Urgent Laughter: Justin Bartha’s Wild Stoned Comedy Show

High Jinks: Justin Bartha and Friends Confront a Nuclear Nightmare—And Everyone’s Stuck

Quiver Distribution didn’t just unveil a trailer; they unleashed it with a bang. ‘Nuked’ explores the wild intersection where Hollywood meets cannabis indulgence, mistaking the Netflix “Are you still watching?” prompt for an actual alarm. The audience at Tribeca erupted in excitement, while social media (okay, “X”) lit up with memes about popcorn and nuclear fallout.

The story unfolds as a group of college pals (Anna Camp, Justin Bartha, Lucy Punch—and a lineup of comedic talent ready to outshine SNL) come together for a tech-free, weed-infused dinner filled with anxiety and fear of missing out. All phones are off, and a five-course meal is loaded with cannabis. The atmosphere teeters between “Coachella in a bunker” and “Doomsday Preppers meet Hulu.” But when one friend sneaks a peek at their phone—
chaos erupts as the threat of a bomb surfaces.

Why ‘Nuked’ Stands Out in the Genre—Or Trips Over Its Own Feet

Let’s be real: Stoner comedies are as everyday in streaming as karaoke is in bars—awkward at times yet occasionally brilliant. But here’s the kicker: ‘Nuked’ draws its premise from the infamous 2018 missile alert scare in Hawaii, where many rushed to grab their last Poke bowls before the world didn’t actually end [NBC News, 2018]. Will it deliver new laughs from iconic fears, or is it merely regurgitating the past?

Here’s a wild scenario: Picture Anna Camp and Justin Bartha holed up in a bomb shelter, enjoying their 40s—while the real countdown is the high intensifying just as disaster looms. The big question? Their snacks versus the end of civilization.

Here’s a harsh comparison: envision “This Is the End” after a night with “Don’t Look Up,” directed by someone who thinks all tech devices are secretly monitoring them.

The Paranoia Pipeline: Turning Real-World Fears into Hollywood Madness

With cannabis, chaos, and calamity at its core—Deena Kashper makes her directorial debut, taking a risk: Can the real worries of impending doom translate into humor deeper than your uncle’s UFO conspiracy emails? The history runs deep: from “Dr. Strangelove” to “Pineapple Express,” Hollywood has long embraced the blend of laughter and apocalypse.

But ‘Nuked’ escalates the tension—no Hollywood A-listers parachuting in; no caped heroes. Just everyday individuals grappling with the munchies, stuck in a mansion and collectively unraveling. One festival reviewer wryly noted in a DM, “It’s like ‘Big Chill’ meets the anxiety-ridden generation. They can’t decide whether to hide or give a high-five.”

Would You Tune In—or Just Crawl Under the Table?

Is it genius or just another disaster waiting to happen? Are we looking at a future cult classic or a “please, Netflix, remove this from my recommendations”? The choice is yours.