Sophie Brooks (writer, story, producer, director) and Molly Gordon (lead, producer, story) took on several roles to bring arguably the most millennial/Gen Z movie imaginable. The film works so flawlessly well but is sure to get under the skin of many viewers something terrible as it is aimed solely at those two demographics and the mentality, verbiage, and reactions are so cringe-inducing yet hilarious that it’s hard not to fall in love with the charm and psychosis of what is laid out in front of us. We’ve all heard of the expression “you had me at hello,” so why don’t we shorten that for the reduced attention span and just lead with the unlikely romantic comedy that is going to potentially define a generation and simply say, “Oh, Hi!”
L-R: Logan Lerman as Isaac and Molly Gordon as Iris in OH, HI!. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
The movie focuses on Iris (Molly Gordon) and her romantic entanglement, Isaac (Logan Lerman). Their relationship has never been defined and they’ve been seeing each other for four months, but, at the start, it felt like it could’ve been a friends with benefits situationship sort of thing or even a fling. They decide to take a romantic weekend away with one another during which they partake in some light bondage. At first, Isaac suggests Iris is bound, which she agrees to but suddenly changes her mind and asks them to reverse roles, which Isaac abides by. Iris, thinking this weekend meant something more than it did, questions Isaac about the status of their “relationship” and, when things slowly become clear that he’s not in it for more than a good time, Iris decides to essentially hold him against his will, refusing to let him out of his bonds until he at least considers coming around.
L-R: John Reynolds as Kenny and Geraldine Viswanathan as Max in OH, HI!. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Nothing more romantic than a slight case of kidnapping, right? Iris, realizing she’s potentially gone too far, decides to do something equally irresponsible and calls her friend Max (Geraldine Viswanathan) who brings her boyfriend Kenny (John Reynolds) to come and help her figure out what’s happening without realizing this is technically making them accessories to the crime after the fact. A comedy of errors, madness, and what feels like the most millennial/Gen Z-coded madness of all time, ends up being an incredibly charming and downright insane feature that is boosted by the incredible performances from the lead and supporting cast.
L-R: Geraldine Viswanathan as Max and Molly Gordon as Iris in OH, HI!. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Molly Gordon (Shiva Baby) continues to shine and excel in the roles where she is allowed to truly be what feels like herself. With her hand in writing the story for Oh, Hi!, it is evident she wanted to play this role of Iris and bring it to life in a way only she could. Similar to Theater Camp (her other writing credit), she creates a character we’re not supposed to entirely like but who also is not a villain, just deeply misunderstood. Logan Lerman’s (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) Isaac, on the other hand, is supposed to get our sympathies, but, as the character is so despicable and all around just a jerk, he only receives them for the predicament he finds himself in, and they’re certainly not welcomed feelings. He plays this unlikable character incredibly well and the conniving and the turns his character makes showcase a well-rounded performance that reminds audiences what Lerman is capable of. Viswanathan (Drive-Away Dolls) and Reynolds (Horse Girl) both play supportive friends despite the predicament very well and add a level of support to Iris that truly allows their characters to shine. It’s embedded in love and acts of looking the other way, but, overall, these characters are deeply flawed (some more than others) and the entire cast brings that full circle to create a story to truly get lost in.
David Cross as Steve in OH, HI!. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
While Oh, Hi! delivers on its promise to bring forth a new contender for the rom-com fans through this “cringe but destined to be a millennial/Gen Z classic,” it may be for the wrong reasons. These characters are not likable, and they’re all horribly in the wrong. If the film is viewed as a fantasy for those that have done us wrong and lead us astray, then it works, but, by no means, are any one of these characters right in their actions. While Oh, Hi! wants to become the new romantic comedy and while it does do that well, it also feels like it’s trapped in a specific generation and will not work for audiences on either side of it.
In theaters July 25th, 2025.
For more information, head either to the official Oh, Hi! Sony Pictures Classics webpage or theatrical release website.
Final Score: 4 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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