Spa Weekend (2026)

Spa Weekend: When the Retreat Turns into a Detour

Spa Weekend arrives with high hopes for fans of the female-led ensemble comedy, promising a raucous getaway for four lifelong friends. Directed by Scott Moore and written by Moore alongside Jon Lucas, the film leverages the undeniable chemistry of its cast—Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris—to navigate the chaotic waters of midlife burnout. However, while the premise of women escaping their responsibilities to reconnect at a luxury spa is solid, the execution often feels like a familiar rerun of tropes we've seen a dozen times before. The film aims for a balance between heartfelt bonding and slapstick disaster, but frequently stumbles in finding its own voice amidst the noise.

Performances Shine in a Familiar Script

The movie's greatest asset is its ensemble. Leslie Mann brings her signature neurotic charm, anchoring the group with a relatable desperation for order, while Isla Fisher injects the requisite chaotic energy that prevents the film from becoming too maudlin. Anna Faris, in a return to her comedic roots, and Michelle Buteau provide strong support, ensuring that the group dynamic feels lived-in rather than forced. Adam Demos, playing the character Kai, serves as the catalyst for several of the weekend's "really bad decisions," though his role feels somewhat thin compared to the depth the actresses bring to their characters. When the script allows these women to simply talk or bicker naturally, the film clicks; unfortunately, the narrative often forces them into contrived scenarios that feel more like a checklist of spa movie clichés than organic storytelling.

Direction and Tone: A Mixed Bag

Scott Moore's direction is competent but lacks the sharp edge needed to elevate the material beyond standard fare. The pacing drags in the middle act, where the "bad decisions" accumulate without escalating the stakes or the humor meaningfully. While the Australian setting provides a lush backdrop for the luxury retreat, the film's visual language doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from other genre entries. The tagline, "Friendship is a real trip," suggests a journey of self-discovery, and while the film does touch on the emotional toll of modern life, the resolution feels rushed. The 97-minute runtime could have benefited from tighter editing to trim the fat and focus on the stronger character beats. Ultimately, Spa Weekend is a watchable, if unremarkable, entry in the comedy genre that relies heavily on its cast to carry a script that doesn't always deserve their best work.