Film

The Binge

Name: The Binge
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2020
Cast: Skyler Gisondo, Dexter Darden, Eduardo Franco, Vince Vaughn, Grace Van Dien

Comedy

A sci-fi comedy about a future where drugs and alcohol are banned except for one lawless night a year. High school seniors embark on a chaotic quest to reach the ultimate party, dodging their unhinged principal and various hazards. It's silly, crude, and built on the kind of premise that lets you watch chaos unfold without consequence. For anyone who enjoys dumb fun with a slight dystopian wrapper.

TMDb rating

2.7

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy raunchy teen comedies with a loose, absurd dystopian edge, where the chaos is the point and the jokes come fast enough to forgive a rough patch.

Skip it if you want sharp, consistent satire or a tidy plot; this one is scrappy and uneven, and its sillier beats can feel more like filler than invention.

What it asks of you: Roughly ninety-eight minutes of breezy, loud momentum, with little pause for reflection; you go along with the bluster rather than digging into the world's logic.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

Project X2012

Found-footage party film that understands the appeal of watching kids make spectacularly bad decisions. Genuinely funny in its escalation and unapologetic about what it is—pure teenage mayhem on camera.

But Shaky cam gets exhausting, and the humour is aggressively bro-coded. If you hate party movies, this won't change your mind.

Superbad2007

High school comedy that nails the specific desperation of teens trying to seem cooler than they are. Smart enough to be funny without punching down, with characters you actually root for beneath the chaos.

But It's a genuine coming-of-age film, not just jokes—so it has earnestness. If you want pure stupidity with zero heart, this has too much of both.

Blockers2018

Parents pursuing their daughters' road trip leads to absurd set pieces and surprisingly good-natured humour. Commits fully to its premise and trusts the audience to follow it anywhere ridiculous.

But The plot is thin, and the film knows it. If you need narrative momentum or character development, you'll be waiting the whole time.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from The Binge

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Slam Dance1987

Both are about surviving one night while the world conspires against you. But where The Binge is comedy, Slamdance is paranoia and desperation wrapped in neon.

A struggling filmmaker is framed for murder and spends one night on the run through Los Angeles. It's got the same anarchic energy as a party comedy but weaponized into a neo-noir. The film moves like a pinball machine, and you're just hanging on.

But It's genuinely chaotic to the point of confusion sometimes—the plot gets away from itself, and you may not entirely follow where you are. Shot on a low budget with an experimental feel.

Booksmart2019

One night, two overachieving teens try to cram four years of fun into a few hours. Sharp writing, genuine affection for its characters, and visual inventiveness that makes every scene pop.

But It's smarter than The Binge—if you want pure dumb fun without wit, this might feel like it's showing off.

Neighbors2014

Couples versus a fraternity in an escalating war of pranks and chaos. Surprisingly fun because it commits to the stupidity and isn't pretending to be anything else.

But The humour is very 2014—dated references and occasional nastiness that lands poorly now. If you need something that feels current, look elsewhere.

Bad Boys II2003

Over-the-top action comedy where the plot barely matters and the film just wants you to watch cops cause havoc. Directed by Michael Bay at maximum volume—if that's your speed, it's a blast.

But It's loud, aggressive, and deeply silly in ways that feel mean-spirited. If you prefer comedy with a light touch, this swings a sledgehammer.

We're the Millers2013

Misfits pretend to be a family on a road trip to smuggle drugs. Genuinely warm underneath the premise, with a cast that commits completely to every dumb moment.

But The comedy relies heavily on embarrassment and crude jokes that don't always land. Some of it feels like it's trying too hard to be edgy.

Pineapple Express2008

A stoner and his dealer become unlikely action heroes while high. Balances genuine character moments with absurdist violence and has real chemistry between its leads.

But It's very much a 2008 film with dated references. If weed comedy isn't your thing, the whole premise might feel thin.

Four Rooms1995

A bellhop navigates increasingly insane guests in a hotel over one night. Stylish, weird, and committed to its premise in ways that feel unique. Directed by four different people, each bringing something different.

But It's a Tarantino-era oddity that hasn't aged smoothly. The humour is self-conscious and the film sometimes mistakes randomness for comedy.

Attack the Block2011

Both use a high-concept sci-fi rule (aliens, one party night) to let regular kids become the heroes of their own story. Attack the Block takes it seriously.

South London teens defend their neighbourhood from invading aliens. It's a sci-fi premise grafted onto a British urban comedy, funny and violent in equal measure. Smart about class and community while still delivering pure genre fun.

But The South London accent is thick and subtitles help. The tonal shifts between comedy and genuine danger can feel jarring if you're expecting consistent tone.

mid90s2018

Both follow a group of young kids on a kind of quest, but Mid90s is about real friendships and identity, not partying. It shows the other side of what The Binge treats as pure fun.

Jonah Hill's directorial debut about a 13-year-old joining a skate crew over a transformative summer. It's funny and loose, shot on Super 16, and captures the specific chaos of youth without condescension. You feel the friendships.

But It's elliptical and understated—if you want plot, there barely is one. Some viewers find it meandering and more interested in mood than narrative. And it's genuinely sad underneath.