Long contested, the fight for more Asian representation in contemporary Hollywood is just now beginning to show signs that the tide may be turning. The highly acclaimed 2018 release of Jon M.
Chu’s Crazy Rich Asians were swiftly followed by Bong Joon-Parasite Ho’s winning Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards, making it the first-ever foreign language film to do so.
Shang-Chi and the Tale of the Ten Rings, a huge box office hit during the Pandemic era, was the first Asian-led superhero movie produced by Marvel Studios in 2021.
The Everything Everywhere All at Once performance by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert at the 2023 Academy Awards, which saw the movie win a total of seven prizes, was far more recent than all of these. Long overdue, this dramatic increase in representation is something that many anticipate will continue over the next years.
Hollywood has long disregarded the acting prowess of Asian-American performers, but suddenly celebrities like Michelle Yeoh are receiving praise. The next generation of Asian-American talent may see themselves represented at the highest level, and new stars are having the chance to emerge.
One of these rising stars is Stephanie Hsu, who received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 95th Academy Awards for her incredibly fascinating depiction of Jobu Tupaki/Joy in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Even though she didn’t win—her co-star Jamie Lee Curtis received the honor—the film industry was watching her and wondering what she would do next. All of the actress’s recent admirers are therefore justifiably on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the upcoming comedy film Joy Ride, in which Hsu will star.
Here is what we currently know about Joy Ride, taking into consideration the foregoing and the recent release of the trailer.
Joy Ride Release Date: Where and When?
The wait for Joy Ride has thankfully not been too long, as rumors of the movie began to circulate in mid-2021. Lionsgate revealed the film’s title in February 2023, and since then, fans have been waiting for a clear release date.
Ultimately, it was revealed that starting July 7, 2023, Joy Ride will only be available in US theaters. If any moviegoers want to watch the movie as soon as possible, a trip over the pond may be necessary.
Fans of the movie in the UK will be able to see it a little bit earlier on June 23, 2023. For the few who were fortunate enough, the movie did have its debut on March 17, 2023, at SXSW.
sorry, blacked out. release date is actually July 7! 🫶 #JoyRideMovie riding into theaters July 7 – redband trailer later today. 🔞 pic.twitter.com/DVxYfZsfZq
— Joy Ride (@JoyRideMovie) March 17, 2023
Joy Ride Plot
With a comedy of this type, the plot is frequently disregarded in favor of the outrageous set pieces or other memorable moments. The plot, however, is the foundation of every great film, and some of the best comedic performances in modern cinema significantly rely on their storylines. In light of that, the Joy Ride plot summary is as follows:
“The hilarious and unapologetically explicit story of identity and self-discovery centers on four unlikely friends who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure. When Audrey’s business trip to Asia goes sideways, she enlists the aid of Lolo, her irreverent, childhood best friend who also happens to be a hot mess; Kat, her college friend turned Chinese soap star; and Deadeye, Lolo’s eccentric cousin. Their no-holds-barred, epic experience becomes a journey of bonding, friendship, belonging, and wild debauchery that reveals the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are.”
The characters’ capacity for insanity and the plot’s iconic comedic gold potential should be enough to get anyone pumped for the film’s debut. The preceding synopsis already makes references to “identity” and “self-discovery,” therefore it is likely that the movie will also deal with more profound subjects.
Which Actors Will Be Appearing in Joy Ride in Undisclosed Roles?
Any comedy’s ensemble cast determines whether or not the movie succeeds. It will be crucial that Joy Ride’s casting team has made the proper choices given how well-liked the current crop of Asian-American talent is.
Fortunately, their choices appear to be spot-on, with actors like the aforementioned Stephanie Hsu as Kat, Ashley Park as Audrey, Sherry Cola as Lolo, Debbie Fan as Jenny, Desmond Chiam as Clarence, Alexander Hodge as Todd, David Denman as Todd’s adoptive parents, and Annie Mumolo as Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar as Audrey’s adoptive parents.
In unspecified roles, the movie will also feature Ronny Chieng (M3GAN), Lori Tan Chinn (Orange is the New Black), and Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians). Of course, Joy Ride also stars a host of other outstanding performers, but just looking at this cast list—along with the premise, cast, and trailer—makes it clear that this comedy should not be missed in 2023.
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Joy Ride Official Red Band Trailer
As previously announced, a red-band trailer for Joy Ride is available to view below. Just be aware that it is an Obscene trailer.
The quips in the teaser appear both edgy and fitting for the style, exuding the brands of humor associated with producers Cherry Chevapravatdumrong (Family Guy) and Seth Rogen (Superbad). The story was written by Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao (American Dad!) and Adele Lim (Raya and the Last Dragon).
The writers appear to be having a great time writing the script, which is evident in how much fun they are having. This comes as no surprise as Adele Lim also wrote Crazy Rich Asians, a book that serves as a sort of spiritual forerunner to this film.
In addition to being the film’s director, Lim is making her acting debut; based on what we’ve seen so far in the trailer, it appears to be a successful debut for her. The clip, which appears to be full of pure joy, implores fans of the cast or crew’s earlier work to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
