new baby. While in Italy, they find themselves treated to a private dinner at a closed rural restaurant. During the evening, things quickly get out of hand for the couple as they try their best to get home to preserve the family they desperately want to have. It tackles themes and ideas that aren’t particularly new, but it’s something that could have been fresh given the horror comedy genre.  
 
Written by Craig and Crano, the writing for this movie is serviceable at best and disappointing at worst. It nails the banter between its leads in a realistic yet engaging way, and it plays to the strengths of its actors. Some of the more shocking narrative choices work to mixed effect. Some moments feel unearned while others land with a fun blend of shock and comedy. However, the movie struggles with tackling more earnest themes that are addressed but underdeveloped. While the movie is a comedy, it doesn’t mean it has to avoid more sincere discussions of emotional and relevant themes for its characters. Impending fatherhood and the anxieties and conflicts that arise are interesting themes to explore, but it barely even scratches the surface with vague occasional references. 

The movie is led by Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells as Dom and Cole, respectively. Both stars bring a much-needed energy to the movie that helps keep it afloat even when its script is lacking. They both are able to fully lean into the more comedic and absurd aspects of this movie while having some pretty convincing chemistry between them.  ​

Despite my issues with the noticeable lack of depth in this movie, I can’t deny that it’s still fun. It breezes through its runtime (maybe a little too fast at times), and it’s still worth a handful of laughs. And it still has its fair share of tender and heartwarming moments that will still make you smile even if they lack the nuance that better development would have afforded it. 

Fans of horror and comedy alike will find something to enjoy in I Don’t Understand You whether it's the blood, romance, or quips. It’s a nice sidebar during the summer blockbuster season for those who want something a little smaller in scale while still being a fun way to pass an afternoon in the theaters. It may not persist in my memory much longer, but I liked it more than I didn’t. 

I Don’t Understand You is in theaters June 6. 

Rating: 3/5