If you’re looking to watch The Wrong Missy, you’re probably in the mood for something chaotic. Let’s be real. This isn't high-brow cinema. It’s a Happy Madison production, which means you know exactly what you’re getting into: slapstick, screaming, and a very specific brand of Adam Sandler-adjacent insanity. But here's the thing—it actually works.
The movie dropped on Netflix back in May 2020. Remember that? We were all stuck inside, losing our minds, and suddenly this movie about a blind date gone horribly wrong became the top-streamed thing on the planet. It’s been years since that weird summer, but people are still hitting play. Why? Because Lauren Lapkus is a force of nature.
Most people think of David Spade as the lead here. He plays Tim Morris, a buttoned-up corporate guy who thinks he’s invited his "dream girl" (played by Molly Sims) to a company retreat in Hawaii. Instead, he accidentally texts the "Wrong Missy"—a chaotic, eccentric, and borderline terrifying woman he met on a disastrous blind date once. That’s Lapkus. And she absolutely steals every single frame.
Why This Movie Hit Different in 2020 (And Still Does)
It’s easy to dismiss this as just another entry in the Netflix-Sandler deal. But the chemistry—or lack thereof—between Spade and Lapkus is actually quite brilliant. Spade is the straight man, a role he has perfected over decades. He’s the vessel for the audience's anxiety. But Lapkus? She’s doing something else entirely. Her performance is physical, exhausting, and genuinely unpredictable.
Honestly, when you watch The Wrong Missy, you aren't watching it for the plot. You know they’re going to Hawaii. You know things will go wrong. You know there will be a shark scene or some weird mishap with a cactus. What keeps you watching is the sheer audacity of the character Missy. She is a nightmare. She’s the person you pray you never sit next to on a plane, yet Lapkus finds a way to make her oddly endearing by the third act.
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The Netflix Algorithm and the Comedy Drought
Comedy is in a weird spot. Big-budget theatrical comedies have mostly moved to streaming services. If you want to watch The Wrong Missy today, you’re engaging with the new "mid-budget" reality of Hollywood. These films don't need a $100 million opening weekend to be successful; they just need to keep you scrolling through the Netflix interface for ninety minutes.
It’s interesting to note that critics generally hated it. It holds a pretty low score on Rotten Tomatoes—somewhere in the 30% range. But the audience scores? Way higher. This highlights a massive gap in how we consume entertainment. Critics want "The Banshees of Inisherin," but sometimes the human brain just wants to see a guy get hit in the face with a tropical fruit while a woman screams about her "Sheila" personality.
Behind the Scenes: The Happy Madison Factor
You can’t talk about this movie without talking about Happy Madison. Adam Sandler’s production company has a very specific "vibe." They use the same rotation of actors—Nick Swardson, Rob Schneider, Jackie Sandler. They often film in beautiful, vacation-like locations. It’s basically a paid vacation for a group of friends who happen to be funny.
- The Casting Choice: Originally, you might expect a more "traditional" rom-com lead. Choosing Lapkus was a gamble that paid off. Her background in improv (she’s a legend in the UCB world) allows her to take mediocre lines and turn them into weird, memorable moments.
- The Location: Filming took place on Oahu, Hawaii. It looks gorgeous. Even if the jokes aren't landing for you, the scenery is top-tier.
- The Soundtrack: It’s classic Sandler-adjacent stuff. A mix of 80s hits and modern pop that keeps the energy high even when the pacing dips.
Is It Actually "Good"?
Define good.
If "good" means a movie that makes you forget your bills for two hours, then yeah, it’s great. If "good" means a screenplay that explores the human condition, you’re in the wrong place. When you watch The Wrong Missy, you have to lean into the cringe. There is a specific scene involving a "hand-job" on a plane that is so uncomfortable it borders on performance art. It’s gross-out humor, sure, but it’s done with such commitment that you can't help but respect it.
David Spade is... David Spade. He’s 50-something here, playing a guy who seems eternally tired. It works for the character. Tim Morris is a guy who has played it safe his whole life, and Missy is the chaotic neutral force that breaks him open. It’s a classic trope: the uptight guy needs the wild girl to "live a little." We've seen it a thousand times, from "Bringing Up Baby" to "Along Came Polly."
Technical Specs for the Nerds
For those who care about the "how" of it all, the film was directed by Tyler Spindel. He’s a frequent collaborator within the Sandler circle. The cinematography isn't trying to win an Oscar, but it’s clean and bright. It uses a lot of wide shots to capture the physical comedy, which is a smart move. You want to see Missy’s entire body flailing around; close-ups would ruin the timing.
The film runs about 90 minutes. That is the perfect length for a comedy. Anything longer feels like a chore. Anything shorter feels like a sketch.
The Controversy of the "Wrong" Girl
Some viewers find the character of Missy problematic or just annoying. And that’s fair. She’s designed to be annoying. She’s aggressive, she doesn't understand boundaries, and she’s arguably a bit unhinged. There’s a conversation to be had about how movies portray "weird" women versus "weird" men. If a guy acted like Missy, would it be a comedy or a thriller?
But that’s overthinking it. Within the universe of The Wrong Missy, the logic holds up. It’s a heightened reality. It’s a cartoon where the characters happen to be made of flesh and bone.
How to Watch The Wrong Missy Right Now
If you're ready to dive in, here’s the deal. You need a Netflix subscription. It’s a Netflix Original, so you won’t find it on Hulu, Max, or Disney+.
- Check your internet speed: Since it’s a bright, colorful movie shot in Hawaii, you’ll want to stream it in 4K if your plan allows. The colors of the resort and the ocean really pop.
- Lower your expectations: I mean this in the best way possible. Don't go in expecting "When Harry Met Sally." Go in expecting "Billy Madison" meets "The Heartbreak Kid."
- Watch with friends: This is a social movie. It’s much funnier when you can groan and laugh with someone else at the sheer absurdity of Missy’s behavior.
The lasting legacy of this movie isn't the script. It’s the arrival of Lauren Lapkus as a legitimate comedic movie star. She proved she could carry a film on her back, even if the script was just "Spade looks confused while things explode."
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If you haven't seen it yet, or if you're looking for a rewatch, pay attention to her timing. It’s impeccable. Even the way she holds a drink or walks across a room is dialed in. It’s a masterclass in "going for it."
Actionable Insights for Your Next Movie Night:
If you decide to watch The Wrong Missy, pair it with other "vacation gone wrong" movies for a themed marathon. Start with "Couples Retreat," move into "The Wrong Missy," and finish with "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." You’ll notice a pattern in how Hollywood uses tropical locations to strip away a character's dignity. Also, keep an eye out for the cameo by Rob Schneider—it’s a Happy Madison staple, and his character is exactly as strange as you’d expect. Finally, if you find yourself actually liking the brand of humor, check out "Murder Mystery" starring Sandler and Aniston. It’s a bit more polished but shares that same DNA of "ordinary people in extraordinary (and expensive) locations."