Somebody I Used to Know

Ally is the showrunner of a successful, but waning, reality TV series called Dessert Island. In an effort to keep the show from being cancelled, she gets the season's winning contestant to cry on camera while talking about his divorce. This boosts ratings but does not get the show another season.

With no social life outside work, Ally faces withdrawal. She decides to take a break for the first time in years, and visit her mother in Leavenworth, Washington. At a bar, she runs into an ex-boyfriend, Sean. They hit it off and spend the night revisiting old memories around town.

When Sean drops her home in the morning, Ally kisses him and invites him inside. He refuses, citing the short duration of her visit. Later in the day, Ally goes to his house to apologize, but is invited inside by Sean's family who are throwing a party. She meets a new woman called Cassidy, later learning that she is Sean's fiancée, and that this is their wedding weekend. Sean's mother Jojo insists Ally film the event.

Over drinks, Ally finds out from Benny that Cassidy's background is mysterious - she is alienated from her parents, who will not be attending the wedding, and she met Sean only half a year ago. He also reveals that Sean knew Ally was in the bar and was seeking her out when they met. Ally decides to try if the relationship with Sean can be rekindled.

Cassidy performs with her punk rock band and invites Ally to do an impromptu performance, hoping to make her look bad. She is obviously uncomfortable with Sean's ex attending the wedding, but also seems warm and friendly with his other friends. She reveals to Ally her reluctance at having to give up her band after marriage. Ally notices parallels between her younger self and Cassidy. Meanwhile, Sean is distracted by the growing closeness between Ally and Cassidy.

A streaming platform is interested in taking over Dessert Island for another season. Ally sets up an interview. She gets her assistant, Kayla, to send an anonymous invitation to Cassidy's parents for the wedding. When they show up, Cassidy is furious at Sean believing he invited them, and calls off the wedding. Ally does not claim responsibility, and Sean is left heartbroken and confused.

In her room, she and Sean discuss the past. He wishes she had never left, but Ally is happy to have gained a successful career. She makes Sean realize that he might be suppressing Cassidy in the same way he did (with Ally) when they were together. She also encourages Cassidy to fight to keep her band. Sean apologises, and Cassidy reneges on cancelling the wedding. Ally leaves for her mother's house again.

Dessert Island is renewed for another season, but Ally chooses to pass the show onto Kayla. Instead, she directs another show on a topic that aligns more with her interests - nudism. After the day's shoot, an assistant who had previously turned her down, asks her out. She tells him she is visiting her mother, but that she is free the weekend after.

In August 2021, it was announced that Alison Brie, Jay Ellis and Kiersey Clemons had joined the cast of the film, with Dave Franco directing from a screenplay he wrote alongside Brie. Amazon Studios produced and distributed through Prime Video.[1] In September 2021, Julie Hagerty, Haley Joel Osment, Amy Sedaris, Danny Pudi, Zoë Chao, Evan Jonigkeit, Olga Merediz, Ayden Mayeri and Kelvin Yu joined the cast of the film.[2] Franco said the film was inspired by '80s and '90s romantic comedies.[3]

Principal photography began in and around Portland, Oregon in September 2021.[4][5] In August 2022, Brie stated that post-production had wrapped and the film was finished.[6]

The film was released on February 10, 2023.[7]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 72% of 68 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The website's consensus reads, "While it might have been more satisfying with a sharper focus, Somebody I Used to Know is a funny, uniquely nuanced rom-com with some interesting things to say."[8]

• Official website
• Somebody I Used to Know at IMDb