Holiday celebrations have long been the go-to trope for comedy films. “Friendsgiving” is yet another entry venturing into this already crowded sub-genre. The project is taking on a fairly new tradition as friends meet up for their own gathering in hopes of leaving the family debacles behind. The film’s writer and director—Nicol Paone—provides a unique take; no doubt driven by her years of experience appearing in numerous series. It’s also Paone’s first time behind the camera, with several writing credits for shorts like 2015’s “Climate Change Denial Disorder.”
Malin Akerman and Kat Dennings head up an all-star cast filled with funny folks. Dennings’ role as Abby is a noteworthy change from her performance on the series “2 Broke Girls,” offering the chance to show viewers what she is capable of before appearing in “WandaVision” later this year. The pair create an excellent balance that helps the story move forward without weighing down the contributions of their co-stars: Aisha Tyler, Chelsea Peretti, Christine Taylor, Jane Seymour, Deon Cole, Ryan Hansen, and Wanda Sykes. Ackerman also serves as producer, another notable producer on the project is actor and director Ben Stiller.
The Film’s Official Synopsis:
Abby is looking forward to a laid-back Thanksgiving with her best friend Molly. But the friends’ plans for a quiet turkey dinner go up in smoke when they’re joined by Molly’s new boyfriend and her flamboyant mother. Throw in some party crashers including Molly’s old flame, a wannabe shaman, and a trio of Fairy Gay Mothers, and it’s a recipe for a comically chaotic holiday no one will ever forget—even if they wanted to!
There’s nothing like a gathering of friends, especially when nothing goes as planned. Watch the first trailer for “Friendsgiving” below. The film premieres in theaters as well as on-demand and digital on October 23rd. It also arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on October 27.