Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (2023)
Director: Paul Briganti
Screenwriters: Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, Ben Marshall
Starring: Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, Ben Marshall, Conan O’Brien, John Goodman, Bowen Yang
Please Don’t Destroy, the New York comedy trio made up of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, skyrocketed from viral SNL shorts to a full-length feature with Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain. After debuting on Saturday Night Live with sketches like “Hard Seltzer,” the group has built a distinct comedic voice characterized by manic edits, absurd premises and affectionate chemistry. Their first feature film translates that style into a narrative framework, asking whether sketch-based comedy can successfully expand to a longer format while retaining its energy and originality.
The film opens with John Goodman narrating the legend behind the treasure: a priceless bust of Marie Antoinette, valued at $100 million, was hidden on Foggy Mountain by a French explorer named Jean Pierre La Roche. The key to the treasure—an ornate golden compass—was discovered by the three boys when they were children. Fast-forward fifteen years and we meet Ben, John and Martin in a chaotic morning sequence that blends mundane routines with escalating absurdity: roller skates, sloppy breakfasts and unexpected detours into juvenile behavior. This establishes both the trio’s chemistry and the film’s willingness to bend reality for laughs.
Their day job—working at a small store owned by Ben’s father, played by Conan O’Brien—sets the stakes. Ben wants to win his father’s approval and one day take over the business. Martin wrestles with relationship decisions and an upcoming adult baptism intended to please his girlfriend. John, adrift and unmotivated, fears losing his friends as their lives head in different directions. When John suggests they hunt for the Foggy Mountain treasure together, the film’s central quest begins: a road story that is equal parts treasure hunt and an exploration of friendship, loyalty and identity.
Structurally, the story follows familiar beats: conflict among friends, a separation, individual growth, and a final reconciliation. That predictability could be a weakness, but the movie counters it by leaning into the trio’s strengths. The humor remains skewed, fast and often meta, but the plot provides a more accessible spine for casual viewers. Fans of the troupe will recognize the sketch-like sequences woven into the narrative—a series of mini set pieces that recur and build toward the film’s climax.
Editing is one of the film’s primary assets. It preserves Please Don’t Destroy’s signature rapid-fire pacing, deploying jump cuts, sight gags and sudden tonal shifts to create constant surprise. That kinetic editing style helps maintain momentum across a runtime that could otherwise feel stretched. Seemingly separate bits—an opportunistic park ranger, a zealous cult, a flirtation with a sassy hawk—return throughout the film and eventually interlock into a coherent whole, echoing the structure of classic silent comedies that stitched together short set pieces to form a feature-length narrative.
Acting-wise, Marshall, Higgins and Herlihy are the film’s beating heart. Playing versions of themselves, they bring natural chemistry and a palpable affection for each other that sells both the jokes and the emotional beats. Their performances are consistently committed, and their brand of oddball humor feels effortless in their hands. Supporting players, including Conan O’Brien and John Goodman, add welcome texture and veteran presence without overshadowing the trio.
The movie is not necessarily aimed at a mainstream audience. Those unfamiliar with Please Don’t Destroy’s comedic rhythm may find the film’s delivery off-putting; the eccentric timing and vocal stylings that delight fans can distance new viewers. Still, for followers of the trio, the film delivers an abundance of original set pieces, memorable visual gags and moments of genuine warmth. It’s a movie that prioritizes the group’s voice above easy, broad comedy beats.
Where the film succeeds is in translating sketch energy into a longer form without losing the trio’s identity. It does not reinvent the comedy-feature playbook nor does it promise to become a cultural touchstone on par with certain SNL-based classics, but it builds on the trio’s established strengths and offers a cohesive, lively experience. The Treasure of Foggy Mountain feels like a love letter to fans and a confident first feature from performers still defining their cinematic language.
Overall, Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain is a spirited, well-paced film that highlights the trio’s comedic range and chemistry. It’s best enjoyed by viewers who already appreciate their brand of humor, though curious newcomers who enjoy rapid editing, absurdist setups and sincere friendships on screen will find plenty to like. The film makes a strong case that Please Don’t Destroy can carry a feature and leaves room to hope their next movie expands their ambition even further.
Score: 18/24
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.