When Grow House hit screens in 2017, it wasn't exactly aiming for the Oscars. It was aimed at a very specific, very relaxed demographic. You know the vibe.
The Grow House movie cast is a weirdly perfect mix of old-school comedy legends and newer faces that just felt right for a story about two guys trying to navigate the legalization of cannabis in California. If you haven't seen it, the plot is pretty straightforward. Pat and Darius (played by DeRay Davis and Lil Duval) are broke. They realize that growing weed is now legal—well, medically—and they decide to go all-in.
Naturally, they have no idea what they're doing.
What makes the movie stick for fans isn't necessarily the complex screenwriting. It's the chemistry. It’s the fact that the director, DJ Pooh, has some serious history in this genre. We’re talking about the guy who co-wrote Friday. When DJ Pooh calls, people show up.
DeRay Davis as Pat: The High-Energy Hustle
DeRay Davis is the engine of the movie. You’ve probably seen his stand-up or caught him in Empire or 21 Jump Street. In Grow House, he plays Pat, the guy who thinks he’s much smarter than he actually is.
His performance is basically a masterclass in "frustrated confidence."
Honestly, the way DeRay bounces off Lil Duval is the only reason the movie works. He brings this frantic energy that contrasts perfectly with the laid-back chaos surrounding them. He’s the guy trying to keep the "business" together while everything literally goes up in smoke. It’s a role that requires a lot of yelling, a lot of wide-eyed staring at dying plants, and a surprising amount of physical comedy.
Lil Duval as Darius: The Viral Comedian Takes the Lead
Then there’s Lil Duval. Before "Smile (Living My Best Life)" became a massive anthem, Duval was grinding in the comedy circuit and making a name for himself on social media. Playing Darius, he’s the "ideas man" who usually has the worst ideas possible.
Duval doesn't really have to "act" much here; he just has to be himself, which is exactly what the fans wanted.
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His timing is impeccable. He has this way of saying something incredibly stupid with such sincerity that you almost believe him for a second. In the context of the Grow House movie cast, he’s the wild card. While Pat is trying to follow a plan, Darius is the one getting them into deeper trouble with people they definitely shouldn't be talking to.
The Legends: Snoop Dogg and Faizon Love
You can't have a movie about growing weed without Snoop Dogg. It’s basically a law at this point.
Snoop appears as himself, and while it’s a cameo, it’s a pivotal one. He’s the "Grow Master." He represents the level of success Pat and Darius are desperately trying to reach. It’s meta, it’s funny, and it gives the film that seal of authenticity. If Snoop says your weed is bad, it’s bad.
Then we have Faizon Love.
If you grew up on Friday, you know him as Big Worm. In Grow House, he plays "Big" (seeing a pattern here?). Faizon is one of those actors who can dominate a scene just by sitting in a chair. He provides the looming threat that makes the stakes feel real, even when the situations are ridiculous. His back-and-forth with DeRay Davis is some of the funniest dialogue in the film because it feels so unscripted.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
A lot of people overlook the rest of the Grow House movie cast, but that’s where the texture is.
- Malcolm McDowell: Yes, that Malcolm McDowell. The guy from A Clockwork Orange. He plays Dr. Doobie. It is easily the most "out there" casting choice in the movie. Seeing a legendary British actor play a high-end cannabis consultant is jarring in the best way possible. It adds a layer of "prestige" to a movie that is otherwise very much about bong rips and bad decisions.
- Linane: The Love Interests and The Realists: Zulay Henao plays Madison. She’s often the voice of reason, which is a thankless job in a stoner comedy, but she handles it well.
- Michael Blackson: He plays "Cashier," and if you know Blackson, you know he’s going to turn a 30-second scene into something you’ll remember for the rest of the night. His accent, his insults—it’s all there.
Why the Casting Worked (And Where It Didn't)
Let's be real for a second.
Grow House isn't a perfect movie. Some critics felt it leaned too hard on tropes that were already tired by the time Pineapple Express came out. However, from a casting perspective, it was a stroke of genius to lean into the "Instagram Comedy" era. By 2017, the way people consumed comedy had shifted. Lil Duval and DeRay Davis were massive on social media, and that translated to a built-in audience.
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The movie feels like a family reunion of sorts for Black cinema and comedy. You have the veterans like Faizon and Snoop mixed with the new guard. That’s why it has such a long shelf life on streaming platforms. People aren't watching for the cinematography. They’re watching to see their favorite comedians hang out.
The Influence of DJ Pooh
You can't talk about the Grow House movie cast without talking about the man who put them there. DJ Pooh is a legend in the West Coast scene. He’s a producer, a writer, and a director who understands the rhythm of urban comedy better than almost anyone else.
Because he’s so respected, he’s able to pull in talent that wouldn't normally do a low-budget indie comedy.
He knows how to let comedians riff. A lot of the best lines in Grow House feel like they were captured during a rehearsal or just a casual conversation on set. That "lived-in" feeling is what separates a good stoner movie from a bad one. It has to feel authentic, or the audience will sniff out the "fakeness" immediately.
Behind the Scenes: Making a "Green" Movie
Interestingly, the production of the film coincided with the actual shifts in California’s laws. The cast has mentioned in various interviews that the atmosphere on set was exactly what you’d expect.
It was loose. It was loud.
But it was also professional. When you have someone like Malcolm McDowell on set, you have to bring your A-game. DeRay Davis has mentioned that working with McDowell was a highlight because of the sheer absurdity of the situation.
What People Get Wrong About the Movie
A common misconception is that Grow House is just a "weed movie." While that’s the primary hook, it’s actually more of a satire on the "Green Rush."
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When legalization started happening, everyone thought they were going to get rich quick. Pat and Darius represent that segment of the population that saw dollar signs but didn't realize that growing plants is actually hard work.
The cast does a great job of portraying that specific kind of desperation. It’s not just about getting high; it’s about trying to make something of yourself when you feel like the world is passing you by. That’s a relatable theme, even if you’ve never touched a plant in your life.
Where Are They Now?
Since the film's release, the Grow House movie cast has stayed busy.
- DeRay Davis continues to dominate the stand-up world and has a recurring role in Snowfall.
- Lil Duval became a legitimate chart-topping artist and continues to be a massive force on social media.
- Zulay Henao has appeared in several major series and films, maintaining a steady career in both TV and film.
- Snoop Dogg... well, he’s Snoop Dogg. He’s probably hosting an Olympic event or cooking with Martha Stewart as we speak.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans of the Genre
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Grow House or similar comedies, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the Credits: Seriously. There are so many cameos and small roles filled by famous West Coast figures that you might miss on the first watch.
- Check out DJ Pooh’s Other Work: If you liked the vibe of the Grow House movie cast, go back and watch The Wash (2001). It has a similar energy and features many of the same faces.
- Look for the Unscripted Moments: Pay attention to the scenes where the actors are clearly trying not to break character. Those "real" moments are the heart of the film.
- Research the Legalization Context: To really get the jokes, it helps to understand what the medical marijuana scene was like in 2017. It was a "Wild West" era that the movie parodies perfectly.
The legacy of Grow House isn't about its box office numbers. It’s about how it captured a specific moment in culture with a cast that was perfectly tuned to that frequency. It’s a movie made for the people, by the people who live that life.
If you're planning a movie night, pairing this with Friday or How High is the only way to go. It rounds out the "stoner canon" in a way that feels modern but respectful to the legends who came before. Just don't expect it to teach you how to actually grow anything—if Pat and Darius are your teachers, you're in a lot of trouble.
To truly appreciate the film, look beyond the surface-level jokes. Observe the timing between Davis and Duval. Notice how the veterans anchor the silliness. It’s a snapshot of a transition in both comedy and law, wrapped in a cloud of smoke and some of the best comedic chemistry of the late 2010s.
Next Steps for the Viewer: Start by streaming Grow House on platforms like Tubi or Amazon Prime, where it frequently appears. After watching, compare the comedic styles of the lead duo to their early stand-up specials to see how much of their stage persona they brought to these characters. Finally, explore the discography of the musical artists in the cast—specifically Snoop and Duval—to see how their "on-screen" vibes translate to their music.