Full Breakdown
The Wrong Girls: A New Stoner Comedy Lands in Theaters
8/13/2026, 12:16:34 AM
Core Event
*The Wrong Girls* is a stoner-comedy feature written and directed by Dylan Meyer, starring Kristen Stewart as Frankie and Alia Shawkat as Molly. The Los Angeles roommates, both chronic cannabis users, mistakenly acquire a briefcase with an experimental psychedelic drug. After ingesting it, they gain telepathic communication with each other and their cats (voiced by Seth Rogen and Kumail Nanjiani) and develop limited telekinetic abilities. Their attempt to sell the drug to pay overdue rent triggers a chase involving a Danish pharmaceutical company, U.S. government interest, and a trio of white-suited henchmen. The film opens nationwide in U.S. and Canadian theatres on August 14, 2026.
Background & Context
Stoner comedies have traditionally been male-led; *The Wrong Girls* is positioned as a “female-fronted” entry to address that gap (Daily Beast). Meyer, a first-time director and Stewart’s spouse, cites influences from 1980s cult sci-fi (*Repo Man*) to 1990s female-friendship comedies (*Dick*, *Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion*) and classic weed-culture films such as *The Big Lebowski* and *Smiley Face* (Los Angeles Times). Production is handled by Meyer’s Nevermind Pictures in partnership with Neon, the distributor behind *Parasite* and *Anora*.
Data & Statistics
- Release date: August 14, 2026
- Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes
- Rating: R (U.S.)
- Distributor: Neon
- Key cast: Kristen Stewart (Frankie), Alia Shawkat (Molly), LaKeith Stanfield, Kate McKinnon, Tony Hale, Seth Rogen (voice), Kumail Nanjiani (voice), Geena Davis
Official Statements & Responses
Director Dylan Meyer described the tone as “subversive” because “a lot of people don’t get along with weed.” She said the movie “captures your curiosity and imagination” without trying to “posit a very particular thing” into culture. Shawkat praised the script’s structure, calling it “amazing” despite its “dumb and playful” surface.
Criticism & Opposition
A review in The Daily Beast argued the film “proves a slapdash buzzkill,” criticizing its pacing, lack of “sticky-icky humor,” and “forced” performances, particularly from Stewart. The piece suggested the movie’s “low-fi energy” and “phoniness” undermine its intended subversive edge, making the comedy feel “tedious” even under the influence.
Verbatim Quotes
What’s Next
The theatrical rollout begins on August 14, 2026 across select U.S. and Canadian venues, with Neon handling distribution. No sequels or follow-up projects have been announced.
