Rachel Sennott has this specific, twitchy energy that makes you feel like she’s about to either burst into tears or scream at a barista. It’s why people love her. If you’ve been scouring the internet trying to figure out where to watch I Used to Be Funny, you’re likely already a fan of that chaotic "Sennott-core" vibe she perfected in Shiva Baby and Bottoms. This movie, though? It’s different. It’s heavier. It’s a dramedy that actually understands how trauma messes with your sense of humor.
Finding this film isn’t as straightforward as just checking Netflix. Because it’s an independent release from Utopia, the distribution is a bit more fragmented than your typical blockbuster. Right now, the most reliable way to catch it is through Video on Demand (VOD) services like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu). You can usually rent it for about five bucks or buy it for fifteen.
The Streaming Landscape for Indie Gems
Don't expect this one to pop up on a major subscription platform like Max or Hulu just yet. Usually, movies distributed by Utopia follow a specific lifecycle. They hit theaters first—this one had a run in June 2024—then they move to digital rental platforms. Only after several months of "pay-per-view" availability do they land on a streaming service you already pay for.
If you're waiting for it to be "free" with a subscription, keep an eye on Kanopy. If you have a library card, Kanopy is a goldmine for indie films like this. It often hosts the Utopia catalog before the big players like Netflix even glance at them. It’s honestly one of the best-kept secrets in the streaming world. You sign in with your local library credentials, and you get a few "play credits" a month. It’s a great way to support the film without shelling out extra cash.
There’s also the possibility of it hitting Hulu later down the line, as many indie dramedies find a home there for their "second window" of distribution. But for now? Digital rental is your best bet.
Why Everyone is Talking About Sam Cowell
The story follows Sam, a stand-up comedian struggling with PTSD while deciding whether to join the search for a missing teenage girl she used to nanny. It sounds bleak. It kind of is. But Ally Pankiw—who directed some of the best episodes of The Great and Black Mirror—manages to keep it grounded.
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Sam isn't a "perfect" victim. She’s messy. She’s funny in a way that feels like a defense mechanism. The movie jumps between "Then" and "Now," showing us the vibrant, joke-cracking Sam and the Sam who can barely get off the couch. It’s a tough watch but a necessary one for anyone who appreciates storytelling that doesn't wrap things up in a neat little bow.
People keep asking where to watch I Used to Be Funny because the word-of-mouth has been insane. It’s one of those films that people see at a festival and then spend months telling their friends they "have to see it."
The Cast You Might Recognize
- Rachel Sennott: The heart and soul of the movie. She’s in almost every frame.
- Olga Petsa: Plays Brooke, the girl Sam used to nanny. Her performance is incredibly raw for a young actor.
- Jason Jones: You might know him from The Detour. He plays Brooke's father, and he brings a complicated, somewhat tragic layer to the family dynamic.
- Ennis Esmer: A staple of the Toronto acting scene, providing some of the much-needed levity in the comedy club scenes.
The Reality of Independent Film Distribution in 2024 and 2025
Let's talk about why you can't find this movie on every platform. The film industry is weird right now. Mid-budget movies—the kind that aren't Marvel movies but aren't tiny $50,000 student projects—are in a "dead zone." Studios are scared to put them in theaters for long.
I Used to Be Funny premiered at SXSW in 2023. It took over a year to actually reach general audiences. That’s a long time! But it’s common for movies that deal with sensitive topics like sexual assault and recovery. Distributors want to make sure they find the "right" audience.
If you are outside the US or Canada, your options might be even more limited. In the UK or Australia, you might have to check local platforms like Curzon Home Cinema or BFI Player. International rights are often sold territory by territory, which is why your friend in London might see it on a different app than you do in Chicago.
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Is It Worth the Rental Fee?
Honestly? Yeah. If you’ve ever felt like your life was divided into "before" and "after" a specific event, this movie will hit you like a freight train. It’s not a "fun" Friday night watch in the traditional sense. You’re not going to come away from it feeling light and airy.
But it’s human.
The stand-up sets in the movie feel real. Usually, "movie stand-up" is painful to watch because it’s clearly written by people who have never been in a comedy cellar at 1:00 AM. Here, the jokes feel like they belong to the character. They feel like the kind of humor you develop when you’ve seen some stuff.
Technical Details to Keep in Mind
If you’re a stickler for quality, try to buy it on Apple TV. Their bitrates are generally higher than Amazon’s, meaning you get a crisper image and better sound. Since this movie relies heavily on Sam’s facial expressions and subtle sound design during her panic attacks, that extra bit of clarity actually matters.
- Check Apple TV or Amazon first for the $5.99 rental.
- Search your local library's Kanopy portal if you want to watch for free.
- Avoid "free" pirate sites—they’re usually riddled with malware and the audio sync is always off. Plus, indie directors like Pankiw need those rental numbers to get their next project funded.
Navigating the Themes: It’s Not Just a Comedy
The title is a bit of a trick. It makes you think you're getting a movie about a comedian's career. Instead, it’s about the loss of identity. When Sam says she "used to be funny," she’s talking about the part of herself that died.
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The film deals with The Search for Brooke, which acts as a ticking clock for the plot. But the real "search" is Sam trying to find her voice again. It’s a delicate balance. The movie doesn't exploit its tragedy. It sits with it.
If you’re triggered by discussions of assault, just a heads-up: it’s the central pillar of the plot. It’s handled with a lot of grace, but it’s present. It’s the reason Sam’s life has stalled.
Actionable Next Steps for Viewers
If you're ready to watch, don't just mindlessly scroll through Netflix. Go directly to the search bar on YouTube Movies or Google TV. They usually have the most updated pricing for independent titles.
Once you've finished the film, I highly recommend checking out some of Rachel Sennott's interviews about the role. She’s talked extensively about how she prepared for the more dramatic sequences, and it adds a whole new layer of appreciation for her performance.
If you loved the vibe, look up Ally Pankiw's other work. She has a very specific "female gaze" that feels modern and unsentimental. You can find her work on various streaming platforms, often listed under "Director" credits on IMDb.
Pro tip: If you're using a VPN to find it on international streaming services, make sure your payment method matches the region. Most platforms have cracked down on this lately, so the "renting on US Amazon" method is usually the path of least resistance.
Go watch it. Support indie film. And maybe have some tissues nearby. You’re gonna need ‘em.