I haven’t laughed as hard as I have at The Gutter in a long time. At some point, absolutely silly, raunchy, cheap comedy lost me, with films like Friendship at TIFF 2024 being lost on me. However, when I saw D’Arcy Carden as someone named Skunk, and MILES MORALES himself Shameik Moore tearing off his shirt, I knew I couldn’t resist. What really put the icing on the cake, however, was Susan Sarandon as a hard-core, pro bowler.
I believe the email I sent about reviewing The Gutter said “I think I need this in my life,” and I was very right. No, The Gutter isn’t about to win any Oscars—though a mullet-wearing Adam Brody may deserve one—but the movie is a quick 92-minute trip perfect for anyone who needs an adult-rated laugh.
The story follows Walt (Moore) beginning during a horribly inappropriate job interview where he somehow lands a job at the world’s most rundown bowling alley. Here he meets Skunk (Carden), an ex-pro bowler, and the two misfits hit it off as friends, despite all odds. The plot quickly moves forward when a building inspector (Brody) tells the owner that in order to keep the alley going, she will need $200K in 60 days.
“Carden is by far the highlight of The Gutter, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the cast doesn’t shine almost as bright.”
Luckily, Skunk and Walt find out that he happens to be an expert bowling, even though he had no idea. We then follow the pair from tournament to tournament, slowly descending into even more chaos with each new match. Long story short, Sarandon plays a pro-bowler who aims to fight to keep her title. It isn’t the most complex story out there, but the plot is a great pillar for some of the funniest moments I’ve seen on screen all year.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, D’Arcy Carden is comedy royalty. Everything this woman touches turns to gold and I will fight anyone who says otherwise (Obviously not, I’m a critic. I’m soft). The comedic timing she has is unmatched, and the way she can deliver the most unhinged lines in completely believable way. Carden is by far the highlight of The Gutter, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the cast doesn’t shine almost as bright.
I have never seen Shameik Moore in anything outside of hearing his voice as Miles Morales. Let me tell you how SHOOK I was listening to his jokes about threesomes, watching him rip his shirt off any chance he gets, and cover himself in Pornhub stickers. Moore managed to hold his own against comedy greats like Sarandon, Paul Scheer, Paul Reiser and more. Was I shocked at some of the things he said, absolutely, but did I laugh? You’re damn right I did.
I mentioned a few names, but the cameos in The Gutter are to die for. In every scene I found myself saying “Wait a minute, isn’t that…” and I was usually right. How they got some of these people to sign on for a quick line or two is beyond me. And I thought Susan Sarandon would be a split-second cameo too, but she has quite a bit of screen time. Again, how they pulled these stings, I’m not sure, but Sarandon was hilarious, vulgar and utterly perfect. I think it was the crotch grab that got me. Also, HOW IS THE 78 YEARS OLD? But I digress…
As I said, The Gutter isn’t reinventing the wheel by any means in terms of plot, but it made me laugh my ass off. In 2024, in my mid-thirties, I thought I was lost when it came to screwball comedy. The Gutter had me howling during the first interview sequence, and I highly recommend it to any looking for a good—albeit cheap—laugh.
