Ricky Stanicky Review: A Comedy With More Cringe Than Chuckles

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Imagine if your friend’s husband had a phantom buddy named Ricky Stanicky, who only surfaces during crises, leaving a trail of inconvenience behind. That’s the premise of “Ricky Stanicky,” a buddy comedy directed by Peter Farrelly, known for its juvenile humor and unlikeable characters.

Dean, JT, and Wes, played by Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Jermaine Fowler, respectively, use Ricky Stanicky as a scapegoat for their irresponsible behavior since childhood. As adults, they exploit this imaginary friend to dodge responsibilities and indulge in immature antics, much to the annoyance of their partners.

The film’s attempts at humor fall flat, relying heavily on tired gags and stale banter. Even the introduction of John Cena’s character, Rod, fails to inject much-needed laughter. Despite Cena’s commendable performance, the material lacks substance, resorting to crass jokes and cheap laughs.

While Efron manages to bring some charm to his role as Dean, Santino’s JT comes off as unlikable and Fowler’s Wes serves as little more than a stoner stereotype. The film’s runtime further exacerbates its shortcomings, dragging on without delivering enough comedic payoff.

Overall, “Ricky Stanicky” fails to live up to its potential, leaving viewers with little more than a sense of discomfort and disappointment.