Riff Raff (2025) - Film Review

      Riff Raff, 2025.

      Directed by Dito Montiel.

      Featuring Miles J. Harvey, Jennifer Coolidge, Ed Harris, Gabrielle Union, Bill Murray, Lewis Pullman, Pete Davidson, P.J. Byrne, Emanuela Postacchini, Angelic Zambrana, Michael Angelo Covino, Derrick Simmons, Sage Spielman, Lucinda Carr, Craig ‘Radio Man’ Castaldo, and Brooke Dillman.

      SYNOPSIS:

      The mundane life of a former criminal is disrupted when his estranged family comes together for a long-awaited reunion. While director Dito Montiel and screenwriter John Pollono attempt to craft a darkly comedic coming-of-age tale exploring family secrets and a legacy of crime, they seem only partially dedicated to this idea. Riff Raff opens and concludes with narration from science enthusiast and college-bound DJ Miles J. Harvey, who philosophizes about family. In the meantime, he reconnects with distant relatives tied to his stepfather Vincent (Ed Harris), including his soon-to-be-father stepbrother Rocco (Lewis Pullman) and outspoken stepmother Ruth (Jennifer Coolidge), seemingly aiming to impart life lessons and foster personal growth.

      One of the early scenes features DJ confiding in Vincent about his experiences with being friend-zoned. Vincent reveals a family secret while encouraging DJ to never settle for someone who doesn't reciprocate his feelings. Rocco, along with his pregnant girlfriend Marina (Emanuela Postacchini) and his mother, seeks refuge with his father’s new family, attempting to escape from an unspecified threat.

      Simultaneously, seasoned criminals Hannegan (Bill Murray) and Lonnie (Pete Davidson) navigate through a remote area, trying to locate which of Vincent’s several homes he is at, thereby potentially tracing him to Rocco. While it's unfair to describe the initial reunion as entirely positive, it represents a rare moment of togetherness that’s at risk of being disrupted by their arrival. As Vincent interacts with his previous family, he regresses into the angry man he was prior to his relationship with Sandy (Gabrielle Union), whom he fell in love with and promised to support throughout his life—a promise that rings hollow considering the significant age gap.

      The central issue arises when crime and violence become prominent; the coming-of-age themes quickly dissipate in favor of a misguided attempt at pulp, as the tone becomes erratic with humor rooted in clichés rather than character development. For instance, Jennifer Coolidge’s performance feels less like a character and more like a caricature of her typical roles, resulting in humor that fails to resonate. A late twist seems forced, attempting to infuse more emotional intensity into a narrative that's already hard to take seriously. Despite their efforts, this talented cast struggles to elevate the film beyond mere watchability and superficial entertainment, failing to mask the project's perplexing nature.

      As characters face life-or-death situations, suspense is replaced by curiosity about whether Riff Raff will abruptly change course and eliminate protagonists one by one, or if they'll miraculously survive while turning the tables on the hitmen. Unfortunately, neither scenario fits the film's tone, and I’ll refrain from disclosing which path the film ultimately takes. If anything, the contrasting tones align effectively when following Bill Murray and Pete Davidson as unassuming hitmen who can quickly resort to violence; a particularly amusing scene with neighbors stands out. Unfortunately, we are left with the riff-raff.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.