“The Spy Who Dumped Me”: A Comedy of Errors
Audrey’s (Mila Kunis) birthday eve takes a nosedive when her boyfriend, Drew (Justin Theroux), dumps her via text. Fueled by rage, Audrey plans to incinerate his belongings, a task enthusiastically assisted by her eccentric best friend, Morgan (Kate McKinnon). As the flames rise, Drew contacts Audrey, promising explanations. However, CIA agents beat him to it, revealing Drew’s secret life as a spy. Drew reappears, explaining he’s on a mission and a flash drive sought by dangerous individuals is hidden among his things. Should anything happen to him, the fate of the world rests in Audrey’s hands… and those of her unpredictable friend.
“The Spy Who Dumped Me” is a problematic film. It’s hard to pinpoint the biggest flaw, as everything from the awkward dialogue to the clumsy direction falls flat. The film struggles to define its genre, teetering between “spy thriller” and “comedy” without finding its footing. You can almost feel the strain as director Susanna Fogel and David Iserson wrote the script, desperately squeezing out ideas for the next plot twist and another failed joke. While some issues might stem from poor dubbing, the overall tone suggests the film was fundamentally flawed from the start. Ill-placed jokes about Ukraine and Snowden might appeal to fans of late-night talk shows, but they only worsen an already dire situation.
Heavy-Handed Feminism
Instead of developing the main characters with care, Fogel relies on Kate McKinnon to deliver lengthy monologues where Morgan praises Audrey, emphasizing how she handles situations “better than any man.” Why, Susanna Fogel, why? If you’re making a film about unwavering female friendship with dynamic, charismatic leads, their actions should speak for themselves, not require McKinnon to do your job. While Hollywood’s focus on combating stereotypes and gender inequality is commendable, “The Spy Who Dumped Me” addresses these issues so bluntly that it becomes cringeworthy.
A Waste of Time?
By the film’s midpoint, as you glance at the runtime and wince at jokes about Harvard and poop, you might question your existence. But then, about 20 minutes before the end, enlightenment strikes: life is short, and you shouldn’t waste it on procrastination, negativity, or Susanna Fogel films. Boom: by the final credits, you’re a changed person.
Wasted Potential
Kate McKinnon, unfortunately, plays the same quirky character in every film. The once-promising SNL comedian, who was a charismatic center of the “Ghostbusters” reboot, seems unwilling to change her persona, which will eventually tire audiences. Mila Kunis, since 2011, seems to only choose projects that people won’t consciously rewatch. We should have worried after “Jupiter Ascending,” but it seems too late. What Jillian Anderson is doing in this film is anyone’s guess; she simply appears occasionally and raises an eyebrow sternly. But that’s nothing compared to Sam Heughan, who is used as set dressing, and Justin Theroux, who is barely in the film. Fogel clearly doesn’t know how to use her resources, let alone work effectively with actors. The only people who seemed to know what they were doing on set were the stunt performers.
In short, “The Spy Who Dumped Me” is one of those generic comedies that vanish into the dark abyss of online streaming services after its theatrical run. In a few weeks, viewers will struggle to remember its existence, and those unfortunate enough to see it in theaters will try to erase it from their memories.