The Stream: A comedy without many laughs and a tired premise.

The Big Screen: One laugh out loud sequence that comes just in time.

The Final Bill: A pretty “meh” comedy that struggles to find any good jokes.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Jessica Yu
Writers: Jen D’Angelo
Stars: Awkwafina, Sandra Oh, Holland Taylor, Will Ferrell, Jason Schwartzman
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R for some drug use and language
Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes
Production Companies: 20th Century Studios, Artists First, Gloria Sanchez Productions, NeoReel
Platform: On Hulu November 3, 2023

Hey, Streamers! The theaters were pretty bare when it came to new releases this weekend, so it was off to scrolling through the streaming services for new content. If you were looking for something to tickle your funny bone, Hulu offered a new comedy starring Awkwafina and Sandra Oh called Quiz Lady. Here’s whether any LOLs were delivered.

In Quiz Lady, we meet Anne Yum (Awkwafina), a strait-laced, loner who is obsessed with a nightly game show called “Can’t Stop the Quiz.” Anne has a free-spirited and chaotic older sister, Jenny (Sandra Oh). When Anne and Jenny’s mother goes missing, the sisters put their differences aside in order raise money to pay their mother’s debts. Anne’s quiz acumen comes in handy. Sisterly hijinks ensue.

Your mileage may vary on this one. Do you like Awkwafina in sad-sack mode? Do you like Sandra Oh going way over the top? Then, you may really enjoy Quiz Lady. Awkwafina tones down her usual ticks in this movie, but she can’t do anything about her voice. Her performance hear is nothing to write home about. Sandra Oh does comedy well, but this is too broad. Between her and Awkwafina, there are a lot of lame, try-hard jokes going on. There is one sequence that is legitimately laugh out loud funny, but the humor is otherwise either lacking or just lame. Beyond that, the story doesn’t make any sense. There are so many threads that are dropped just so these sisters are forced to be together. Either you buy into it, or you don’t.

Side note: Will Ferrell has a small part as the host of “Can’t Stop the Quiz.” He’s not doing his typical Will-Ferrell thing, but he’s a highlight.

Ultimately, Quiz Lady is a passable comedy with very few funny moments. Both Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are annoying for most of the movie, which makes it difficult to enjoy. Nevertheless, there are emotional moments and, at least, one laugh out loud sequence that leave you feeling good. You don’t have to rush to see Quiz Lady, but it would be okay to have on in the background. Just a handful of popcorn will get you through.