Ottawa moviegoers scanning for their next comedy pick have a new contender: 'Spa Weekend,' directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, the duo behind some of the more chaotic buddy comedies of the last decade. The film follows three friends whose relaxing spa getaway spirals into chaos the moment their trainwreck friend crashes the trip, with hilarious (and occasionally cringeworthy) consequences.
A Cast Ottawa Audiences Will Recognize
The film stars Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris, four comedic heavyweights whose past work has found steady audiences in Ottawa's rep cinemas and streaming queues alike. For fans who've caught Mann in her collaborations with Judd Apatow, or Fisher in her long run of ensemble comedies, the pairing alone is enough to spark curiosity. Buteau and Faris round out the cast with their own brand of sharp, physical comedy, which should appeal to anyone who enjoys the genre's louder, more chaotic corner.
Zen in Theory, Cringe in Practice
According to Ottawa Life Magazine's review, Lucas and Moore lean hard into the setup: a peaceful spa weekend hijacked by disaster. The pair are known for films that thrive on escalating awkwardness rather than tight plotting, and 'Spa Weekend' apparently follows that same formula. The review notes the film aims for comedic zen, poking fun at wellness culture and the friend-group dynamics that unravel under stress, but doesn't always stick the landing, occasionally tipping from funny into uncomfortable.
That's not necessarily a dealbreaker. Lucas and Moore's other work has built a reputation for embracing messy, over-the-top scenarios, and audiences who enjoy that style of humour may find plenty to like here, even if some jokes miss.
Where Ottawa Can Catch It
For Ottawa residents deciding whether to carve out time for 'Spa Weekend,' it's worth checking listings at local theatres like the ByTowne Cinema or the Landmark Cinemas at St. Laurent, as well as major streaming platforms, since ensemble comedies like this one often move quickly between a limited theatrical run and home viewing. With Ottawa's film calendar leaning toward festival programming and awards-season dramas this time of year, a broad studio comedy like this one offers a lighter alternative for a weekend outing or a night in.
Whether 'Spa Weekend' ends up being a rewatchable favourite or a one-and-done comedy for Ottawa audiences may come down to personal tolerance for cringe humour. Fans of Lucas and Moore's earlier films will likely know what they're signing up for, chaos, big personalities, and a plot that prioritizes laughs over polish.
Source: Ottawa Life Magazine
