Worst Date, Best Date - Film Review

Worst Date, Best Date is a very funny, smart, and refreshingly original comedy that takes the blind-date premise and spins it on its head. Written by Cameron Thrower and Heather Turman, the screenplay is witty, silly, and raucous, filled with biting humor and sly observations about the chaos of first dates. What begins as a seemingly disastrous evening between Amy and Charlie - two reluctant singles pushed into a date by their grandmothers - evolves into a quirky, heartfelt romp that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with moments of truth and camaraderie.

Patrick Hilgart and Kim Perrin hit the perfect comic notes, and their chemistry crackles with frivolity and verbal daggers. They light up the screen with hilarious charm, delivering unabashedly funny performances that keep the audience thoroughly amused. Their back-and-forth banter, brazen quips, and outlandish comments - even punctuated by a few well-timed bodily “noises” - make every beat of their “worst date” feel like the best kind of rom-com magic. Their comic timing is spot-on, and their natural connection makes them a duo you can’t help but root for. Funny, heartwarming, and a total joy to watch, they truly are rom-com gold.

The film’s strength doesn’t rest on performances alone. Thrower and Turman’s writing spins the world of blind dating into something refreshingly biting and sharp, yet playful and silly at the same time. With witty exchanges, unexpected twists, and moments of sincerity woven between the chaos, the story captures both the absurdity and the honesty of two people navigating attraction, vulnerability, and fear of rejection. It is a sly romp that manages to be both outrageous and deeply relatable, a comedy that is just plain fun to watch from start to finish.

With its razor-sharp dialogue, irresistible chemistry, and an original story that keeps us laughing while tugging gently at the heart, Worst Date, Best Date turns a disastrous night into a story that is as hilarious as it is unforgettable.

"Worst Date, Best Date" won Best Comedy, Best Actress (Kim Perrin), Best Duo (Kim Perrin & Patrick Hilgart) and Best Original Story (Cameron Thrower, Heather Turman) at the 11th annual Top Shorts 2025.