Name: Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Genre: Comedy
Released: February 12, 2021
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Adrian Makala, Annie Mumolo, Damon Wayans Jr., Ian Gómez, Jamie Dornan

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date (Streaming): February 12, 2021 | PG-13

Starring: Adrian Makala, Annie Mumolo, Damon Wayans Jr., Ian Gómez, Jamie Dornan, Jordan Black, Kristen Wiig, Kwame Patterson, Mark Jonathan Davis, Michael Hitchcock, Patrick Bristow, Rachel Ramras, Reyn Doi, Rose Abdoo, Tom Lenk, Vanessa Bayer, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Summary: Lifelong friends Barb and Star (Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo) embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they decide to leave their small Midwestern town for the first time … ever. [Lionsgate]

Director: Josh Greenbaum

Genre(s): Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 107 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Matt Singer

Feb 11, 2021

Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar isn’t a movie, it’s a wavelength. You either get on it or you don’t. I’m sure some viewers will complain that Barb and Star are so quirky and chipper that they’re annoying, or that the film’s comedy is too bizarre and random. Take my advice: Cut those people out of your life. You don’t need to associate yourself with anyone who is that wrong about something this important. Read full review

Kristy Puchko

Feb 19, 2021

Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is extraordinary because – like its fluffy-haired heroines – it makes no apologies for what it is. Mumolo and Wiig have created a story that is proudly deranged, setups that are savagely silly, and centered all that around two delightfully daffy caricatures of middle-aged women that feel fresh yet familiar. Read full review

Brian Shaer

Jul 14, 2021

Much like the dynamite ladies that Mumolo and Wiig wrote and refreshingly bring to life, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar is shimmery, vibrant, and as welcoming as a great big hug. Read full review

David Rooney

Feb 11, 2021

An unapologetically delirious frolic in which lifelong friendship is tested by romance, adventure and the mass-extermination plan of an archvillain, this disarming escape to turquoise waters and a seafood buffet will be just what many folks need right now. Read full review

Simran Hans

Feb 14, 2021

The sci-fi stuff is tedious, but Wiig and Mumolo are bawdy and brilliant as ever, their effortless chemistry bolstered by years of collaboration. Read full review

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Feb 11, 2021

It’s a breeze of a watch and with the bar for studio comedy being so very low right now, it’s at least mildly inventive and likably goofy, enough to warrant a cautious recommendation (premium rental price: no, next time you’re on a plane: sure). Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Feb 25, 2021

The goal here was to be absurdist, relentless and light. Well, Barb & Star is light — so light it floats off and vaporizes. Read full review

SEE ALL 31 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Mazaolo

Feb 13, 2021

Literally insane but I haven’t felt so happy in almost 12 months. If you enjoy feeling happy you’ll love this movie!

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

jjuliano

Feb 12, 2021

This is the kind of movie we needed. Silly, charming, well-filmed, entertaining, and pure escapism.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

flattenedspace

Apr 22, 2021

Perfect pandemic viewing if you're looking for mindless silliness. Somewhat subversive if you consider that the main good guys and baddies (and most everyone in between) are middle-aged ladies. That one of them gets the hot guy is even better.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

EugeneFraga

Aug 8, 2022

Kristen Wiig undoubtedly Hollywoods best female clown since Lucille Ball. A frenzied comedy for discriminating viewers.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marcmyworks

Apr 6, 2021

A strange and trippy comedy that seems to be all over the map in terms of what kind of film it wants to be. Overall not bad acting, but not overly funny either.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

lawjef

Feb 15, 2021

Quirky does not equal funny. This is the kind of script you would put together with your friends when you are really, really drunk. I am starting to reluctantly realize that maybe K Wig isn't a funny screenwriter after all. Even during a pandemic with very few new entertainment options, IQuirky does not equal funny. This is the kind of script you would put together with your friends when you are really, really drunk. I am starting to reluctantly realize that maybe K Wig isn't a funny screenwriter after all. Even during a pandemic with very few new entertainment options, I could only recommend this boring, uninspired movie to ... honestly I don't know. Maybe really bored people who can relate to some of the story line? Maybe. Stupid, mindless comedies can be very entertaining. But this movie will clearly be relegated to the dust bin of history within a few short weeks. The fact that there are so many 10/10 user scores before wide distribution should be a red flag.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

HealingToolbox

Apr 24, 2021

I really wanted to like this. Some positive Metacritic reviews. Love Kristen. Was hoping it was a character-driven effort like Cheech and Chong's Next Movie. Production design and color palette are very strong. Otherwise, it's not much of anything. Looks like it was a fun time on theI really wanted to like this. Some positive Metacritic reviews. Love Kristen. Was hoping it was a character-driven effort like Cheech and Chong's Next Movie. Production design and color palette are very strong. Otherwise, it's not much of anything. Looks like it was a fun time on the set. Rest of movie has no point of view. Wacky for wacky's sake only. Acting is committed; yet, no one either learns nor evolves nor reveals anything meaningful. An empty film about empty characters with no point of view?

There used to be many more movies like this; Twins comes to mind, the later pointless Steve Martin comedies. I guess it's a huge genre: mis-guided, failed modern comedies, well-produced but with nothing to say and only affection for their superficial characters yet no insight into the characters. Other critics have speculated these movies occur when too much money is chasing too few good scripts. This supports the theory.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

More From Metacritic