The Wrong Girls (2026): Meyer's Twisted Thriller Review

It’s not every day that a romantic relationship directly spawns a movie project, but that’s exactly what happened with The Wrong Girls. The upcoming comedy, which hits theaters on August 14, marks the feature directorial debut of Dylan Meyer - and she’s got her fiancée, Kristen Stewart, starring in not one but two roles. The film is a genuine passion project born from their personal and creative partnership, and the backstory is as delightfully chaotic as the premise suggests.

For those unfamiliar with the plot, The Wrong Girls follows two deeply codependent best friends - played by Stewart and Alia Shawkat - who are barely scraping by, surviving on meager paychecks and plenty of bong rips. Their already messy lives get completely upended when a case of mistaken identity hurls them into a spiraling adventure they never asked for. It’s a buddy-comedy with a punk-rock soul, and it carries the fingerprints of both Stewart and Meyer all over it.

From private life to public project

Stewart and Meyer’s relationship has been a favorite topic among fans since they went public in 2019, but their collaboration on this film goes back even further than their engagement. In interviews leading up to the release, both women have been refreshingly open about how the project started as an inside joke between them. Meyer, who has carved out a name for herself as a screenwriter and producer, reportedly pitched the concept to Stewart during a casual conversation - something that started as a laugh about the kind of low-rent, deadpan comedy they both love. From that spark, a full script emerged.

It’s a rare thing in Hollywood for a couple to work so closely on a project of this scale, especially when one partner is directing the other. But Stewart has made it clear she felt completely safe in Meyer’s hands. The Twilight alum has always thrived in offbeat, character-driven fare, and stepping into the dual role of Frankie and Frances gave her a chance to show off her range in a way she hasn’t in years. Playing twin-like characters who are technically different people but share a chaotic energy? That’s the kind of challenge Stewart seems to relish.

A stacked cast of scene-stealers

Beyond the central duo, The Wrong Girls boasts a supporting cast that reads like a who’s who of comedy’s cool kids. LaKeith Stanfield shows up as Not Metal Head Dave - yes, that’s the actual character name - while Zack Fox, Tony Hale, and Chris Estrada round out the mayhem. There’s also a pair of actors credited as Axel and Dagmar, played by Thomas La Barbera Christensen and Thor Knai, hinting at some international flair in the story’s tangled web of mistaken identity.

The film’s tone sits somewhere between stoner comedy and crime caper, with a distinctly modern edge. Stewart and Shawkat have undeniable chemistry, and early buzz from test screenings suggests their dynamic is the movie’s beating heart. Shawkat, known for her work on Search Party and Arrested Development, has a natural gift for playing lovable messes, making her the perfect foil to Stewart’s more manic energy.

More than just a vanity project

It would be easy to write off The Wrong Girls as a couple’s passion project with no commercial ambition, but that undersells what Meyer and Stewart have actually done here. The film has a sharp, self-aware script that doesn’t shy away from the absurdity of its premise. It’s also shot with a scrappy, indie sensibility that feels refreshing in a summer dominated by franchise blockbusters.

Meyer’s directing style reportedly leaned heavily on improvisation, letting her cast find the humor in the moment rather than sticking rigidly to the page. That approach clearly paid off - the chemistry among the ensemble feels loose and lived-in, like these are people who genuinely know each other. And while the plot is built on a ridiculous misunderstanding, the emotional core is grounded: it’s about friendship, loyalty, and the lengths we go to for the people who make life worth living, even when those people are totally chaotic.

A celebration of collaboration

For fans of Stewart’s career, The Wrong Girls represents another bold swing in a filmography that’s increasingly defined by interesting choices. She’s oscillated between prestige dramas and genre experiments for years, but there’s something especially personal about this one. It’s a movie she made with the woman she loves, in a genre they both adore, with the freedom to take risks.

The timing also feels notable. With the film arriving just over a year after their quiet wedding, The Wrong Girls functions as a kind of creative love letter between the pair. It’s not a romance, but it’s certainly a tribute to partnership in all its messy, ridiculous glory.

The film’s current TMDb score of zero might suggest it hasn’t been widely reviewed yet, but that’s about to change rapidly once audiences get a look at it. With a runtime of 99 minutes, it’s a lean, punchy comedy that knows exactly what it wants to be. Whether it becomes a cult classic or a mainstream hit remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: nobody else could have made this movie, and that’s precisely what makes it worth watching.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter