Tom Kingsley (Black Pond, The Darkest Universe) directs this British comedy about unsuccessful improv comedy actors Kat (Bryce Dallas Howard), Marlon (Orlando Bloom), and Hugh (Nick Mohammed), who’re recruited by Det. Sgt. Graham Billings (Sean Bean) to buy counterfeit cigarettes from a nearby vendor, but their assignment grows after they improvise their way up the criminal enterprise with a drug deal, quickly putting them in real danger.
The three leads are terrific. Bloom is especially funny as a wannabe method actor who always takes his character a step too far. Howard is the improv teacher who wonders why her career failed to launch. Mohammed is endearing as an IT worker who’s trying to gain confidence and be more liked and accepted at work.
There’s also a lot of terrific co-stars in this ensemble cast, including Paddy Considine as Fly, a mid-level criminal who’s impressed with Kat’s quick thinking; Ian McShane as a ruthless criminal kingpin; and Sonoya Mizuno as Shosh, a seasoned killer who takes a shine to Hugh.
If you’ve ever done improv, the rule is to agree with your improv partner and add on, “Yes, and,” and in this freewheeling comedy, that leads straight to funny town. (99 min.)
—Glen Starkey
This article appears in Jul 3-10, 2025.