It was supposed to be a romantic comedy, but then it wasn't. When Somebody I Used to Know 2023 dropped on Amazon Prime Video, people expected the usual tropes—the girl goes home, finds the one who got away, and they live happily ever after. Instead, Dave Franco and Alison Brie gave us something much weirder. It’s a movie about a workaholic named Ally who hits a wall in her career and retreats to her hometown of Leavenworth, Washington. She runs into Sean, played by Jay Ellis, and things get messy. Really messy.
Honestly, the film feels less like a Nora Ephron tribute and more like a study on what happens when you realize your "golden years" were actually just a different kind of trap. It didn't just play with the genre; it kind of dismantled it.
The Reality of the Somebody I Used to Know 2023 Ending
The biggest thing people still argue about is that ending. Most rom-coms reward the protagonist for their growth with a wedding or a kiss in the rain. Franco didn't do that. Ally, the lead character, doesn't end up with Sean. She doesn't even "win" in the traditional sense.
Why? Because the movie argues that reclaiming your identity is more important than reclaiming a boyfriend from ten years ago.
A lot of viewers found it frustrating. They wanted the comfort of a predictable arc. But if you look at the writing—which Brie and Franco did together during the pandemic—the intention was always to subvert the "manic pixie dream girl" returning to her roots. Ally's obsession with Sean’s new fiancée, Cassidy (Kiersey Clemons), is where the movie gets its teeth. It’s not just jealousy. It’s a mirror. Ally sees her younger, more authentic self in Cassidy, a punk-rock singer who refuses to compromise.
Why Leavenworth Was the Perfect Setting
If you’ve never been to Leavenworth, it’s a real place. It’s a Bavarian-themed village in the Cascade Mountains. It looks like a movie set even when cameras aren't rolling. Using this backdrop for Somebody I Used to Know 2023 was a stroke of genius. It represents the "fake" or "costumed" version of reality that Ally is living. She’s a producer for a reality show called Man-Cave, which is as vapid as it sounds.
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The contrast between the kitschy, touristy streets of Leavenworth and Ally's internal breakdown creates this constant sense of unease. You're waiting for the bubble to burst. And when Ally finally decides to stop trying to sabotoge Sean's wedding and actually looks at her own life, the Bavarian backdrop starts to feel claustrophobic rather than charming.
Dealing With the "Cringe" Factor
Let’s talk about the talent show scene. You know the one.
Ally gets on stage and performs a nudist-colony-inspired song-and-dance routine. It is deeply uncomfortable to watch. Critics were split on this. Some called it a brave portrayal of a woman losing her mind, while others found it too "cringe" to endure. But that’s the point of Somebody I Used to Know 2023. It’s supposed to hurt a little bit.
Ally is a character who has spent years editing other people’s lives for TV. When she tries to live her own life "unfiltered," she has no idea how to do it without being performative or destructive. It's a nuance that many standard Netflix rom-coms miss.
- The film captures that specific mid-30s panic.
- It highlights the toxicity of nostalgia.
- It forces the audience to side with the "other woman" (Cassidy) rather than the lead.
- Danny Pudi provides much-needed grounded humor as the mutual friend, Benny.
Benny is actually the MVP here. He’s the only one who calls Ally out on her behavior in a way that feels like a real friend would. He doesn't enable her. He watches her spiral and eventually tells her she's being "a lot." We all need a Benny.
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The Evolution of the Franco-Brie Partnership
This wasn't the first time Dave Franco and Alison Brie worked together. They previously collaborated on The Rental, a horror-thriller. You can see the DNA of that tension in Somebody I Used to Know 2023. Even though this is a comedy, there’s an undercurrent of anxiety that feels very specific to Franco’s directing style.
He likes to let the camera linger on faces a second too long. It makes the audience feel like they're intruding.
Brie’s performance is the anchor. She has this ability to look like she’s holding it all together while her eyes are screaming. It’s a far cry from her Community days or even GLOW. In this 2023 release, she plays someone who isn't necessarily likable, and that's a risky move for a lead in this genre.
What Most People Miss About Cassidy
Cassidy isn't just a plot device. She’s the heart of the film's message about integrity. While Ally sold her soul for TV ratings, Cassidy is willing to blow up her relationship to stay true to her music.
The dynamic between the two women is the most interesting part of the script. It’s not a catfight. It’s a mentorship in reverse. The younger woman teaches the older woman how to be a person again. If you re-watch the film focusing on Cassidy’s choices, it becomes a much more profound experience than just a story about a girl wanting her ex back.
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Is It Still Worth a Watch?
Absolutely. But you have to go into it with the right expectations.
If you're looking for a Hallmark-style "save the family farm and marry the high school quarterback" story, you’re going to hate it. Somebody I Used to Know 2023 is for the people who have ever felt like they've become a stranger to themselves. It's for the people who realize that their hometown doesn't hold the answers, just the ghosts of who they used to be.
The cinematography by Brian Lannin is gorgeous, capturing the Pacific Northwest in a way that feels moody and damp—fitting for Ally’s emotional state. The soundtrack, featuring various indie tracks and Cassidy’s band's music, adds a layer of authenticity that elevates it above standard streaming fare.
Actionable Steps for Viewers and Creatives
If you’re a filmmaker or a fan of the genre, there are a few things to take away from the way this movie handled its release and narrative:
- Analyze the Subversion: Watch the first 30 minutes and note every "trope" you recognize. Then, see how the second half of the movie deliberately breaks them. It’s a masterclass in setting and then subverting expectations.
- Visit Leavenworth (Virtually or In-Person): If you're interested in location scouting, look at how the film uses the specific "theme park" nature of the town to symbolize the protagonist's fake life. It's a great example of setting reflecting character.
- Evaluate Your Own "Golden Era": The movie asks a tough question: Are you chasing a person, or are you chasing the version of yourself you were when you were with them?
- Support Indie-Spirit Features: Even though it’s on a major platform, the film has an independent heart. If you liked the tone, look into other Dave Franco-directed projects or Alison Brie’s writing credits like Horse Girl.
Ultimately, the movie didn't try to be everything to everyone. It told a specific, somewhat uncomfortable story about the messiness of growing up—even when you’re already an adult. It reminds us that "somebody I used to know" isn't always an ex-boyfriend. Sometimes, it’s yourself.