What if your business trip turned into the wildest adventure of your life? From Adele Lim, the co-screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride is a riotous and bold comedy that embarks on a wild journey of identity and self-discovery.
When Audrey’s (Ashley Park of Emily in Paris) business trip to Asia takes an unexpected turn, she calls upon her childhood best friend Lolo (Sherry Cola), whose irreverence and chaotic energy add a unique flavor to their adventure. Joining them are Kat (Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu), a college friend who has become a famous Chinese soap star, and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo’s eccentric cousin. Together, these four women navigate a series of outrageous and hilarious events that challenge their perceptions of friendship and belonging.
In a time where representation and diverse storytelling are gaining more recognition in the entertainment industry, Joy Ride offers a refreshing take on Asian characters. Written by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao (both known for their work on Family Guy), Joy Ride reframes the Asian narrative we usually see in dramas with audacious humor reminiscent of The Hangover and Bridesmaids.
On how the film coincided with her reflections on identity, Ashley Park told Vanity Fair, “What I really connected to was that I was first starting to reflect on being in an industry and in a world that was very much built by and for white people or people who didn’t look like me. I really connect to all of the negotiation that Audrey goes through to find a way to be genuinely ambitious and excited to be in this world that she really had no part in at first. And also just the fact that she really—it wasn’t that she was trying to ever deny being Asian, but she just really had never faced that part of her identity and was fine with it. I think that it really mirrored that time in my life too.”
On how Joy Ride brings much-needed Asian representation to the raunchy comedy genre, Stephanie Hsu told The Hollywood Reporter, “When I was watching all of the comedies growing up, I never understood any of the cultural references, like they felt so far for me, and I think the very special thing about this one is there’s so many cultural specifics for the community that we can laugh at ourselves, laugh at each other, but we’re not the butt of the joke.”
Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride when Joy Ride premiers in November, exclusively on Lionsgate Play.