The Napa Boys Review: Unhinged Satire Squeezes Every Bit of Hilarious Juice It Can

by

They’re back! The original Napa Boys! If you haven’t seen Alexander Payne’s 2004 film Sideways, you might not know who they are, but that’s okay. This new work is a strange and very specific comedy, kind of like a parody film (Scary Movie) but aimed at indie dramas from the mid-2000s. The creators, Nick Corirossi and Armen Weitzman, are incredibly bold, using tons of pop culture references to poke fun at… even American Pie direct-to-video sequels?

Honestly, it’s better not to overthink The Napa Boys. It’s best experienced like a carefree drive through wine country – you can generally follow the story, but it’s more enjoyable to just go with the flow. When the film is good, it’s really good. Presented as the fourth installment in a made-up series clearly inspired by Alexander Payne’s work (The Napa Boys 4: The Sommelier’s Medallion), it pushes its self-awareness so far that it intentionally becomes chaotic. It’s similar to the famous “my wife” bit from Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat. That joke went from being hilarious, to annoying because everyone started copying it, and then funny again—but in an ironic way.

The Napa Boys is Exorbitantly Ironic and Absolutely Ridiculous

Corirossi and Weitzman portray the sons of Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti’s characters, or at least, they’re clearly inspired by them, offering comedic takes on the originals. Weitzman mimics Giamatti with a similar beard, though with a messy haircut, while Corirossi wears sunglasses constantly and brags about infidelity. These characters feel intentionally exaggerated and simple, almost as if the actors are playfully acknowledging their own limitations in recreating the original performances.

Miles Jr. creates a comic book series called The Napa Boys, which follows the wild exploits of a group of wine-loving adventurers. He’s secretive about whether the stories are true, but a dedicated fan named Puck—who hosts a podcast and is trying to become a journalist—is convinced they are. At a comic book convention, Jack Jr. unexpectedly appears and asks Miles to join him on one final quest: to locate a legendary wine expert and the mysterious green pendant he now possesses.

While driving back to Napa, Miles Jr. and Jack Jr. give a ride to someone known only as “Stifler’s Brother” – a reference to the character from the American Pie movies. Despite the name, he doesn’t resemble actor Seann William Scott, which Miles Jr. points out, initially confused by the man’s briefcase. It turns out he always travels with luggage.

This grown-up take on The Goonies also features Kevin (Nelson Franklin) and Mitch (Mike Mitchell), who own a winery facing closure. They need to win the prestigious Great Grape Festival to save it, but the judge, Wilbur Winejudge (David Wain), isn’t easily impressed. Their biggest challenge? A consistently winning, wealthy, and unpleasant competitor named Squirm (Paul Rust), known for his offensive views and overly critical palate, who has dominated the festival for years.

The whole thing might seem silly, and that’s intentional. Trying to explain the plot doesn’t really matter, because the story is mostly an excuse for the characters, brilliantly played by the cast, to go off on unexpected tangents. There’s a particularly shocking joke early on that perfectly sets the tone: the filmmakers deliberately use lowbrow humor, then playfully examine, critique, and ultimately dismantle it. They’re poking fun at everything from the pretentiousness of film festivals to the stale tropes of traditional comedy.

While not everything in The Napa Boys quite lands, and some parts require real patience, the film isn’t satisfied with simply telling a joke. The filmmakers also analyze why the joke is funny, which can leave you feeling awkward for even laughing. This ironic approach goes overboard, especially in a scene with Jay and Silent Bob, leaving you wondering if anyone involved understands the humor – or if there is any humor at all.

A fifth Napa Boys movie is unlikely, but it’s fun to imagine what the creators, Corirossi and Weitzman, would do with it – though maybe it’s best not to risk finding out! Still, the original Napa Boys has been a huge hit, and Hollywood is known for continuing successful franchises as long as they’re profitable. This one has certainly delivered plenty of laughs.

The Napa Boys releases theatrically on February 27th, 2026.

Read More

2026-02-26 20:08