Sacramento

I left the theaters about 15-20 minutes ago

I went to see this film because I've found Michael Cera funny in some movies, and the preview suggested a fun buddy-buddy road-trip comedy. As a road trip aficiano myself, I was drawn to the idea of an impromptu road trip to some random city. I could kinda relate

The movie isn't for everyone. At my screening, there were just two people (myself included). By the end, I was alone after the other gentleman walked out before the finish

The movie is a thoughtful adult drama with a little comedy sprinkled. The film is a little dialogue heavy at times. The third act surpasses the first and second acts by a lot. The comedy delivers a few times (usually through Michael Cera's character). Yet overall, the jokes are the sort that will make you mildly chuckle or smile rather than burst out laughing. It's not the funniest movie

Michael Angarano's character is cool at times, but Michael Cera and Maya Erskine's characters get a little annoying from rudeness or awkwardness. When Michael Angarano's character wants to hang out and have fun, Michael Cera's character keep shutting it down to the point where he got irritating. Kristen Stewart is ok, but she doesn't get much screen-time. I was surprised to see former wrestler AJ Lee too

The movie's crux rests upon the fact that Michael Cera and Michael Angarano's characters were best friends who drifted apart. The movie could've given us more about their friendship. Exactly how close were they in the past? What drew them close in the first place? How and why did they drift apart? There were some details offered, such as the dialogue about the car, but it's not enough. I'm not saying that we needed flashbacks, but the film needed some way to flesh out their relationship

But in spite of the above, the movie isn't all bad. The message of the movie, as I take it, centers on the importance of friendships. Both of the leads, played by Michael Cera and Michael Arangano, are anxious and stressed about events in their lives, and the movie essentially shows how their friendship enables them to get through it. It's a sweet message, delivered effectively

The movie kinda reminded me of 2009's "One Week" (starring Joshua Jackson), with some "American Beauty" mixed in

6.5/10.

I'll admit, this movie's opening sequence was a bit too quirky for me (if you've seen Pen15 with Maya Erskine, it basically had that vibe and I will admit, an entire movie of that was not what I wanted). I felt justified in feeling this way after the first few minutes as well, as we see Michael Cera's Glenn struggle with anxiety and his wife Rosie (Kristen Stewart - who looks stunning this movie; that's all I can say) express anguish about taking care of his neurosis whilst also being pregnant.

And then, I think the film settles down, finds its groove and comes together. It's not quirky for the sake of it, there's a purpose. It's a film that really nails Milennial angst about growing up and "adulting", feel unprepared and not knowing how to express that in a world that is constantly rolling its eyes as you. It's also a movie about male friendship and vulnerability and a surprisingly nuanced one at that.

It's also just a lot of fun. Michael Angarano's Rickey is great and really captures the raw, childlike magnetism that you could see some people either really enjoying or being very annoyed by. He and Michael Cera have fantastic chemistry and honestly, this might be the single best Cera performance I've seen.

There's a point in this movie and I don't know if its the makeup or what, but you can really see him mentally breaking down at certain points and its just all over his face. Cera honestly puts forth a powerhouse performance that touches upon his very particular and peculiar strengths, but also expands the scope of his performance. The final scene with Maya Erskine's Tallie (who, as expected delivers a really strong comedic and tragic performance), Rickey, and Glenn is just cringe comic gold.

On top of all of that, Sacramento is a love letter to a city that's often overlooked and derided. It's not the sort of place that's "life changing trip" material, but maybe that's the point. Like the film that bears its name, Sacramento is way better than you'd think and is worth diving into.

Sacramento, directed by and starring Michael Angarano, is a road trip comedy that trades slapstick for something more grounded, introspective, and quietly affecting. The film follows two longtime friends, Rickey (Angarano) and Glenn (Michael Cera), as they embark on an impromptu journey from Los Angeles to California's capital. It's a story about navigating the messy anxieties of adulthood-parenthood, grief, and fading friendships-wrapped in a package that's equal parts humorous and heartfelt.

The film's strength lies in its cast. Angarano, pulling triple duty as writer, director, and lead, brings a restless, charismatic energy to Rickey, a man clinging to a free-spirited persona that's starting to fray at the edges. Cera, as Glenn, delivers a performance that feels like a natural evolution of his signature awkward charm, now layered with the weight of impending fatherhood and a need for control. Their chemistry is the film's heartbeat, capturing the push-and-pull of a friendship that's both deeply familiar and increasingly strained. Kristen Stewart, as Glenn's pregnant wife Rosie, and Maya Erskine, as a figure from Rickey's past, add emotional depth in supporting roles, though their limited screen time leaves you wanting more of their nuanced performances.

Angarano's direction keeps things moving at a brisk 84 minutes, with dialogue that's sharp and often bitingly funny, especially when the two leads bicker like an old married couple. The film's visual style is straightforward, leaning on California's sun-drenched highways and Sacramento's understated charm-think Old Town and the Tower Bridge-for atmosphere. While the pacing stumbles in the final act, rushing to tie up loose ends, it doesn't detract from the film's core: a thoughtful exploration of how men grapple with vulnerability and change.

Sacramento isn't breaking new ground in the buddy comedy genre, and it occasionally leans too heavily on familiar tropes. Comparisons to films like Sideways or last year's A Real Pain are inevitable, but it carves out its own space with a sincerity that feels earned. It's not a laugh-out-loud riot but a movie that elicits knowing smiles and the occasional lump in the throat. For anyone who's ever felt stuck between who they were and who they're supposed to become, it's a relatable ride.

Assessment: Sacramento is a charming, if slightly uneven, indie comedy that shines thanks to its strong performances and authentic take on friendship and growing up. It's a solid choice for fans of character-driven stories who don't mind a few narrative bumps along the road.

Rating: 7/10.

Actor and director Michael Angarano offers us an indie journey through friendship and parenthood plagued by anxiety that makes this fun film one of the best pastimes of 2025. A road movie on a simple scale, but rewarding in its message.

An exploration of friendship.

This is a simple and human film that aims to be nothing more than a journey through the observation of modern man and his fears within his life and relationships, with all the complexity that this entails. It's a rich look at the anxiety of becoming a parent and how to cope with it all, captured in a delicious blend of dark humor and well-thought-out humor that delivers a true indie adventure with a star-studded cast. Michael Angarano and Michael Cera are a formidable on-screen duo, reflecting a strange friendship that feels as real as it is enriching. Meanwhile, wonderful supporting actors like Kristen Stewart and Maya Erskine provide powerful moments within this captivating story.

An intelligent management style.

In his second feature film as a director, Michael Angarano's direction is so carefully curated that it feels so innocent and unobtrusive, practically allowing us to be a traveling companion of this duo of friends. The director's great virtue is highlighting the strong connection that exists behind his cast, where directing his current partner, Maya, and his ex, Kristen, allows the director to feel truly confident in bringing the naturalness of splendidly interpreted characters. Both actresses elevate a film in which the men bear the burden of carrying the problems, but the women provide the necessary maturity to impeccably portray the challenges. An effective and enjoyable direction.

Conclusion.

A truly enjoyable film, well-made and with a deep love that gives us a great time in this anxiety-filled drama with laughter that soothes the soul and a simple and successful direction to enjoy one of the pleasant surprises of this 2025 and to which it deserves our time and enjoyment.

Sacramento (2025) is a very simple buddy comedy movie about two guys going on a road trip in California and it was really fun.

Positives for Sacramento (2025): I'm one of those people who does enjoy his fair share of road trip movie like Planes, Train and Automobiles (1987). The acting is good from Michael Angarano, Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart and Maya Erskine. The comedic chemistry between Angarano and Cera is very good. I also have to give credit to Angarano for his work in the director's chair. There is a lot of humor that worked for me. And finally, this is one of those movies where you can enjoy with a group of friends.

Negatives for Sacramento (2025): The humor isn't going to land for everyone. There are a couple of moments where the character got on my nerves with their insane shenanigans.

Overall, Sacramento (2025) is a nice buddy comedy movie that you will have fun with if you are watching with the right people.