Honestly, it feels like we’ve been waiting forever for a movie that doesn't rely on capes or multiverses. Enter Jocelyn Moorhouse’s latest. The cast of The Fabulous Four brings together a group of women who, frankly, have nothing left to prove but choose to give us a masterclass anyway. This isn't just a "friends going on a trip" movie. It is a collision of Academy Award winners and Broadway legends.
When you look at the names on the poster, it’s kinda staggering. Susan Sarandon. Bette Midler. Megan Mullally. Sheryl Lee Ralph. That is a heavy-hitting lineup. You’ve got the kind of talent that can turn a simple line about a TikTok trend or a lost suitcase into something that feels deeply human and, more often than not, hilarious.
The story centers on three lifelong friends who travel to Key West, Florida, to be bridesmaids in the surprise wedding of their college girlfriend. It sounds simple. It’s not. There is baggage—both literal and emotional.
The Powerhouse Leading the Cast of The Fabulous Four
At the center of the storm is Bette Midler playing Marilyn. Midler is, well, she’s Bette Midler. Whether you know her from the stage or from Hocus Pocus, you know she commands the frame. In this film, she’s the one getting married, which acts as the catalyst for the entire reunion. Her character is vibrant. She’s demanding. She’s exactly who you’d expect to summon her friends to Florida on a whim.
Then we have Susan Sarandon as Lou. Sarandon and Midler together? That’s the draw. Lou is the more reserved, perhaps more cynical member of the group. There is a specific tension between Lou and Marilyn that stretches back decades. It’s the kind of resentment that only best friends can maintain. They don't just argue; they perform a surgical strike on each other’s insecurities.
Why the Chemistry Actually Works
Most ensemble comedies fail because the actors feel like they met five minutes before the cameras rolled. Not here. You can tell these women have a shorthand.
Megan Mullally plays Alice. If you’re a Will & Grace fan, you know Mullally does "chaotic energy" better than anyone in Hollywood. Alice is the friend who probably shouldn't be left alone with a margarita machine. She brings a looseness to the cast of The Fabulous Four that balances out the heavier history between Lou and Marilyn.
Sheryl Lee Ralph rounds out the group as Kitty. Fresh off her Emmy win for Abbott Elementary, Ralph is having a massive moment in her career. She plays the grounded one. Kitty is the glue, the person trying to make sure the wedding actually happens while everyone else is busy digging up thirty-year-old grudges.
💡 You might also like: Not the Nine O'Clock News: Why the Satirical Giant Still Matters
Breaking Down the Character Dynamics
It's interesting to see how Moorhouse directs these four. You have very different acting styles clashing. Sarandon is often very internal, using her eyes to convey a world of disappointment. Midler is big. She’s theatrical. When they share a scene, it’s a tug-of-war for the audience’s attention in the best way possible.
- Marilyn (Bette Midler): The bride-to-be who wants a perfect day despite the chaos.
- Lou (Susan Sarandon): The skeptic who isn't sure she even wants to be there.
- Alice (Megan Mullally): The wild card looking for a good time and maybe a local bartender.
- Kitty (Sheryl Lee Ralph): The peacekeeper who is just trying to keep the train on the tracks.
The film also features supporting turns from actors like Bruce Greenwood and Timothy V. Murphy. But let’s be real. Nobody is buying a ticket to see the men. This is a film about the endurance of female friendship, even when those friendships are, frankly, exhausting.
Why People Are Talking About This Cast
There’s been a lot of chatter about the "Silver Fox" era of cinema. We saw it with 80 for Brady and Book Club. The cast of The Fabulous Four fits into this trend, but it feels a bit more biting. It’s less about "isn't it cute that they’re old?" and more about "these women are still complicated, messy, and sharp."
The production took place in Savannah, Georgia, and Key West. You can see the heat on screen. There’s a scene involving parasailing that has already gone viral in the trailers. It looks ridiculous. It is ridiculous. But seeing Susan Sarandon dangling from a parachute while screaming at Megan Mullally is the kind of cinematic joy we don’t get enough of lately.
The Realistic Side of the Friendship
One thing the movie gets right is that friends who have known each other for fifty years don't always like each other. They love each other, sure. But like? That’s a day-to-day negotiation. The script doesn't shy away from the fact that they’ve let each other down over the years. There are mentions of past betrayals and lost contact.
It makes the comedy land better. When Alice makes a joke, it’s often to break a tension that feels genuinely uncomfortable.
Behind the Scenes: Direction and Vision
Jocelyn Moorhouse, known for The Dressmaker, knows how to handle big personalities. You can’t just let four legends run wild without a clear vision, or the movie turns into a series of disconnected skits. Moorhouse keeps the pace fast.
📖 Related: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
The film was written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly. They clearly wrote this with these specific voices in mind. It’s hard to imagine anyone else delivering some of these lines. Could you see anyone but Mullally accidentally getting high and trying to navigate a high-society wedding? Probably not.
Critical Reception and Audience Impact
The reviews have been a bit of a mixed bag, which is typical for this genre. Critics sometimes struggle with movies that are unapologetically aimed at an older demographic. But the audience scores tell a different story. People love seeing these women on screen. There is a comfort in it. It’s like catching up with your own aunties, provided your aunties are incredibly famous and have great lighting.
What to Watch Next If You Liked This Cast
If you walked out of the theater wanting more of this energy, you’ve got options.
For more Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary is mandatory viewing. She plays Barbara Howard with a dignity that is the complete opposite of the chaos in this movie. For Bette Midler, go back and watch The First Wives Club. It’s basically the spiritual ancestor of the cast of The Fabulous Four. It covers similar ground but with a 90s New York grit.
Susan Sarandon’s filmography is endless, but if you want her in "friendship mode," Thelma & Louise is the obvious choice. It’s a bit darker than a Key West wedding, obviously, but the chemistry is the gold standard.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Lovers
If you're planning to dive into this movie or others like it, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
Check the streaming schedules. While it had a solid theatrical run, it’s the perfect movie for a home viewing party. Look for it on platforms like Hulu or Peacock depending on your region's licensing.
👉 See also: A Simple Favor Blake Lively: Why Emily Nelson Is Still the Ultimate Screen Mystery
Don't skip the credits. There are often little bloopers or "where are they now" moments in these ensemble comedies that add a bit of extra flavor to the characters' journeys.
Look into the soundtrack. The film uses a lot of nostalgic tracks that perfectly mirror the characters' college years. It’s a great playlist for a road trip of your own.
Support original comedies. In a world of sequels, a movie based on an original script about women over 60 is a rare bird. If you want more of them, you have to show the studios there is a market for it.
The cast of The Fabulous Four reminds us that growing older doesn't mean growing quieter. It usually just means you have better stories to tell and less patience for people who waste your time. Whether they are fighting on a boat or laughing over drinks, these four actors prove why they’ve stayed relevant for decades. They aren't just icons; they are working actors who still know how to command a room—or a cinema screen.
Keep an eye on future projects from this group. Ralph is staying busy with TV, and Sarandon has several indie projects in the pipeline. This film isn't a swan song; it’s a victory lap.
Check your local listings or streaming apps to see where you can catch them in action. It's worth it just to see the comedic timing of four people who have spent their lives perfecting the craft. There isn't a weak link in the bunch.