Every now and then, the movie industry produces a release that has audiences captivated and drawn in at the first trailer drop, and this is particularly true if the release features an ensemble cast of comedy legends. And this is exactly how we’d describe the recently released Riff Raff: it’s a standout cinematic release that successfully married family chaos with a gritty underworld vibe and plenty of dark humor.
For those who haven’t seen the movie on its opening night, Riff Raff follows Vincent, a hardened former criminal portrayed by the legendary Ed Harris, who now seeks solace and stability in the quiet life he shares with his wife, Sandy — portrayed by the talented and gorgeous Gabrielle Union — and their son, DJ (Miles J. Harvey). However, as it usually goes with these types of movies, their seemingly peaceful existence is shattered when Vincent’s past catches up with him.
Now, most people would think that Vincent somehow gets dragged back into the criminal underworld or begins resorting to certain “discussion methods” to resolve persistent issues in his new life. But that’s actually not the case; the past we’re referring to manifests itself in the form of Vincent’s unpredictable ex-wife, Ruth (comedy legend Jennifer Coolidge), their troubled son, Rocco (Lewis Pullman), and his pregnant girlfriend, Marina (Emanuela Postacchini).
Their arrival is more than just an unpleasant family reunion that disturbs the peace Vincent fought so hard to achieve, as they’re also the bringers of bad news: the famed gangster Leftie (Bill Murray) and his unpredictable henchman Lonnie (Pete Davidson), are coming for them because Rocco killed Leftie’s son. Riff Raff is actually a masterclass in juxtaposition, as it contrasts the pursuit of peace in a domestic, familial setting with the chaotic remnants of one’s troubled past—and this juxtaposition creates fertile ground for both the humor and drama in Riff Raff.
However, at the heart of the entire movie is the personal dynamics between Union’s Sandy and Coolidge’s Ruth, as well as Murray’s Lefty and Davidson’s Lonnie. Union’s Sandy is the embodiment of calmness and resilience, and she acts as a stabilizing force in Vincent’s life. Ruth, on the other hand, is a mix of unpredictable energy and acerbic wit, and her arrival brings in the chaos necessary to make the entire story not just more authentic but also hilarious.
However, the dynamics between Lefty and Lonnie are even more hilarious. Leftie is a suave yet menacing mob boss going through an existential crisis. At the same time, he’s on a path of vengeance and reveals secrets from Vincent’s past, which later plays well into the film’s tension-packed climax. Davidson’s Lonnie adds another layer of unpredictability to an entire mix, whose offbeat humor and spontaneous actions ensure that the narrative never slips into monotony.
Union herself praised the performances of Murray and Davidson in an interview with BGN, stating, “A lot of it was what’s on the page, but it’s how they said it, and how they performed it that made it like, oh snap.” Their delivery and chemistry on-screen turn even the simplest lines into standout comedic moments, enhancing the film’s dark humor and underlying absurdity.
At its core, Riff Raff is a dark comedy whose thematic depth lies not only within its comedic elements, which are amplified by Murray and Davidson’s performances, but also an exploration of familial bonds and the lasting and often inescapable impact of one’s past, along with the pain, absurdity, and the sheer unpredictability of life. It entertains the idea that most people often deal with riff-raff and the unexpected and out-of-place elements that make our existence tragic and comical at the same time.
With that said, Riff Raff isn’t without its faults, as some of its elements do feel a bit off, but it’s entirely possible that the film’s director, Dito Montiel, intended it that way. For example, Harvey‘s character DJ is a well-spoken young man with way too much emotional security, which somewhat clashes with the dark humor of the movie. Admittedly, the inclusion of DJ was necessary to show Vincent’s new life, but the character really feels disconnected from the rest of the roster.
Additionally, the pacing is considerably slower compared to most modern movies, with long bits of dialogue and limited locations, with events just happening without context being clearly communicated to the audiences. Sure, this might reinforce the idea that life just happens, and we the audience are just observers in someone else’s story. Nothing really impactful happens, and even deaths are downplayed, as people just die in this movie without much pomp and circumstance: they die, and life goes on.
In the end, Riff Raff is much more than just a movie about family issues and dealing with a criminal past; it’s an incredibly entertaining celebration of the messy and unpredictable nature of life. With its dark humor and stellar performance by Union, Coolidge, Harris, Murray, and Davidson, Riff Raff is on a bath of both critical and commercial success, as it offers a compelling reminder that sometimes the chaos of the past is what makes the present so interesting.
Check out BGN’s interview with Gabrielle Union and Jennifer Coolidge below:
Riff Raff is currently playing in theaters