Finding Emily
The brief
Director Alicia MacDonald turns what could've been another forgettable campus rom-com into something surprisingly sharp and energetic, largely thanks to Angourie Rice's perfectly calibrated performance as a psychology student who's too smart for everyone around her. The film moves at a brisk clip that never lets the premise overstay its welcome, building genuine momentum as the mismatched duo's search spirals into increasingly absurd territory. Fearn brings enough earnest charm to make you root for his hopeless romantic musician without rolling your eyes too hard. If you enjoyed the ensemble chaos of Superbad mixed with the will-they-won't-they energy of When Harry Met Sally, this hits that sweet spot.
The verdict
If you're craving a smart campus romance that respects your intelligence and delivers genuine laughs without dumbing down the premise, this is a delightful surprise that earns its 111-minute runtime. If you're expecting groundbreaking innovation in the rom-com formula or can't tolerate college-aged relationship dramatics, you'll find this too familiar despite its sharper execution.
Watch with
- 👫 Perfect date night or friends group watch
- 👥 Great for rom-com fans seeking something fresh
Heads up
- Brief romantic misunderstandings and rejection (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Alicia MacDonald
- Cast
- Spike Fearn, Angourie Rice, Yali Topol Margalith, Ella Maisy Purvis, Nadia Parkes, Anthony J. Abraham, Cora Kirk
Official synopsis
When a lovesick musician is given the wrong number for his dream girl, he teams up with a driven psychology student to find her. Together, they spark a hilarious campus-wide frenzy that tests their own hearts and ambitions along the way.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Tuner (2026)
Both feature musicians navigating romantic confusion with comedic campus energy.
Total runtime: 1h 51m + 1h 47m = 3h 38m
