Gail Daughtry And The Celebrity Sex Pass ★★★

Released: 10 July 2026 (US)/TBC (UK)

Director: David Wain

Starring: Zoey Deutch, Michael Cassidy, Jon Hamm, Tony Slattery, Caleb Wang, Miles Gutierrez-Riley

Fresh from its festival run at the 2026 edition of Tribeca Film Festival, after premiering earlier this year at Sundance, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass is a riotous riff on The Wizard of Oz and spoof comedies such as The Nice Guys and The Naked Gun that rarely make their way to modern day audiences. It is a type of Indecent Proposal conversation starter for the new generation, played for laughs, inviting self-reflection as to whether given the chance, it is acceptable or not to act on a celebrity sex pass.

Setting the initial tone is an endearing montage, resembling a similar scene from Up, unveiling photographs – with a The Wizard of Oz Easter egg, charting the relationship, of the eponymous Gail (Zoey Deutch), from innocent one liner love letters up to Gail and her fiancé Tom’s (Michael Cassidy) first date leading to their anticipated wedding plans. So far, so good as a simple but effective introduction to the couple. Simultaneously, this opening scene wordlessly creates that sense of forever for a couple of childhood sweethearts. As a tool – it works and creates that automatic investment and endearment towards a couple only known via their Hallmark moments captured within these photo memories. This does, unfortunately, set audiences up with an expectation of a predictable rom-com, after this impression of a nauseatingly, cutesy couple!

Yet, the film delves straight into its titular concept – that of the celebrity sex pass. Although, its insertion occurs somewhat clumsily – during a gossipy session at the hairdressing salon in which Gail works – her colleague Otto raises the question and invites both Gail and the audience to ponder a response of its appropriateness within a romantic relationship. But, Gail and Tom’s discussion of the topic seems rather insipid as it disappointingly remains conflict free!

Fortunately, the film changes tack to develop into an unpredictable, absurdist, follow the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ trip! Gail decides to subvert the traditional celebrity sex pass concept by following Otto to a hairdressing convention in Los Angeles before her wedding day. What Gail does not anticipate, and neither does the audience, is a wild journey following a recommendation to seek revenge to balance her life. Slapstick highs and lows materialise within Gail’s quest for discovery filled with hilarious comedic adventure during an unexpected road trip!

To describe Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass as a mash up frenzy, would be an understatement! The film firmly pokes its tongue in its cheek at the world of Hollywood and traverses many genres whilst Gail journeys from small town Kansas to LA with her band of merry men, that she encounters en route. Audiences will be unable to avoid laughing out loud at some of the silly moments but the film does not take itself seriously to provide this refreshing portrait of a determined female lead. Deutch rises to the occasion displaying tremendous range within the past year after her impressive turn in Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague and the recent Voicemails for Isabelle. Her impressive comedic timing is a delight to watch as she confronts the many genre changes thrust upon her as Gail Daughtry. The film does not lose sight of its heroine’s needs and wants within this unusual approach to a tale of self-discovery.

There are several blink and you’ll miss them cameo appearances, as whilst the film may be blunt in its method there is no denying that the cast look as though they are having a ball! Reuniting Mad Men co-stars John Hamm and Tony Slattery, playing themselves, as well as a plethora of other film and TV stars, this is a wild ride from start to finish! The film will undoubtedly find its tribe with its irreverent perspective!

Director David Wain certainly dials up the comedy within this rom-com with a difference! The comedy influences from the ‘90s MTV sketch The State are evident as Wain was a part of that troupe. As such, the humour remains the focus as the film flits effortlessly between being a romance, travel story, homage to Hollywood filmmaking, a Western, a horror and more – in its bid to defy conventions!

With its film release scheduled between the summer holiday blockbusters, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass will offer that comic relief with its absurdist take! Love or loathe some of its cringe inducing moments, the film does, at least, provide audiences with a hilarious break from the norm, within its Wizard of Oz twist, and showcases Deutch’s versatility!