"Roommates" is Another Wannabe Campus Classic

Since 1999, Adam Sandler's production company, Happy Madison has turned out dozens of star-studded comedy films. Granted, they very rarely break 50% on Rotten Tomatoes but the company has been going strong for nearly three decades and shows no signs of stopping. Happy Madison is known for its trademark slapstick comedies, but the past three years has seen a new era for the company, now delving into the coming-of-age comedy. Notably 2023's You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, led by Sandler's youngest daughter, Sunny. Quickly becoming Happy Madison's most critically successful film, Sandler and company decided to keep the train going with this year's Roommates, this time led by Sandler's eldest daughter: Sadie. In the brief time since its release the movie has shot up the ranks on Netflix as well as made some headlines... but for all the wrong reasons. So is this film good enough to justify its unexpected Coachella controversy?

Roommates follows the freshman year of Devon Weisz (Sadie Sandler) as she navigates the start of college with her new best friend Celeste (Chloe East) who Devon soon learns is the ultimate roommate from hell. From stealing her crush to wearing her underwear to outing her younger brother as gay, Devon enters a petty back-and-forth with Celeste that has devastating consequences. Roommates does not feel like a typical Happy Madison film, the only thing that really ties it to the company is the inclusion of a Sandler. This feels like a run-of-the-mill Netflix original.

I feel like I am in a unique position to critique this film as a senior girl in college who also happened to have a downright hellish roommate freshman year. She may not have ruined my life like Celeste, but she called the RA on me for inane things like moving the trash can, would have her aggressively misogynistic boyfriend over until 3AM, and gossip about me to the boys I liked. So in a lot of ways I see myself in Devon, a fresh-faced girl who had a terrible time in high school who longs for nothing more than a best friend she can count on. I know what it's like to bite your tongue when things annoy or even upset you in favor of saving a relationship, but Devon soon learns that there's only so far you can go.

While I don't think Sadie Sandler exactly has an Oscar in her future, she plays Devon with an authentic relatability with decent comedic timing. Devon, as a character is the best part of this movie. Her evolution from from a shivering antisocial nerd to a strong, outspoken woman is rewarding to watch unfold. Unfortunately when it comes to Roommates, nothing else particularly stands out.

Roommates can't seem to make up its mind about how absurdist it wants to be. The story is rooted in a very common, realistic experience for young people but a lot of the humor is too fantastical to fit with the story. It's clearly trying to be a college classic but it falls in this weird middle ground between sincere coming-of-age story and well, Adam Sandler movie. Comedian Sarah Sherman's inclusion feels out-of-place and the ending feels hugely rushed. While there are some decent laughs to be had, Roommates simply doesn't have the staying power of its fellow college movie contemporaries.

That being said, Roommates and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah remain two of Happy Madison's most critically successful films, especially the latter. Perhaps the future of the studio lies in the female coming-of-age comedy. There is certainly potential, but still a long way to go.