A friend coming group together is a tried and true concept when it comes to situational comedy, and whilst writer/director Deena Kashper isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel with her ensemble laugher Nuked, she gives enough of her reflective humour and narrative hook a distinct personality that we’re happy to go along for the ride; which, for her unfortunate collective, may be their last.
Taking inspiration from the mentality most people adhered to during the height of the COVID pandemic, as well as weaving in the real-life 2018 incident surrounding a false missile alert out of Hawaii where, for almost 40 minutes, citizens were under the notion that an incoming ballistic missile was heading towards them, Nuked centres around married couple Jack and Gill (Justin Bartha and Anna Camp), a 20-years-together-strong duo who are celebrating their joint 40th birthday at their secluded mansion estate with a group of their closest friends.
Before the friends arrive, we are clued in on the current dynamic between Jack and Gill. He seems to be in the throes of trying to regain her attention as he sets fatherhood as the most important next step in their union. Gill, meticulous and making sure everything runs to a particular schedule, is basking in newfound viral success as the host of a sex-themed podcast. It’s clear they love each other, but they’re drifting apart, and Jack is hoping that the night will bring about a sense of clarity regarding their relationship and if their future goals are as aligned as Gill says they are.
As the friends arrive – Lucy Punch‘s devoted (to a fault) mother, Penelope, her bored husband, Sam (George Young), ageing rockstar Logan (Ignacio Serricchio), his former flame Mo (Tawny Newsome), and, seemingly the most functioning couple of the group, Ishaan (Maulik Pancholy) and Damian (Stephen Guarino), who are thriving in the wake of the former’s successful recovery from cancer – Jack’s tolerance with the social media-obsessed Gill starts to reach a boiling point, and the decision for the rest of the evening to be an “unplugged” event can’t come sooner, as he informs the group that, as dinner commences, phones will be stored away in order for the adults to be truly present with one another.
This plot device allows the main hook to hit even harder, as Penelope stresses how a new mother shouldn’t be away from her phone when she’s spending a night separated from her child for the first time, and that when the nuke of the title comes into play, the group aren’t remotely prepared as, what probably seemed like a novel idea at the time, they are treated to a cannabis-infused dinner that, understandably, upsets their behaviour and heightens their paranoia; Natasha Leggero providing amusing support as Chef Sasha (never just Sasha), who “Cooks the fuck out of some weed” for them.
At only 86 minutes, Nuked wastes little time in introducing its characters and putting them in their predicament – which comes from the fact that Penelope sneaks to get her phone and alerts the group about the impending missile – and though Kashper’s script has plenty of humour at the helm, it’s quite surprising how reflective the film is regarding relationships and how people view their life when the very real threat of it ending is presented to them.
Hard truths and relationship regrets spool out from all parties, leaving the film a little less of the outlandish stoner comedy some may expect. It could have leaned a little harder into the genuine threat of the nuclear attack and injected a sense of stake, but ultimately the thematic discussions that take place and the genuinely timeliness of what unfolds make up for any opportunities missed.
Entertaining assembled and serving as welcome commentary on a multitude of facets of life, Nuked may not always utilise its premise to its fullest, but watching the cast barb with one another provides more than enough comedic escape.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Nuked is available On Demand and on Digital in the United States from July 11th, 2025.
