‘Plus One’ Is The Perfect Saturday Night Date Movie

Editor’s Note: This essay about Plus One was originally published here on Decider in June of 2019, but we have republished it in honor of the film’s recent arrival on Netflix.

---

I consume an inordinate amount of pop culture. Occupational hazard, ya know? Many of the TV shows and movies I watch fall somewhere between fine and forgettable. Plus One, Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer’s charming indie rom-com, is decidedly not one of those films.

Newly available to stream on Netflix, Plus One is the perfect example of a rom-com done right. Starring the charismatic duo of Maya Erskine and Jack Quaid, the film — which follows two longtime pals (Alice and Ben) trying to survive wedding season by agreeing to be each other’s plus one to a seemingly endless parade of ceremonies — is a piquant blend of bravado and sentimentality. All the tried and true staples of the classic formula are present and accounted for, but instead of trying to subvert the genre, the film embraces what audiences appreciate about a well-constructed rom-com. Much like a few of my personal favorites — The Cutting Edge, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Always Be My Maybe, The Big Sick — Plus One features a uniquely funny script with a strong point-of-view, endearing characters you can’t help but root for, and lively chemistry between the leads. But what sets the movie apart from lesser films is its unflinching authenticity. Alice and Ben are both flawed, three-dimensional characters fighting an uphill battle against their own insecurities. Alice is recovering from a recent breakup, and Ben’s perpetual uncertainty and skewed romantic expectations combine to torpedo any chance he has of happiness.

The film finds unconventional ways to inject its distinct brand of comedy into the mix while still maintaining an ideal balance of humor and heart. It exudes a disarming charm as it deconstructs modern romance and reexamines the unrealistic idea of finding “the one.”

The difference between good and great is razor thin. Plus One is a macro success because it flourishes on so many micro levels. The indie rock band Real Estate provides the perfect soundtrack, the screenplay is exceptional, and the ensemble cast — which features Ed Begley Jr., Perrey Reeves, Max Jenkins, Rosalind Chao, Brandon Kyle Goodman, and a fun cameo from Erskine’s PEN15 costar Anna Konkle — add an extra layer of depth and humor to the film. Saturday Night Live’s Beck Bennett is a true standout in a limited role, bringing both levity and pathos to the “friend who shows the protagonist the error of his ways” character.

Plus One is an A to Z victory for a variety of reasons, but at the top of that list is the performances of Erskine and Quaid.

If these two dreamboats don’t charm your pants right off then you just flat-out don’t have a pulse. I knew Erskine from Casual and PEN15, two immensely different shows that I nonetheless love with all my heart, but I was unfamiliar with Jack Quaid. Yes, this is the part where I mention that Quaid was literally born into rom-com supremacy (he’s the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid), and while Plus One emits some serious modern When Harry Met Sally vibes (and I mean that in the best way possible), Quaid was born to be a leading man, regardless of surname. The two radiate chemistry and have an innate way of making every actor around them better. The pair remind me of Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell from last year’s Set It Up, in that their performances leave you wishing you could spend more time with the characters.

Plus One is not only organically endearing, it’s the type of film that stays with you long after viewing. It deftly captures both the isolating feeling of being the only single person amidst a sea of couples and the comforting joy of finally finding the one person who truly gets you. It’s genuine and cool without being pretentious about it, but at the same time, it’ll make you nostalgic for the one who got away.

I admit that Plus One is tailor-made for me so mileage may vary, but I can’t imagine a fellow human being watching this film and not having an enjoyable experience. I think almost everyone will like Plus One, but there’s a certain subset of hopeful yet slightly jaded romantics who will absolutely love it.