Starring Marisa Tomei, Ciara Bravo, and Sherry Cola, You’re Dating a Narcissist sets itself up as a fast-moving comedy with a pretty simple premise: a mom hears her daughter is about to marry a guy she barely knows and immediately decides something is very, very wrong. So she does what any overprotective, slightly chaotic parent would do—she gets on a plane and inserts herself directly into the situation.
From there, it becomes less about the guy and more about everything the mom is bringing with her—mainly a whole lot of unresolved relationship baggage.
I went in already biased in the best way because of Marisa Tomei. When she’s allowed to be playful, loud, and a little unfiltered, she’s at her best. That energy carries this role. Her character, Judy, is convinced she’s doing the right thing at every turn, even as she’s clearly crossing lines left and right. It’s not subtle, but it works because she commits fully to it.
What surprised me is how much the movie leans into the emotional undercurrent. Beneath all the jokes and over-the-top moments, there’s something more grounded happening. This isn’t only about a questionable fiancé—it’s about a mother projecting her past onto her daughter’s future. It’s about fear disguised as protection. And if you’ve ever been on either side of that dynamic, it lands a little harder than you expect.
Ciara Bravo plays the daughter caught in the middle, trying to hold onto her independence while navigating a mom who is… a lot. That tension feels real. It’s not overplayed, and it gives the story something to stand on beyond the comedy.
And then there’s Sherry Cola—who completely runs away with this movie. Her character, Diana, is technically the sidekick, but it never feels like a background role. Every time she’s on screen, things click into place. Her timing is sharp, her delivery is effortless, and the chemistry between her and Tomei brings this chaotic, slightly unhinged rhythm that the film leans on heavily. It works. Really well.
Another unexpected win here is the technical side. Going in, I wasn’t expecting much visually. This kind of comedy usually plays it safe. But there are moments—especially in the editing—where the film takes a few swings, and they pay off. Certain transitions and scene constructions stand out in a way that feels intentional, not lazy. It adds a layer that keeps things from feeling flat.
At the end of the day, You’re Dating a Narcissist knows exactly what it is. It’s funny, a little messy, and rooted in something relatable. It plays with that uncomfortable space between wanting to protect someone and needing to let them figure things out on their own. And sometimes, those two things are completely at odds.
I landed at a solid 3 out of 5 stars on this one. It’s entertaining, it has heart, and it leaves you with just enough to think about once the credits roll.
If you’re in the mood for something light that still has a bit of bite to it, this one’s worth your time.
