Never Goin' Back (2018)

Never Goin’ Back is special because it treats a raunchy, sunburnt comedy like a real coming-of-age story, where the biggest punchlines and the biggest feelings can share the same breath. Maia Mitchell and Camila Morrone have the kind of lived-in chemistry that makes every bad idea feel weirdly endearing, turning their blissfully stoned hustle into a breezy ride that’s hilarious one minute and unexpectedly tender the next. The vibe is scrappy, freewheeling, and a little grimy in the most honest way—like a summer memory you can’t believe you survived, but you’re glad you did. If you’re allergic to crude humor or characters who make spectacularly questionable choices, it may not be your trip, but if you want a comedy that actually cherishes female friendship while it’s making you laugh, this one lands.

Never Goin’ Back wants to be a scrappy, stoner-buddy comedy about two broke best friends spiraling into bigger and dumber schemes to fund a beach escape, and you can feel the film rooting for their chaotic bond. The problem is it often plays like a collection of loosely connected bits rather than a story with momentum, leaning on clichés and jokes that can feel dated or needlessly tasteless instead of genuinely sharp. If you’re not into “blissfully stoned” energy, secondhand-embarrassment decisions, and a plot that drifts more than it drives, this will likely test your patience. That said, the two leads have enough charm and commitment to make a few moments land, especially if you enjoy low-rent misadventures and don’t need your comedy to be particularly fresh.