Film Title: Don’t Trip
Cast: Matthew Sato (Dev), Will Sennett (Trip), Fred Melamed (Scott Lefkowitz), Pell James (Jane), Olivia Rouyre (Monica), Chloe Cherry (Kim)
Director: Alex Kugelman
Writer: Alex Kugelman
Distribution: Buffalo 8 Distribution (Canada), Buffalo 8 Productions (United States)
Production: Lucid Rhino Productions
Release Date: November 7, 2025 (exclusively on Tubi)
Review by: Mother of Movies
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The Desperate Hustle of Hollywood’s Underbelly
Don’t Trip arrives on Tubi like that friend who shows up uninvited with questionable life choices and stays too long on your couch. Alex Kugelman’s horror-comedy follows Dev (Matthew Sato), a struggling filmmaker whose career implodes faster than a crypto influencer’s credibility. After his agent drops him for spamming industry contacts, Dev latches onto Trip (Will Sennett), the unhinged son of powerful producer Scott Lefkowitz (Fred Melamed), hoping nepotism might salvage his dreams.
The film opens with a murder sequence that feels disconnected from the main narrative, a woman with conspicuous lip fillers exploring a mansion before meeting her demise. This jarring introduction sets the tone for a movie that struggles to find its footing between genres, like someone trying to walk in platform shoes after a night out.
When Desperation Meets Dysfunction
Dev’s journey from rejected screenwriter to Trip’s reluctant companion unfolds with the pacing of a three-legged race. The central relationship hinges on Dev’s willingness to endure Trip’s increasingly erratic behavior, from impromptu camping trips to juvenile pranks involving mannequins and fake murders. Will Sennett commits fully to Trip’s manic energy, delivering a performance that teeters between genuinely unsettling and cartoonishly over-the-top.
The humor relies heavily on physical comedy, think endless groin kicks and taquito-based innuendo that lands with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Some viewers might find Trip’s sexually charged provocations hilarious, but the comedy often feels more juvenile than clever. Like watching someone slip on a banana peel repeatedly, it’s either your thing or it isn’t.
Industry Commentary Wrapped in Chaos
Beneath the crude humor lies a legitimate critique of Hollywood’s power structures. Dev’s girlfriend articulates the industry’s brutal reality: you’re only valuable when you’re hot, and one complaint can end your career permanently. This commentary feels authentic, especially in an era where industry gatekeepers wield disproportionate influence over creative careers.
The film’s exploration of nepotism through Trip’s character adds another layer of social observation. As Dev uncovers disturbing reports about Trip’s violent tendencies that his father buried, the narrative touches on how wealth and connections can obscure dangerous behavior. It’s a theme that resonates with real-world industry scandals, though the execution lacks the finesse to fully capitalize on these insights.
Technical Execution and Performance Notes
Kugelman’s direction shows ambition constrained by budget limitations. The cinematography captures the sprawling mansion effectively in the opening sequence, but struggles with pacing throughout. Scenes feel oddly arranged, with beats that don’t quite land, particularly the front driveway encounter that transforms inexplicably from confrontation to bonding moment.
Matthew Sato brings earnest desperation to Dev, though the character’s decision-making often defies logic. Pell James delivers solid work as the frustrated girlfriend, while Olivia Rouyre provides grounded support as Monica. The real disappointment comes with Fred Melamed’s limited screen time; his presence in the final ten minutes feels like a missed opportunity, given his proven ability to elevate material through sheer charismatic authority.
The Verdict on Crowdfunded Chaos
Don’t Trip succeeds more as industry commentary than horror-comedy, though neither element fully realizes its potential. The film’s heart lies in its critique of Hollywood’s power dynamics and the lengths desperate creatives will go to secure their break. While the execution stumbles, there’s genuine passion behind the project that deserves acknowledgment.
For viewers seeking sophisticated horror-comedy, this might feel like settling for gas station sushi. But for those interested in low-budget filmmaking that tackles industry themes with unfiltered honesty, Don’t Trip offers enough substance to justify its runtime. Just don’t expect the laughs to come easily or the horror to raise the hairs on your arm.
Don’t Trip is rated
2 out of 5 Desperate measures for desperate times, but sometimes desperation isn’t enough.
Industry Chaos & Crude Comedy
Don’t Trip tackles Hollywood nepotism through the lens of desperate filmmaker meets unhinged producer’s son. While the industry commentary hits home, the juvenile humor and pacing issues keep it from reaching its potential. ** Mother of Movies
Streaming Options for Nepo Baby Nightmare’s New Title Don’t Trip 2025
Similar Films with Hollywood Ethics:
- Bowfinger (1999) – Desperate filmmaker using questionable methods to make his movie
- Maps to the Stars (2014) – Dark satire of Hollywood nepotism and dysfunction
- The Disaster Artist (2017) – Industry outsiders navigating Hollywood’s bizarre power structures
- The Player (1992) – Industry insider critique wrapped in genre filmmaking
Low-budget movies where fame isn’t the answer:
- Followers (2024) – Influencers, found footage, and horror.
- Older (2020) – Drama that revolves around dreams and making them happen
- Stalkers (2025) – Horror movie about the dark side of fame
- The Bearded Girl (2025) – Sometimes the family you have turns out to be all the fame you need
Film Trailer for Nepo Baby (Don’t Trip 2025)
