No Hard Feelings (2023)
Director: Gene Stupnitsky
Screenwriters: Gene Stupnitsky, John Phillips
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Matthew Broderick, Natalie Morales
When acclaimed actors step into comedic roles, the outcome can range from quietly effective to unexpectedly brilliant. Gene Stupnitsky’s No Hard Feelings lands closer to the latter, largely because of Jennifer Lawrence’s fearless, energetic performance. The film is a raunchy, adult-oriented comedy that mixes awkward situations with genuine emotional moments, testing audience comfort while offering sly, character-driven humor.
Set in the summer town of Montauk, New York, the story follows Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence), a woman in her thirties who clings to her coastal hometown and the house her mother left her. Maddie juggles a job at a beachside bar and work as an Uber driver, struggling with bills and the constant pressure of adulthood. When financial trouble threatens her car and livelihood, she answers an unusual classified: a well-meaning couple is looking for someone to help their socially anxious 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), gain confidence before college. They offer money and even a car for someone willing to date him and ease his transition to adult life.
Maddie, who adopts a brazen “maneater” persona, sees this as an opportunity for fast cash. What begins as a transactional arrangement quickly becomes more complicated. The setup intentionally courts controversy—an older woman paid to seduce a teenager—so the film spends much of its energy navigating the ethical and emotional terrain of that premise. Rather than glorifying exploitative behavior, the movie frames Maddie’s actions as messy, humiliating, and awkward, repeatedly highlighting her vulnerabilities and the social inappropriateness of the situation.
Jennifer Lawrence is the engine that keeps the film grounded. Her comedic timing, willingness to embrace physical comedy, and readiness to make her character look foolish are all on vivid display. Lawrence turns Maddie into a fully realized person rather than a mere gimmick: she’s desperate, sharp, self-deprecating, and surprisingly tender beneath her loud bravado. This balance prevents the film from becoming a one-note provocation.
Andrew Barth Feldman’s Percy is an effective counterpoint to Maddie’s chaotic energy. He embodies a sheltered, lonely young man who wants more than casual encounters; he yearns for connection, understanding, and a sense of confidence that will carry him into adulthood. Feldman’s performance makes Percy sympathetic rather than simply awkward, and the film allows their awkward, unlikely bond to evolve into something more meaningful than the circumstances that brought them together.
The screenplay follows familiar romantic-comedy beats—awkward first meetings, awkward attempts at intimacy, and a final reconciliation that ties emotional knots—but Stupnitsky’s direction and the leads’ chemistry lift those tropes. The film is at its best when it leans into genuine character moments: Maddie’s insecurity about aging and belonging, Percy’s fear of the world outside his safety net, and the small, honest instances where they each reveal who they really are.
Critics have raised valid concerns about the film’s premise and whether it inadvertently glamorizes questionable behavior. The movie courts discomfort on purpose, and some scenes are designed to make audiences squirm. Yet the film consistently frames the arrangement as wrong-headed and embarrassing rather than admirable. Many of the jokes land by making Maddie the subject of ridicule—highlighting her failures and poor judgment instead of turning her into a celebrated fantasy figure.
No Hard Feelings is not a perfect film. It doesn’t reinvent the romantic-comedy wheel and it occasionally relies on familiar patterns and predictable turns. At times the pacing flags and some subplots feel thin, but the strengths outweigh these weaknesses. With sharp comedic beats, heartfelt performances, and a willingness to engage with uncomfortable material, the movie earns its moments of warmth and levity.
Overall, this is a film likely to divide viewers: some will be put off by the premise, while others will appreciate a bold, adult comedy led by a powerhouse performer. For those willing to accept its cruder elements in exchange for honest emotional payoffs and consistently funny moments, No Hard Feelings offers a surprisingly humane take on an outrageous setup.
Score: 15/24
Written by John McDonald
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