The new movie Oh, Hi! is a dark romantic comedy that changes the way we think about relationships. Molly Gordon is the star. The movie, which had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, and a limited theatrical distribution in the US on July 25, 2025, has gotten a lot of attention for its daring idea and Gordon's great performance.
What is the "Oh, Hi!" Phenomenon? Plot, Themes, and Reception
A summary of the plot and an unusual ending
Hey there! It starts out like a conventional romantic comedy, with Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman) going on their first romantic trip together. They have been going out for four months, and their bond seems strong. But after a sexual experience in which Isaac is shackled to the bed, he says he isn't seeking for a meaningful relationship. Iris takes dramatic action after hearing this surprising confession: she keeps him tied up in the hopes that he will agree to marry her.
After that, the movie turns into a dark comedy that reminds many of Stephen King's Misery. Iris asks her best friend Max (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Max's boyfriend Kenny (John Reynolds) to assist her deal with the scenario that is getting more and more ridiculous. A rather unusual narrative point is when Max suggests a Wiccan spell to erase Isaac's memories. This makes Iris chant naked. Isaac gets away at the end, but he is hurt in the woods after a car wreck. Iris says she's sorry for what she did, and Isaac admits that he was also to blame for the misunderstanding, which makes for a really open talk. The movie ends with Iris feeling a mix of relief, sadness, and hope as she realizes that Isaac was never really on the same page.
Looking at themes like love, expectation, and control
Hey there! looks into modern dating, how expectations affect people, and the idea of being called "crazy." Director Sophie Brooks wanted to make a dark movie that was yet true to the dangers of modern romance. The movie goes against the idea that women who seek love are desperate and men who want love are romantic. It plays up the "crazy woman" stereotype on purpose by displaying Iris's extreme actions and Isaac's manipulating behavior.
The movie also looks at how communication may break down in relationships. The main problem is that Isaac can't clearly say what he wants and Iris misunderstands how much he cares about her. The movie shows that both characters have flaws by putting them in a very bad circumstance so that neither one is very sympathetic.
Praise from critics and buzz from fans
Oh, Hi! had mostly good reviews, with a Metascore of 62 based on 26 reviews from critics. Critics have appreciated how sharp and humorous it is about dating in the modern world. People have praised the movie for its daring premise, smart character development, and outstanding cast of actors. There has been a lot of talk on social media about Molly Gordon's performance and the movie's unusual take on the romantic comedy genre.
Molly Gordon is amazing in "Oh, Hi!" She gives a performance that is both emotional and crazy. A fantastic moment for the starring lady! #MollyGordon #OhHiMovie
"Oh, Hi!" is a great twist on the "crazy woman" cliche. It gives a new, funny, and thought-provoking look at dating in the modern world. Don't miss it! #RomCom #SophieBrooks
There is no denying the chemistry between Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman in "Oh, Hi!" Their unusual love tale is interesting from start to finish. #OhHiFilm #LoganLerman
"Oh, Hi!" is the next rom-com you need to see if you want something different. Molly Gordon's acting changes everything! #MovieReview #DarkComedy
With humor and a sinister touch, "Oh, Hi!" looks at the difficulties of modern relationships. In this daring new movie, Molly Gordon really stands out. #MollyGordon #OhHi
Molly Gordon: From Supporting Star to Leading Lady in "Oh, Hi!"
Molly Gordon's Path to Her First Lead Role
Molly Gordon has slowly earned a name for her engaging supporting roles in critically appreciated productions. She is recognized for her roles as Annabelle, or "Triple A," in the 2019 movie Booksmart and as Maya in the 2020 movie Shiva Baby. Gordon also co-wrote and co-directed Theater Camp (2023), in which she played Rebecca-Diane. She became well-known on TV as Claire, Carmy's love interest in the second season of The Bear.
Even though she was a great actress, Gordon didn't always get leading roles. This made her want to do more to make her own chances. Oh, Hi! is her first leading role in a movie, and she says it's both touching and crazy. Gordon and director Sophie Brooks had both been through heartbreak, which inspired the story of the movie.
Gordon's creative input in co-writing and producing
Gordon not only acts in Oh, Hi!, but he also wrote the story and was a producer. This involvement shows how much more powerful she is behind the camera and how dedicated she is to building her career. Working with Sophie Brooks on the topic helped them craft a story that seemed real to the problems that people have in relationships today.
Director Sophie Brooks' Vision for "Oh, Hi!" Behind the Scenes
The Way Sophie Brooks Directs and What She Draws From
The director and co-writer of Oh, Hi!, Sophie Brooks, gives the movie a unique flavor. She wanted to make a romantic comedy with a dark edge, taking ideas from movies like Joachim Trier's 2021 film The Worst Person in the World. Brooks does a great job of keeping the film on track even though its premise is ridiculous. The filmmakers made a creative choice to keep the cast and locales small and the conditions limited, which made the story feel bigger instead of smaller.
Brooks and her crew carefully put together the film's montages to get the spectator to see things from Iris's point of view and understand what she thought. They also tried to show the characters in a fair way, not just as "crazy women" or "jerk men."
Important Characters and Performances: Iris and Isaac and Beyond
The chemistry between Logan Lerman and Molly Gordon
Logan Lerman plays Isaac, the boyfriend who is afraid of commitment. Lerman gives Isaac enough self-awareness to make his situation funny, even if his character is mostly restrained throughout the movie. Some early reviews were scathing of the lack of chemistry in the film's early sequences, but many later reviews praise the interesting relationship between Gordon and Lerman as their characters deal with the growing problem.
Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds: The Best Parts of the Scene
As Iris's best friend Max and Max's lover Kenny, Geraldine Viswanathan and John Reynolds give great supporting performances. People have especially praised Viswanathan's deadpan delivery and ability to bring vitality to every scene. As Kenny, Reynolds brings a funny "wife-guy" vibe that makes the crazy things happen seem more real and funny. Their participation makes the movie even funnier and more complicated.
Why "Oh, Hi!" Resonates: The "Crazy Woman" Trope in Modern Dating
Oh, Hi! connects with viewers by dealing with the worries and difficulties of modern relationships. The movie's premise is somewhat extreme, yet people see it as a funny look at how hard it is to find love these days. It criticizes how society tends to see people's desires in relationships as problems, especially women's. The movie looks at the problems that can happen when people have conflicting ideas about commitment, which is a prevalent problem in modern dating.
A big part of the conversation about the movie is how it looks at the "crazy woman" cliché. The movie tries to show Iris's conduct in a sympathetic way, even if it is clearly severe. It questions how easily women are labeled in this way.
The Road Ahead: Molly Gordon's Plans for the Future
Molly Gordon's career is still on the rise, and she has a lot of great projects coming up. She will be in the 2026 live-action-animation hybrid movie Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie with Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson. Gordon is also co-writing the script for a new version of the 1987 comedy Outrageous Fortune for Searchlight Pictures. She wants to direct the movie herself.
Gordon will also direct and star in Peaked, a comedy from A24 that she co-wrote with Allie Levitan. The movie will be about two former high school queens trying to recreate their golden days at their 10-year reunion. This endeavor makes Gordon's status as a multi-hyphenate talent in Hollywood even stronger, giving her authority over her own creative path.