Joy Ride (2023) is a road trip comedy with a twist. Instead of your typical bro-fest, this film follows four Asian-American women on a wild adventure through Asia. Led by the ever-uptight Audrey (Ashley Park), the group includes her childhood best friend, the sassy Lolo (Sherry Cola), bubbly soap opera star Kat (Stephanie Hsu), and the K-pop obsessed Deadeye (Sabrina Wu). Their initial mission: a business trip for Audrey that quickly derails into a hilarious quest to find one of their birth mothers.

Director Adele Lim balances the outrageous humor with surprising moments of tenderness. The film shines when exploring the characters’ identities and their struggles with cultural expectations. The all-Asian-American cast delivers strong performances, with the banter between Park and Cola being a particular highlight.

However, the humor can be uneven at times. Some jokes rely heavily on slapstick or gross-out gags, which may not land with everyone. Additionally, the plot meanders a bit, with the search for the birth mother becoming secondary to the overall focus on friendship.

Despite these shortcomings, Joy Ride is a fun and heartfelt film that celebrates female friendships and self-discovery. If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud comedy with a touch of depth, this road trip is worth taking.