Ingrid Goes West (2017)

Ingrid Goes West is one of those rare comedies that makes you laugh and wince in the same breath, a razor-sharp satire that captures how social media can turn envy into a full-time occupation. Aubrey Plaza gives a fearless, fascinating performance, letting you see the aching loneliness and manic determination beneath Ingrid’s carefully curated smiles, while the film’s sunny L.A. sheen keeps the mood deceptively breezy even as the humor goes deliciously dark. It’s timely without feeling preachy, smart without being smug, and it lands its commentary through character and discomfort rather than speeches. If you prefer your comedy warm and cuddly, this might feel too prickly, but if you like your laughs laced with insight, it’s a bracingly relevant watch.

Ingrid Goes West is aiming for a sharp, modern satire about social-media envy and the desperate loneliness that can hide behind curated perfection, and it commits to that discomfort rather than softening it. The problem is that the story can feel a bit on-the-nose and predictable once you see where Ingrid’s obsession is headed, and the tone is intentionally harsh enough that “comedy” may feel like the wrong label for some viewers. If you need characters you can root for or laughs that relieve the tension, this can come off bleak and frankly unpleasant, especially as it builds toward an ending some find undercooked or misjudged. Still, if you’re up for an awkward, cringe-heavy character study with a few nasty-funny observations and strong performances, it does land its point even when it’s not exactly enjoyable.